Cooling Towers

In Cooling Towers , you'll learn ...

• Learn the operational theory and principles of an evaporative cooling tower
• Understand the functions of various components of cooling towers
• Understand the water distribution mechanisms, noise and vibration issues
• Learn the importance of cooling water treatment

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 7 PDH

Length: 69 pages

The machines and processes of industry, as well as the air-conditioning systems for buildings generate tremendous amounts of heat, which must be continuously dissipated if these machines and processes are to continue to operate efficiently. Water cooling is the most efficient method of dissipating heat.

A cooling tower is a device used in industry to cool hot water (by partial evaporation) before reusing it as a coolant. Water directly contacts surrounding air and a very small part (1-2%) evaporates. This evaporation increases the air temperature and humidity and decreases the temperature of the water making it possible to cool below the normal air temperature. Although this heat is usually transferred to a cool, flowing volume of water, final rejection is always to the atmosphere and, invariably, is accomplished by some form of heat exchanger.

The amount of cooling that you get from a cooling tower depends on the relative humidity of the air and the barometric pressure. For example, the more humid the climate the lesser will be the temperature drop and vice versa.

Cooling towers are classified according to the means employed for producing air circulation through them. The towers vary in size from small roof-top units to very large hyperbolic structures that can be over 120 meters tall and 100 meters in length. Smaller towers are normally factory-built, while larger units are site constructed.

This seven-hour online course provides comprehensive information on cooling water systems and describes different types of cooling towers, their mechanical components and the problems associated with cooling water.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the operating theory and principles of an evaporative cooling tower.
• Identify the functions of the major components of a cooling tower.
• Describe cooling-tower water-distribution mechanisms and common noise and vibration issues.
• Explain the importance of cooling-water treatment.
• Calculate evaporation rate, fresh-water makeup, and blowdown requirements using the equations presented in the course.
• Compare different types of heat-rejection systems.
• Identify the factors that affect cooling-tower performance.
• Describe the materials commonly used in cooling-tower construction.
• Compare common cooling-tower control options.
• Explain cooling-tower layout and installation considerations.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 35 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.