Heat Transfer Process in Cooling Tower

Cooling tower runs on the basic concept- evaporation condensation and exchange of sensible heat. Both the air and water inside the tower releases latent heat of vaporization. In this process certain amount of liquid is converted into gaseous state thereby releasing the latent heat of vaporization

The water in gaseous state which goes up to the cooling tower is discharged into the atmosphere as hot moist vapor. Experts mentioned that under normal operating conditions, the amount of discharged vapor is approximately 1.2 % for each 10 degree F cooling range.

The heat that changes temperature also determines the performance of cooling tower in operation mode. When water is warmer than the air, there is a tendency for the air to cool the water. The air then gets hotter as it gains the sensible heat of the water and the water is cooled as its heat goes into the air.

Elaborate meaning of heat transfer in cooling tower system can be understood only with practical visit on site. An operator can also explain the relation between heat transfer and cooling tower performance. It's better to take a chance!