Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effects of acoustic barriers and crosswind on the operating performance of evaporative cooling tower groups

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Most evaporative cooling towers are arranged on building roof due to the limitation of space and noise, and acoustic barriers are always installed around cooling towers in practical applications. The existence of acoustic barriers and crosswind may affect the recirculation phenomenon which is directly related to the operating performance of cooling towers. In this study, a physical and mathematical computation model is proposed to research the crosswind and distance between acoustic barriers and inlet of cooling towers. Both sensible and latent heat are considered in this research. The reflux flow rate and performance ratio are obtained to evaluate the recirculation and operating performance, respectively. The results show that the higher the crosswind velocity, the larger the reflux flow rate, and the lower the performance ratio of cooling tower groups. For high crosswind velocity, the presence of acoustic barriers is useful to inhibit reflux and improve operating performance, especially for ICE cooling tower groups. In addition, the optimum values are recommended for LiBr/ICE cooling tower groups in the research cases The variation of reflux flow rate and performance ratio with the acoustic barriers’ distance presents a parabolic tendency.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. F. Hundy, A. R. Trott, T. C. Welch.: Chapter 6 -Condensers and Cooling Towers. Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (Fourth Edition), pp. 74–90, (2008).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  2. L. J. Yang, X. Z. Du, Y. P. Yang.: Wind effect on the thermo-flow performances and its decay characteristics for air-cooled condensers in a power plant, International Journal of Thermal Sciences, vol.53, pp.175–187, (2012).

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  3. G. Barigozzi, A. Perdichizzi, S. Ravelli.: Performance prediction and optimization of a waste-to-energy cogeneration plant with combined wet and dry cooling system, Applied Energy, vol.115, pp.65–74, (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Hongfang Gu, Haijun Wang, Yuqian Gu, Jianan Yao.: A numerical study on the mechanism and optimization of wind-break structures for indirect air-cooling towers, Energy Conversion and Management, vol.108, pp.43–49, (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lihua Liu, Xiaoze Du, Xinming Xi, Lijun Yang, Yongping Yang.: Experimental analysis of parameter influences on the performances of direct air cooled power generating unit, Energy, vol.56, pp.117–123, (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Lei Chen, Lijun Yang, Xiaoze Du, Yongping Yang.: A novel layout of air-cooled condensers to improve thermoflow performances, Applied Energy, vol.165, pp.244–259, (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Marshall Long.: 13-Noise in Mechanical Systems, Architectural Acoustics (Second Edition), pp. 495–528, (2014).

    Google Scholar 

  8. R. M. Ellis.: Cooling tower noise generation and radiation, Journal of Sound and Vibration, vol.14, pp.171–182, (1971).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. L. Schaudinischky, A. Schwartz.: Noise control of air conditioning cooling towers, Heat Transfer, pp. 509–514, (1971).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  10. Wojciech Zalewski, Piotr Antoni Gryglaszewski.: Mathematical model of heat and mass transfer processes in evaporative fluid coolers, Chemical Engineering and Processing, vol.36, pp.271–280, (1997).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Boris Halasz.: A general mathematical model of evaporative cooling devices, Revue Générale De Thermique, vol.37, pp.245–255, (1998).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Sergey Anisimov, Demis Pandelidis, Jan Danielewicz.: Numerical study and optimization of the combined indirect evaporative air cooler for air-conditioning systems, Energy, vol.80, pp.452–464, (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Pascal Stabat, Dominique Marchio.: Simplified model for indirect-contact evaporative cooling-tower behavior, Applied Energy, vol.78, pp.433–451, (2004).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. S. V. Bedekar, P. Nithiarasu, K. N. Seetharamu.: Experimental investigation of the performance of a counter-flow, packed-bed mechanical cooling tower, Energy, vol.23, pp.943–947, (1998).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. M. Lemouari, M. Boumaza, A. Kaabi.: Experimental investigation of the hydraulic characteristics of a counter flow wet cooling tower, Energy, vol.36, pp.5815–5823, (2011).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. D. Kang, R. K. Strand.: Modeling of simultaneous heat and mass transfer within passive down-draft evaporative cooling (PDEC) towers with spray in FLUENT, Energy and Buildings, vol.62, pp.196–209, (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. A. Chahine, P. Matharan, D. Wendum, L. Musson-Genon, R. Bresson, B. Carissimo.: Modeling atmospheric effects on performance and plume dispersal from natural draft wet cooling towers, Journal of Wind Engineering & Industrial Aerodynamics, vol.136, pp.151–164, (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Yuanshen Lu, Zhiqiang Guan, Hal Gurgenci, Kamel Hooman, Suoying He, Desikan Bharathan.: Experimental study of crosswind effects on the performance of small cylindrical natural draft dry cooling towers, Energy Conversion and Management, vol.91, pp.238–248, (2015).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Z. Zhai, S. Fu.: Improving cooling efficiency of drycooling towers under cross-wind conditions by using windbreak methods, Applied Thermal Engineering, vol.26, pp.1008–1017, (2006).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Y. Lu, Z. Guan, H. Gurgenci, Z. Zou.: Windbreak walls reverse the negative effect of crosswind in short natural draft dry cooling towers into a performance enhancement, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol.63, pp.162–170, (2013).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. J. H. Lee, M. Moshfeghi, Y. K. Choi.: A numerical simulation on recirculation phenomena of the plume generated by obstacles around a row of cooling towers, Applied Thermal Engineering, vol.72, pp.10–19, (2014).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. N. W. Kelly.: Kelly’s Handbook of Crossflow Cooling Tower Performance, Neil. W. Kelly and Associates, Kansas City, Mo, (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  23. J. M. Wu, X. Huang, H. Zhang.: Theoretical analysis on heat and mass transfer in a direct evaporative cooler, Applied Thermal Engineering, vol.29, pp.980–984, (2009).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Bourhan Tashtousha, Mahmood Tahat, Ahmed Al-Hayajneh, Victor A. Mazur, Doug Probert.: Thermodynamic behaviour of an air-conditioning system employing combined evaporative-water and air coolers, Applied Energy, vol.70, pp.305–319, (2001).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff, Nicholas P. Cheremisinoff.: Evaporative Cooling Equipment, Handbook of Chemical Processing Equipment, pp. 65–93, (2000).

    Google Scholar 

  26. Stephen Hall. Cooling Towers.: Branan's Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers (Fifth Edition), pp. 182–189, (2012).

    Google Scholar 

  27. B. R. Becker, J. W. E. Stewart, T. M. Walter.: A numerical model of cooling tower plume recirculation, Mathematical and Computer Modelling, vol.12, pp.799–819, (1989).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. L. J. Yang, M. H. Wang, X. Z. Du.: Trapezoidal array of air-cooled condensers to restrain the adverse impacts of ambient winds in a power plant, Applied Energy, pp. vol. 99: 402–413, (2012).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. A. F. Du Preez, D. G. Kröger.: Effect of wind on performance of a dry-cooling tower, Heat Recovery Systems & Chp, vol.13, pp.139–146, (1993).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. J. A. Curry.: THERMODYNAMICS | Moist (Unsaturated) Air, Encyclopedia of Atmospheric Sciences, pp. 2274–2278, (2003).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  31. Zhihang Song.: Numerical cooling performance evaluation of fan-assisted perforations in a raised-floor data center, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, vol.95, pp.833–842, (2016).

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Thermal Engineering, School of Mechanical, Electronic and Control Engineering, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing, 100044, China

    Chao Dang, Li Jia & Lixin Yang

  2. Beijing Key Laboratory of Flow and Heat Transfer of Phase Changing in Micro and Small Scale, Beijing, 100044, China

    Chao Dang, Li Jia & Lixin Yang

Authors
  1. Chao Dang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Li Jia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lixin Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dang, C., Jia, L. & Yang, L. Effects of acoustic barriers and crosswind on the operating performance of evaporative cooling tower groups. J. Therm. Sci. 25, 532–541 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-016-0895-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-016-0895-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation