COUNTERFLOW VS CROSSFLOW

In a counterflow tower, the air is drawn up In a crossflow tower, cooling air is drawn in
from the bottom of the tower, and mixes From the sides of the cooling and moves
with the falling water over the entire Horizontally through the fill. This air mixes
height of the tower. at right angles to the falling water.
 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

• Very low drift loss • High drift loss

• Less water & chemical consumption. • Expose to sunlight. High algae growth.
 COOLING TOWER PERFORMANCE

A B
A
B C D

• Even water distribution. • Uneven

• A – Slightly hot air meets hot water.
• B – Cold air meets slightly cold water.
U water
t didistribution
t ib ti due
d tot
non-uniformity of air velocity & static pressure.
• A – Cold air meets hot water.
• B – Slightly hot air meets hot water.
water
• C – Cold air meets slightly cold water.
• D – Slightly hot air meets slightly cold water.
 PIPING COST

• Easy piping arrangement. • More piping material

• Low installation cost q
• Require extra valve
 RECIRCULATION

Distance between fan discharge and Fan discharge to louver is very near
louver is far apart.
 MAINTENANCE & SAFETY CONSIDERATION
COMPARISONS BETWEEN CROSSFLOW & COUNTERFLOW
LOUVER
• Cold water basin open, easier for cleaning
by remove out the louver blade.
• Infill life span longer.
• Low drift loss, tendency for Legionnaire
disease reduce.
INFILL
ACCESS
DOOR
• Fillingg cover part
p of cold water basin,,
difficult to clean by access in the tower.
• Infill expose to sunlight and cause formation
of silica. Infill cleaning was required and
tend to reduce infill life span.
• High drift loss, tendency for Legionnaire
disease higher when access in for cleaning.
• The internal part of tower is slippery and hence
prone to fall & accidents inside the tower.
 SUMMARY
Counterflow Crossflow

Heat transfer capabilities - High - Low

Environmental Impact - Low drift loss - Usually high drift loss
- Less water & chemical - More for same work
consumption
ti
Recirculation - No tendency - High tendency
Fan horsepower - Usually less required - More hp for same work
Floor area - Usually less required - More floor area for same work
Maintenance -Cold water basin open easy to -Filling cover part of cold water
clean basin, difficult to clean
- Infill life span longer - Infill life span shorter
- Tendency for Legionnaire disease - Tendency for Legionnaire
lower. disease higher
Initial cost Larger capacity tower, less Cost more for same work
Noise level Water falling noise, higher Quieter