OBJECTIVES OF THE EXPERIMENT:

The objectives of the experiment were based exclusively on operating the cooling tower to collect the
relevant raw data which included the inlet and outlet temperatures together with the water flow rate as
well as the wet bulb and dry bulb temperatures of the inlet and outlet air streams.

In conjunction with collecting the raw data as stated above, the first objective was based on determining
the minimum air flow rate whilst the second objective was based on graphically drawing the operating line
for the cooling tower at the current operations.
 EXPERIMENTAL DATA:

THE FOLLOWING EXPERIMENTAL DATA WERE COLLECTED DURING CONDUCTING THE

EXPERIMENT WHICH IS SHOWN IN THE TABLE BELOW:

DATA COLLECTION SHEET WITHOUT SUPERHEAT

LOAD 1 2 3
AIR (wet bulb) in (°C) 17.6 17.3 17
% Relative Humidity – in (%) 43.9 48 46
AIR (wet bulb) out (°C) 22.5 22 18
% Relative Humidity – out (% 65.2 70 56
COOLING WATER (T out) (°C) 21.5 22 22.9
COOLING WATER (T in) (°C) 42.5 45 51
COOLING WATER FLOW (s) 29 30 33

The Flow Meter was read using the gauge - 0.001 m3 / revolution = 1 L / revolution

IN ORDER TO COLLECT THE RAW DATA DEPICTED ABOVE, THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURE
WAS FOLLOWED IN THE LABORATORY UTILIZING THE COOLING TOWER EQUIPMENT:

1. Firstly the cooling tower was allowed to reach a steady state in which the operating conditions
were determined for a given cooling water flow rate.
2. When steady state has been reached, the inlet and outlet temperatures were recorded together
with the water flow rate.
3. The wet bulb and dry bulb temperature of the inlet and outlet air streams were also measured
utilizing a digital hygrometer.
4. Once the relevant raw data were gathered, the results were calculated using the appropriate
equations that are applied to a cooling tower.
BELOW IS A PIPING AND INSTRUMENTATION DIAGRAM OF THE EQUIPMENT
USED WHICH IS THE COOLING TOWER:

G2 L2

TG2 TL2 Water

H2

HY2

TG L

TL

G1

T G1 L1

Ht T L1

H Y1
WHERE:

L represents the water flow rate in Kg/sec

TL2 is the temperature of the entering water in °C

TL1 is the temperature of the exiting water in °C

G represents the air flow rate

TG1 is the temperature of the entering air in °C

TG1 is the temperature of the exiting air in °C

H is the humidity of the air (Kg water/ Kg dry air)

HY is the enthalpy of air-water vapour mixture (Kj/Kg dry air)

THEORY EQUATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO CALCULATE THE RESULTS:

1. Enthalpy of Air-Water Vapour Mixture

Hy = cs (T – Tref) + Hλ at ref temperature

Hy = (1.005 + 1.88H) (T – Tref) + H (2501) kJ/kg dry air

Where:

Tref = The reference temperature = 0 (°C)

H = Humidity of air (kg H2O/kg dry air)

Hy = Enthalpy of air-water vapour mixture (kJ/kg dry air)

T = Temperature (°C)

λ at ref temperature = Latent heat of vapourisation (kJ/kg)

2. Total Heat Balance For Dashed-Line Box:

GHy1 + LcL (TL – Tref) = GHy + LcL (TL1 – Tref)

G(Hy - Hy1) = LcL (TL – TL1) ……operating line

(Hy – Hy1) = (LCL/G) (TL-TL1)

WHERE:

Tref = The reference temperature = 0 (°C)

Hy = Enthalpy of air-water vapour mixture (kJ/kg dry air)

Hy1 = Enthalpy of air- water vapour mixture entering the tower (kJ/kg dry air)

Hy2 = Enthalpy of air- water vapour mixture leaving the tower (kJ/kg dry air)

TL1 = Temperature of the water leaving the tower (°C)

TL2 = Temperature of the water entering the tower (°C)

L = Water flow rate (kg/s)

CL = Specific heat capacity of water (kJ/kg °C)

G = Air flow rate (kg/s)

3. Balance over both ends of the tower:

GHy1 + LCL(TL2 – Tref) = GHy2 + LcL(TL1 – Tref)

G (Hy2 – Hy1) = LcL (TL2 – TL1)

Where:

L = essentially constant since only a small amount is evaporated

CL = The specific heat capacity of water = Constant at 4.12 kJ/kg.̊C

The operating line has a slope (LCL/G)

Hy1 = Enthalpy of air- water vapour mixture entering the tower (kJ/kg dry air)

Hy2 = Enthalpy of air- water vapour mixture leaving the tower (kJ/kg dry air)

TL1 = Temperature of the water leaving the tower (°C)

TL2 = Temperature of the water entering the tower (°C)

L = Water flow rate (kg/s)

G = Air flow rate (kg/s)

 CALCULATED RESULTS

TABLE 1: Table of Enthalpies, inlet and out let gas and liquid temperatures, cooling water flow
rate and flow rate of the air for loads 1, 2 and 3

LOAD 1 2 3

Hy1 (kJ/kg dry air) 50.00 48.50 48.00

Hy2 (kJ/kg dry air) 66.00 54.50 51.00
TG1 (°C) 26.14 24.60 24.80
TG2 (°C) 27.51 26.60 23.92
L (kg/s) 0.0345 0.0333 0.0303
G (kg/s) 0.187 0.197 1.17
Gmin (kg/s) 0.0227 0.0175 0.0220
COOLING WATER (T
21.5 22 22.9
out) (°C)
COOLING WATER (T
42.5 45 51
in) (°C)
 OBSERVATIONS AND DISCUSSION:

In the experiment different levels of loads were used. From the results obtained, we have deduced that
the amount of water transfer to the air is very low and minimal.

1. ANALYZING THE AIR FLOW RATE AND WATER FLOW RATE (REFER TO TABLE 1)

The air flow rate for load 1 was calculated to be 0.187 Kg/s whilst for load 2, the air flow rate was
calculated to be 0.197 Kg/s and for load 3, the air flow rate was 1.17Kg/s. It is without any doubt, that the
air flow rate for load 1 is relatively higher than load 2, whilst the air flow rate of load 1 as compared to load
3 are relatively the same and differ minorly.

On the other hand, the water flow rate for load 1 was calculated to be 0.0345 Kg/s, and for load 2 it was
determined to be 0.0333 Kg/s, whilst at load 3, the water flow rate was calculated to be 0.0303 Kg/s.
Once again the flow rates for load 1 are higher than that of load 2 and 3.

2. ANALYZING THE INLET AND OUTLET WATER TEMPERATURES (REFER TO TABLE 1)

The inlet water temperature for load 1 was measured to be 42.5.°C, for load 2 it was measured to be 45°C
whilst for load 3, the inlet water temperature was measured to be 51°C. The outlet water temperatures
ranged from 21.5 °C, 22°C, and 22.9°C. We can clearly see that the outlet water temperatures are lower
than that of the inlet water temperature because of the latent heat of vaporization which does correlate
with theory.
All cooling towers operate on the principle of removing heat from water by evaporating a small portion of
the water that is recirculated through the unit. The heat that is removed is called the latent heat of
vaporization. The amount of heat lost by the water depends on the temperature rise of the ambient air
before it leaves the tower. This means that both the dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures of the air are
important. When Wet bulb temperature is equivalent to the dry bulb temperature, this condition
corresponds to 100% relative humidity that implies the air is fully saturated. The air will no longer accept
water and the lack of evaporation does not allow the wetted bulb to reject heat into the air by evaporation.
The higher the difference between dry bulb temperature and the wet bulb temperature, the lower is the
relative humidity, or the drier is the air. The lower relative humidity indicates greater capacity of air to
absorb or hold water and will result in efficient lowering of water temperatures. [cited in a pdf by A .Bhaita
about cooling towers]

3. ANALZYING THE AIR HUMIDITY:

The air humidity inlet in the first load is more than second and third load and the mass transfer coefficient
is approximately constant. In this experiment no resistance to heat transfer in liquid phase was assumed.
 4. ANALYZING THE INLET AND OUTLET AIR TEMPERATURES (REFER TO TABLE 1 OF
RESULTS)

The inlet air temperature for load 1 was measured to be 26.14°C, whilst for load two, it was measured to
be 24.60°C and for load 3 the temperature was measured to be 24.80°C. The outlet air temperatures
ranged from 27.51°C, 26.60°C and 23.92°C. The outlet temperatures are higher than the inlet air
temperatures which can be explained through sensible cooling. The air temperature rises as it absorbs
sensible heat from the water. This sensible heat transfer occurs, if the dry bulb temperature of air is less
than the dry bulb temperature of water which account for 20% of the cooling theoretically.

5. ANALYZING THE APPROACH:

Firstly the approach is the temperature difference between the cold water leaving the tower and ambient
wet bulb temperature. The average temperature of load 1 to load 3 is 22.13°C, hence the cooling tower
produces 22.13° C cold water when the ambient wet bulb is 20°C, then the cooling tower approach is
2.13°C.

6. ANALYZING THE MINIMUM AIR FLOW RATE:

The minimum air flow rate for load 1 was calculated to be 0.0227Kg/s, and for load 2 it was determined to
be 0.0175 Kg/s and for load 3, 0.0220 Kg/s. Once again the minimum air flow rate for load 1 is relatively
higher than that of load 2 and load 3.

7. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS BETWEEN LOAD 1, 2 AND LOAD 3:

The water flow rates for loads 1 to 3 are relatively the same, as well as the air flow rates. The inlet and
outlet water temperature differ by minor decimal values. The air inlet and outlet temperatures are also of
similar values.

CONCLUSIONS REACHED:

1. We have concluded that during the process of evaporation in the tower, only pure water is
discharged into the atmosphere as water vapor.
2. We have also concluded that sensible cooling takes place within the cooling tower regarding the
inlet and outlet air temperatures.
3. Cooling towers operate on the principle of removing heat from water by evaporating a small
portion of the water that is recirculated through the unit.
4. The amount of heat lost by the water depends on the temperature rise of the ambient air before it
leaves the tower.
5. Load 1 produces the best and optimum results and cools the water at a lower temperature as
compared to load 2 and load 3.

6. SUMMARIZING ALL CONCLUSIONS REACHED:

  Both the evaporative and sensible heat transfer occurs as the warmer water comes in contact
with the cooler air.
 The Total heat transferred is equal to the summation of the Heat of evaporation plus the
Sensible Heat.
APPENDICES
 APPENDIX A: TABLE OF RAW DATA COLLECTED

DATA COLLECTION SHEET WITHOUT SUPERHEAT

LOAD 1 2 3
AIR (wet bulb) in (°C) 17.6 17.3 17
% Relative Humidity – in (%) 43.9 48 46
AIR (wet bulb) out (°C) 22.5 22 18
% Relative Humidity – out (% 65.2 70 56
COOLING WATER (T out) (°C) 21.5 22 22.9
COOLING WATER (T in) (°C) 42.5 45 51
COOLING WATER FLOW (s) 29 30 33

The Flow Meter was read using the gauge - 0.001 m3 / revolution = 1 L / revolution

 APPENDIX B: SAMPLE CALCULATION

(The sample calculations will be done for load 1)

1. ENTHAPY OF THE AIR ENTERING THE TOWER (Hy1)

Hy1 could be read of directly from the psychometric chart by using:

 The wet bulb temperature, (TWB), of the air entering the tower = 17.6 °C, and
 The percentage relative humidity of the air entering the tower = 43.9 %

Therefore Hy1 = 50 kJ/kg dry air

2. TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR ENTERING THE TOWER (TG1)

TG1 calculated using a psychometric chart for the following data:

 The wet bulb temperature, (TWB), of the air entering the tower = 17.6 °C, and
 The percentage relative humidity of the air entering the tower = 43.9 %

Interpolation had to therefore be carried out between the percentage relative humidity of 40% and
50% and the dry bulb temperature of 27 °C and 24.8 °C respectively.

Interpolation:

50−40 24.8−27
=
40−43.9 27−T G 1
Therefore:
TG1 = 26.142 °C

3. ENTHAPY OF THE AIR LEAVING THE TOWER (Hy2)

Hy2 could be read of directly from the psychometric chart by using:

 The wet bulb temperature, (TWB), of the air leaving the tower = 22.5 °C, and
 The percentage relative humidity of the air leaving the tower = 65.2 %

Therefore Hy2 = 66 kJ/kg dry air

4. TEMPERATURE OF THE AIR LEAVING THE TOWER (TG2)

TG2 calculated using a psychometric chart for the following data:

 The wet bulb temperature, (TWB), of the air leaving the tower = 22.5 °C, and
 The percentage relative humidity of the air leaving the tower = 65.2 %

Interpolation had to therefore be carried out between the percentage relative humidity of 60% and
70% and the dry bulb temperature of 28.5 °C and 26.6 °C respectively.

Interpolation:

70−60 26.6−28.5
=
60−65.2 28.5−T G 2

Therefore:
TG2 = 27.512 °C

5. COOLING WATER FLOW RATE (L)

For the cooling water flow rate 1 liter of water was collected during 1 revolution which took
29s.

1 Liter → 29s
x Liters → 1s

Therefore by cross multiplication, we end up with:

L = 0.0345 L/s = 0.0000345 m3/s

and therefore by multiplying by the density of water, 1000 kg/m 3, we end up with:

L = 0.0345 kg/s
6. FLOW RATE OF AIR (kg/s)

According to theory equation 3:

Balance over both ends of the tower:

GHy1 + LCL(TL2 – Tref) = GHy2 + LcL(TL1 – Tref)

G (Hy2 – Hy1) = LcL (TL2 – TL1)

LC L (T L2−T L1)
G=
(H y 2−H yi )

Where:

L = essentially constant since only a small amount is evaporated = 0.0345 kg/s

CL = The specific heat capacity of water = Constant at 4.12 kJ/kg .̊C

The operating line has a slope (LCL/G)

Hy1 = Enthalpy of air- water vapour mixture entering the tower = 50 kJ/kg dry air

Hy2 = Enthalpy of air- water vapour mixture leaving the tower = 66kJ/kg dry air

TL1 = Temperature of the water leaving the tower 21 .5°C

TL2 = Temperature of the water entering the tower 42.5 °C

L = Water flow rate = 0.0345 kg/s

G = Air flow rate (kg/s)

Therefore:

(0.0345)( 4.12)(42.5−21.5)
G=
(66−50)

G = 0.187kg/s
7. MINIMUM AIR FLOW RATE (GMIN)

According to the operating line for load 1, where the slope is equal to:

LC L
Slope =
GMIN

The slope was calculated using points from this operating line:

Y 2−Y 1
Slope =
X 2−X 1

130−80
Slope =
34−26

Slope = 6.25 kJ/kg °C

Therefore

LC L
Slope =
GMIN

Where:

L = Water flow rate = 0.0345 kg/s

CL = The specific heat capacity of water = Constant at 4.12 kJ/kg .̊C

Therefore

L CL
GMIN =
Slope

(0.0345)(4.12)
GMIN =
6.25
 GMIN = 0.0227 kg/s

NOMELATURE

SYMBOL VARIABLE REPRESENTATION UNIT

Tref Reference Temperature °C
Hy Enthalpy of air-water vapour kJ/kg dry air
mixture

Hy1 Enthalpy of air- water vapour kJ/kg dry air

mixture entering the tower
Hy2 Enthalpy of air- water vapour kJ/kg dry air
mixture leaving the tower
TL1 Temperature of the water leaving °C
the tower
TL2 Temperature of the water °C
entering the tower
L Water flow rate kg/s
H Humidity of air kg H2O/kg dry air
G Air flow rate kg/s
TG1 Temperature of air entering °C
TG2 Temperature of air exiting °C
TWB Wet bulb temperature °C
TDB Dry bulb temperature °C