Overview
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 7 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.
The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of thirty-five (35) questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits.
Specific Knowledge or Skill Obtained
This course teaches the following specific knowledge and skills:
- 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
- Learn by examples the equations to calculate the evaporation rate, fresh water make up and blowdown requirements
- Learn different types of heat rejection systems
- Be able to describe the factors affecting the performance of cooling towers
- Learn the various materials used in construction of cooling towers
- Describe various control options
- Understand the layout and installation considerations
Course
Click on the following link to the PDF document to review the course material before taking the quiz for credit.
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