Know Your Cooling Tower Parts So You Don't Lose Your Cool
Cooling towers are essentially large-scale air conditioners used to cool industrial facilities. They work in much the same way as home window air conditioners work by removing the heat and humidity from the air and replacing it with cooled air. The main difference is that home air conditioner systems use refrigerant and industrial cooling towers use water to accomplish the exchange.
Home air conditioners require fewer operating parts, as they are smaller units. Industrial cooling towers use a more complex system of parts to cool an entire facility or industrial complex. Read on for a brief rundown of the essential parts of your cooling tower.
Cooling Tower Parts Primer
Industrial cooling tower parts are replaceable if needed. Gearboxes, fill media, and fans are all essential parts. Gearboxes work in tandem with fans to force air through the cooling tower system. If your gearbox needs repaired or replaced, however, it doesn't mean that the fan does as well. Maintenance personnel should always check for fan wear when checking the gearbox.
Driveshafts work with gearboxes so that the fan blades turn. Some driveshafts are as small as a couple of feet. Many are much larger to accommodate heavy-duty cooling towers. Like most cooling system parts, the driveshaft works with moisture, so it is imperative that it is rust-free. If a driveshaft becomes rusty, the product may be faulty, as they are built to withstand rust.
Cooling towers use fill media for maximum evaporation purposes. Water disperses through the fill media, flattening it to a thin film layer. This allows excess moisture and heat to evaporate, providing cooling. Another type of fill media is splash media, which simply breaks up the moisture. Fill media is essential for the cooling tower to function properly.
One last cooling tower part that is essential, not so much for its mechanical function within the tower but more for the health of those breathing the cooled air within the industrial facility, is the air louver. Air louvers keep cooling towers from algae and mold build-up. Keeping the cooling tower clean will help keep the flow of air circulating and unhealthy mold from being breathed by personnel.
Keep a Parts Maintenance Schedule
It is cost-effective to keep your industrial cooling tower operating at peak efficiency. Schedule regular inspections and maintenance to keep the tower at maximum efficiency. You don't want to lose your cool over unnecessary repairs or replacement parts.
For more information about cooling tower parts, contact a local supplier.