The water and air distribution law analysis in natural draft cooling towers

Abstract

This work deals with the study of water and air distribution irregularity in an industrial natural draft cooling tower (NDCT). Statistical histograms of water and air flow distribution in the NDCT are made, a significant degree of water and air irregularity has been established and a general criterion for the dimensionless water and air distribution has been introduced. We have analyzed the flows’ distribution law and have found that the statistical data of water and air flow in natural draft cooling towers adhere to the normal distribution law. The distribution functions of the dimensionless of water concentration and air velocity are obtained. A technical and economic calculation of the irregularity flows influence on the thermal power plant fuel consumption has been carried out. The knowledge about the law of the water and air concentration distribution is necessary for more accurate calculations in the cooling towers design and operation.