Theoretical study on impact of the dissipative muffler on the cooling performance of the hybrid mechanical draft wet cooling tower

Abstract

This study theoretically delves into the potential applications of dissipative mufflers in the hybrid mechanical draft wet cooling towers (MDWCTs). The influential mechanism of the chip muffler on the aerodynamic and thermal performances of the hybrid MDWCTs under crosswinds are systematically investigated by three-dimensional numerical simulation. The results manifest that the muffler exerts a significant influence on cooling tower ventilation by influencing the morphology and location of the transverse vortices beneath the water collection device. The theoretical analyses reveal that there is a robust correlation between the water temperature decrease and the effective ventilation rate under various operational conditions and tower structures. Moreover, the investigation of various muffler layouts demonstrates that the single-side intake and internal layout exhibit distinctive advantages in thermal performance. This study provides a solid theoretical basis for the optimal design of dissipative mufflers in MDWCT, which is an important impetus for the theoretical development of cooling tower technology.