AAP Industrial Cooling Towers

What is an Industrial Cooling Tower?

An industrial cooling tower is a specialized heat exchanger in which air and water are brought into direct contact with each other in order to reduce the water’s temperature. As this occurs, a small volume of water is evaporated, reducing the temperature of the water being circulated through the tower. Reymsa Cooling Tower at AAP parts chart

How Does This Technology Work?

Water, which has been heated by an industrial process or in an air-conditioning condenser, is pumped to the cooling tower through pipes. The water sprays through nozzles onto banks of material called “fill” which slows the flow of water through the cooling tower, and exposes as much water surface area as possible for maximum air-water contact. As the water flows through the cooling tower, it is exposed to air, which is being pulled through the tower by the electric motor-driven fan.

When the water and air meet, a small amount of water is evaporated, creating a cooling action. The cooled water is then pumped back to the condenser or process equipment where it absorbs heat. It will then be pumped back to the cooling tower to be cooled once again. 

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When Should You Use an Industrial Cooling Tower?

Cooling towers normally complement a major air conditioning system such as a chiller or a large heat pump:

  • While the compressor units in heat pumps and chiller plants gather heat from indoor spaces, cooling towers are used to remove the heat from the compressors themselves.
  • Since large HVAC units are often found indoors, while cooling towers are installed outdoors, both devices are normally connected with a water loop. The piping loop is equipped with a pump to keep the water in circulation.
  • There are also special applications where a cooling tower can provide direct heat removal, without being connected to a chiller or heat pump.

 Like with any piece of HVAC equipment, it is very important to use a cooling tower with the right capacity and performance features. A unit that is too small does not remove building heat fast enough, but purchasing an oversized cooling tower represents a waste of capital. 

To learn more about this technology, read more on the Reymsa technology at Associated Air Products.