Computational fluid dynamics studies for innovative cooling tower design

In this study, a combined experimental and computational study for the design of a low water consumption cooling tower is performed. The purpose of the study is to reduce the water consumption without decreasing the efficiency of a typical cooling tower. To achieve this aim, it is necessary to enhance the homogeneity of mist/air mixture. For this purpose, firstly, an experimental set-up including a small scale wind tunnel is installed which provides opportunity to examine different inlet and outlet configurations easily. As s part of a Tubitak Teydeb Project, the experimental part of the study is carried out by MD2 Engineering. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used extensively to examine the effects of different configurations before experimental studies. Simulations of different inlet and outlet configurations are performed using only air. Several turbulators are designed and simulated to increase the turbulence levels. A three dimensional multi-phase CFD model is utilized to design a nozzle-turbulator system for the cooling tower. As results of the computational and experimental studies, the most efficient inlet and outlet configurations are specified and turbulators are selected from the alternative designs. The designed cooling tower takes its final form as a results of combined experimental and computational studies and a turning nozzle configuration is selected as the final design.