Abstract: In one aspect, a cooling tower system is provided that includes an evaporative heat exchanger, a sensor configured to detect a parameter of evaporative liquid distributed onto the evaporative heat exchanger, and an evaporative liquid treatment system. The cooling tower system further includes a controller having a normal operating mode wherein the controller operates the evaporative liquid treatment system to treat the evaporative liquid upon a determination of inadequate evaporative liquid quality based at least in part on the parameter of the evaporative liquid. The controller has a failsafe operating mode wherein the controller changes operation of the cooling tower upon a determination that the operation of the evaporative liquid treatment system is unable to remedy the inadequate evaporative liquid quality.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present disclosure, an indirect heat exchanger pressure vessel is provided that includes an inlet header to receive a pressurized working fluid, such as water, glycol, ammonia, and/or CO2. The indirect heat exchanger pressure vessel includes an outlet header to collect the pressurized working fluid and a serpentine circuit tube connecting the inlet and outlet headers. The serpentine circuit tube permits the pressurized working fluid to flow from the inlet header to the outlet header. The serpentine circuit tube includes runs and a return bend connecting the runs. The return bend has a controlled wrinkled portion comprising alternating ridges and grooves. The alternating ridges and grooves strengthen the return bend and permit the indirect heat exchanger pressure vessel to facilitate working fluid heat transfer at a high internal operating pressure.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cooling tower system is provided that includes an evaporative heat exchanger, a sensor configured to detect a parameter of evaporative liquid distributed onto the evaporative heat exchanger, and an evaporative liquid treatment system. The cooling tower system further includes a controller having a normal operating mode wherein the controller operates the evaporative liquid treatment system to treat the evaporative liquid upon a determination of inadequate evaporative liquid quality based at least in part on the parameter of the evaporative liquid. The controller has a failsafe operating mode wherein the controller changes operation of the cooling tower upon a determination that the operation of the evaporative liquid treatment system is unable to remedy the inadequate evaporative liquid quality.

Abstract: An indirect heat exchanger has two airflow paths and an airflow generator to draw air through the airflow paths. A fluid conduit passes through the heat exchanger such that a cooling region is positioned within each of the flow paths. A dispenser is positioned to dispense evaporative liquid on one of the cooling regions. The dispenser operates in a wet mode and a dry mode. A controller regulates airflow through the first flow path and the second flow path, and also controls the operation of the dispenser. In this way, the controller may operate the airflow paths independently such that the airflow through a flow path operating in the dry mode is greater than that of the flow path operating in the wet mode.

Abstract: A cooling tower is provided having a heat exchange section, and a fan for moving air through the heat exchange section. A water distribution assembly provides water onto and through the heat exchange section. An air inlet section is provided through which air is drawn into the cooling tower and the heat exchange section. The air inlet section has outside edges and corners. A wall assembly is provided in the air inlet section, with the wall assembly extending from the corners of the air inlet section inwardly. The water passing through the heat exchange section enters the air inlet section, and exits to a sump beneath the air inlet section. The air inlet section is comprised of a structure having outside edges and corners, and the wall assembly is comprised of a plurality of wall panel sections. Each wall panel section has an outer edge at a corner of the air inlet section, and each wall panel section extends inwardly from the corner of the air inlet section.

Abstract: An indirect heat exchanger has two airflow paths and an airflow generator to draw air through the airflow paths. A fluid conduit passes through the heat exchanger such that a cooling region is positioned within each of the flow paths. A dispenser is positioned to dispense evaporative liquid on one of the cooling regions. The dispenser operates in a wet mode and a dry mode. A controller regulates airflow through the first flow path and the second flow path, and also controls the operation of the dispenser. In this way, the controller may operate the airflow paths independently such that the airflow through a flow path operating in the dry mode is greater than that of the flow path operating in the wet mode.

Abstract: An indirect heat exchanger has two airflow paths and an airflow generator to draw air through the airflow paths. A fluid conduit passes through the heat exchanger such that a cooling region is positioned within each of the flow paths. A dispenser is positioned to dispense evaporative liquid on one of the cooling regions. The dispenser operates in a wet mode and a dry mode. A controller regulates airflow through the first flow path and the second flow path, and also controls the operation of the dispenser. In this way, the controller may operate the airflow paths independently such that the airflow through a flow path operating in the dry mode is greater than that of the flow path operating in the wet mode.

Abstract: An indirect heat exchanger has two airflow paths and an airflow generator to draw air through the airflow paths. A fluid conduit passes through the heat exchanger such that a cooling region is positioned within each of the flow paths. A dispenser is positioned to dispense evaporative liquid on one of the cooling regions. The dispenser operates in a wet mode and a dry mode. A controller regulates airflow through the first flow path and the second flow path, and also controls the operation of the dispenser. In this way, the controller may operate the airflow paths independently such that the airflow through a flow path operating in the dry mode is greater than that of the flow path operating in the wet mode.

Abstract: A cooling tower is provided having a heat exchange section, and a fan for moving air through the heat exchange section. A water distribution assembly provides water onto and through the heat exchange section. An air inlet section is provided through which air is drawn into the cooling tower and the heat exchange section. The air inlet section has outside edges and corners. A wall assembly is provided in the air inlet section, with the wall assembly extending from the corners of the air inlet section inwardly. The water passing through the heat exchange section enters the air inlet section, and exits to a sump beneath the air inlet section. The air inlet section is comprised of a structure having outside edges and corners, and the wall assembly is comprised of a plurality of wall panel sections. Each wall panel section has an outer edge at a corner of the air inlet section, and each wall panel section extends inwardly from the corner of the air inlet section.

Abstract: A liner and method of application for use on a metal surface to protect metal structures such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and other liquid containing vessels such as tanks from corrosion, leaks, and wear. The liner is an inexpensive apparatus and process comprising a coated metal having a second sealing and bonding layer and a third protective sealing layer. The liner method comprises applying an organic bonding layer onto the galvanized substrate, and applying an elastomeric barrier coating to the bonding layer. The barrier coating material is applied to preseal the seams between adjoining panels assembled to form the basin. The barrier coating is applied to the entire inside of the basin to form a homogenous barrier coating extending out of the basin. The liner edge is isolated from the basin by extending the liner to a point between the basin and an upper section.

Abstract: A liner and method of application for use on a metal surface to protect metal structures such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and other liquid containing vessels such as tanks from corrosion, leaks, and wear. The liner is an inexpensive apparatus and process comprising a coated metal having a second sealing and bonding layer and a third protective sealing layer. The liner method comprises applying an organic bonding layer onto the galvanized substrate, and applying an elastomeric barrier coating to the bonding layer. The barrier coating material is applied to preseal the seams between adjoining panels assembled to form the basin. The barrier coating is applied to the entire inside of the basin to form a homogenous barrier coating extending out of the basin. The liner edge is isolated from the basin by extending the liner to a point between the basin and an upper section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for cooling fluids entering a closed circuit cooling tower. A triple circuit assembly is used to cool the fluid in the closed loop. The triple circuit assembly design allows a heat transfer tube bundle to maintain a relatively low pressure drop, but without simultaneously lowering thermal performance to a significant degree as compared to traditional double serpentine or QUAD serpentine designs.

Abstract: A mechanical draft cooling tower includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A liquid spray assembly is provided below the air outlet. A fill shell assembly is provided below the liquid spray assembly such that liquid can be sprayed onto the fill sheet assembly. An indirect heat exchange assembly is mounted beneath the fill sheet assembly. The indirect assembly usually comprises a series of coils through which a fluid to be cooled is circulated. A first air inlet is provided beneath the fill sheet assembly and includes a closing assembly. A second air inlet is provided beneath a top surface of the indirect assembly and includes a closing assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical draft cooling tower includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A liquid spray assembly is provided below the air outlet. A fill shell assembly is provided below the liquid spray assembly such that liquid can be sprayed onto the fill sheet assembly. An indirect heat exchange assembly is mounted beneath the fill sheet assembly. The indirect assembly usually comprises a series of coils through which a fluid to be cooled is circulated. A first air inlet is provided beneath the fill sheet assembly and includes a closing assembly. A second air inlet is provided beneath a top surface of the indirect assembly and includes a closing assembly.

Abstract: A mechanical draft cooling tower includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A liquid spray assembly is provided below the air outlet. A fill shell assembly is provided below the liquid spray assembly such that liquid can be sprayed onto the fill sheet assembly. An indirect heat exchange assembly is mounted beneath the fill sheet assembly. The indirect assembly usually comprises a series of coils through which a fluid to be cooled is circulated. A first air inlet is provided beneath the fill sheet assembly and includes a closing assembly. A second air inlet is provided beneath a top surface of the indirect assembly and includes a closing assembly.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a heat exchanger with evaporative and non-evaporative sections. The method includes the following steps: providing desired values of temperature or pressure; comparing present values of temperature or pressure to the desired values of temperature and pressure; and manipulating an air flowrate to the heat exchanger and load to the evaporative heat exchanger to optimize total energy and water costs while maintaining an outlet fluid at the desired temperature or pressure.

Abstract: A liner and method of application for use on a metal surface to protect metal structures such as cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and other liquid containing vessels such as tanks from corrosion, leaks, and wear. The liner is an inexpensive apparatus and process comprising a coated metal having a second sealing and bonding layer and a third protective sealing layer. The liner method comprises applying an organic bonding layer onto the galvanized substrate, and applying an elastomeric barrier coating to the bonding layer. The barrier coating material is applied to preseal the seams between adjoining panels assembled to form the basin. The barrier coating is applied to the entire inside of the basin to form a homogenous barrier coating extending out of the basin. The liner edge is isolated from the basin by extending the liner to a point between the basin and an upper section.

Abstract: A heat exchanger coil assembly is made up of arrays of substantially equally spaced apart serpentine circuits located in the coil assembly region of the conduit, with adjacent circuits being arranged in a parallel offset fashion in which adjacent return bends are overlapping. The tubes have an effective diameter of D. Depression areas are provided at the points of overlap to locally reduce the diameter at the overlap. This provides a circuit-to-circuit with a density D/S>1.0, preferably greater than 1.02, where S is the spacing between adjacent circuits and D is the effective diameter of the tubes.

Abstract: The final segment in one-half or one-third circuit tube assemblies are arranged in a concurrent manner with the air flow in a closed-circuit cooling tower to more fully utilize spray-water cooling that occurs in the region below the tube assembly but above the sump water surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a planned array tubes and circuits in a cooling coil for a thermal storage unit to maintain at least some of the vertical aisles between adjacent circuits or sets of circuits to provide communication through the coil to present more ice-contact surface area to the heat transfer fluid for maintenance of a fluid temperature at about the desired output temperature and to provide a circuit having a means to monitor and control termination of the ice build in a thermal storage unit.