Abstract: A heat exchange system and particularly a water cooling tower wherein water is sprayed from an upper level thereof to be cooled by rising air currents. A rotatable vertical shaft coaxial with the tower, has a multiplicity of arms or blades extending radially therefrom along the length thereof. The blades are of generally triangular cross-section, having upper surfaces which slope downward and lower surfaces which slope upward from leading portions thereof, whereby water drops falling from above and air currents rising from below both impart vectors of force toward the leading portion to rotate the shaft. An air impeller at the lower end of the shaft is thus rotated to augment air flow.

Abstract: A cooling tower for condensing water has a hyperbolical main wall with an per portion which defines a passage for ascending vapor-laden air. The upper portion contains an annular insert serving to intercept currents of cool air which develop and tend to flow into the interior of the intermediate portion of the main wall at low wind velocities and/or to intercept turbulent air which develops and tends to flow into the intermediate portion when the wind velocity at the top of the tower is high. The insert may constitute a sheltered passageway for workmen and may be made integral with the upper portion of the main wall. The width of the annular space which is defined by the insert and upper portion of the main wall may be a whole multiple of the depth of such space, and the cross-sectional area of this space can approach one-half the cross-sectional area of the passage through which cooling air escapes from the tower by flowing upwardly within and above the insert.

Abstract: A water distribution system is disclosed which employs a plurality of spray nozzles arranged to induce air flow and maximize the cooling surface area of the falling water. The plurality of spray nozzles are arranged along a plurality of vertical planes and a plurality of horizontal planes.The nozzles are located on at least two sides of a central area and are adapted to spray the water to be cooled toward the central area.

Abstract: A generally rectangular, bottom-vented, mechanical draft combination wet-dry water cooling tower is provided which has excellent water conservation properties and resistance to recirculation of heated discharge air, and which is designed for minimizing undue low level deflection and spreading of hot moist discharge air with essentially complete elimination of visible fog plumes above the tower.

Abstract: A hyperboloidal cooling tower has a central post from which is suspended an upper horizontal ring centered on the post. A network of cables strung from the upper ring define a generally hyperboloidal surface, with the cables criss-crossing and the intersections clamped together with clips. A plurality of corrugated aluminum plates is secured inside the array of cables at the clips with the corrugations of the plates extending upwardly. The corrugations of each plate are spread to a greater and lesser extent at different regions along the plate together so that these plates may form a uniform three-dimensional shape. Each of the plates is secured at its central region fixedly to at least one clip and otherwise secured to the clips via stringers which can slide on these clips so as to allow thermal expansion of the plates relative to the cable network and relative to one another.

Abstract: A cooling system for circulating a fluid past a heat-exchanger comprises a vertical surge column and a cooling tower to reduce the heat level of a circulating fluid for delivery to the surge column. The cooling tower is mounted on the surge column which is adapted to support substantially the entire weight of the cooling tower. Heat-exchanger coils are provided which are coupled to the surge column to receive the circulating fluid therefrom and to return the circulating fluid to the cooling tower. There is also provided a circulating device which is operatively coupled to the surge column, cooling tower, and heat-exchanger coils to circulate the circulating fluid therebetween.

Abstract: A modular gas and liquid contact member is formed of a plurality of extended surface sheet members with means associated with at least the peripheral margins thereof warping the sheets and maintaining the sheets in an undulated array. In a preferred form of the invention, the means for warping and maintaining the sheet members in the undulated array comprises a plurality of through bolts and spacers of varying lengths threaded on the through bolts and contacting opposed surfaces of adjacent sheet members.

Abstract: A tower structure and a method of erecting same wherein said structure comprises a series of rings stacked in end to end relationship with sealing means between adjacent rings to form a tubular section, anchor means are provided exterior and interior of said section and stabilizing means connect said section at spaced locations along its length to said anchor means.

Abstract: A simplified, selectively actuatable deicing apparatus for evaporative water cooling towers is provided which permits selective delivery of hot water from the upper distribution basin to the outer margin of the tower for deicing of the fill structure and inlet louvers thereof in order to maintain adequate airflow through the tower during sub-freezing ambient conditions. The deicing apparatus includes structure defining a substantially continuous water passageway or slot in the distribution basin adjacent the outer margin thereof, in combination with valving devices in the form of a series of elongated, individually shiftable cover members which can be selectively raised to permit flow of hot water through the slot in sufficient quantities to deice the outermost areas of the tower which are prone to ice clogging.

Abstract: The invention provides for easy, efficient repair and maintenance of cooling towers by a design in which the internal elements such as liquid distribution pipes, demister, grating and the like are structurally unified with a supporting means so that they can be removed from or replaced in the tower as a unit.

Abstract: A supporting framework for heat exchange surfaces for atmospheric cooling towers includes a plurality of primary generally vertically directed support members hingedly interconnected and further support members connected to the primary support members via elastic members having a high modulus of compression and a low modulus of elasticity relative to the elements forming the framework.

Abstract: A dual path drift eliminator and method is provided which effectively removes entrained water particles from high velocity moist airstreams leaving a crossflow cooling tower fill structure by the use of spaced, cellular, individually draining, diversion path-defining structures strategically located and arranged to facilitate maximum drift elimination. The drift eliminator has a plurality of elongated air passages therein disposed to first divide the moist air from the tower fill into a series of separate streams which are first diverted at an upward angle relative to the initial path thereof, and thereafter rediverted laterally to one side of the first diversion path. Water particle removal is thus greatly enhanced by virtue of increased impingement of the entrained particles against the cellular walls defining the respective diversion paths.

Abstract: A wind driven electric power generator having a shroud arranged in a path of fluid flow. Within the shroud is disposed a stationary shaft supporting a wind generator assembly. The shroud can be the veil of a conventional cooling tower, with the wind generator assembly including a rotor connected to an electric generator arranged for converting rotary motion of the rotor to electrical energy, thus saving some of the energy created by the natural draft passing up the veil of the cooling tower. Space frame box trusses provided with airfoils provide lightweight arms for the rotor, with the rotor being arranged anywhere in the shroud. When a hyperbolic cooling tower veil is used as the shroud, the rotor will usually be positioned in the throat of the veil.

Abstract: Hot liquid supply and distribution structure for use with crossflow cooling towers is disclosed which permits selective variation of the amount of liquid delivered to respective fill sections of the tower in order to optimize liquid cooling therein under varying ambient weather conditions while also minimizing the amount of piping and manually operated controls needed for precise flow and distribution control. Primary supply means preferably in the form of an elongated flume or conduit is situated inwardly of and adjacent to an inner distribution basin with a plurality of outwardly extending secondary flumes or conduits interconnecting the primary supply means and an outer distribution basin.

Abstract: The invention relates to cooling towers of the type currently in use for cooling water and/or condensing exhaust steam as for example in association with nuclear or fossil fuel type power plants. Typically towers are very large and very high. The invention embodies an original concept for utilization of such towers, for example hyperbolic towers, for the generation of energy from wind and also for improving the efficiency of the cooling tower. In the exemplary form of the invention a large wind driven rotor is provided to be carried by the tower and to rotate around its axis at the position of the narrowed throat of the tower. Pressure is generated by the rotor and discharged through nozzles arrayed on the inside of the walls of the tower to augment and enhance the draft within the tower.

Abstract: A cooling tower assembly comprising a natural draught tower having, arranged in the lower part thereof but spaced above the ground, a heat-exchanger assembly comprising a plurality of V or A frames each consisting of two mutually inclined banks of finned tubes with the apices of the frames lying in a set of parallel planes or two sets of parallel planes at right angles, the frames being of different lengths, and/or comprising banks of different lengths and arranged so as to fill the major part of the plan area of the lower part of the tower.

Abstract: An installation for changing the temperature of fluid media has a gas-liquid contacting arrangement and an indirect heat-exchange arrangement. The gas-liquid contacting arrangement is made up of a chamber and a device inside the chamber through which liquid may flow to be converted into the form of a spray. A collecting vessel at the bottom of the chamber collects the liquid which passes through the spray device. The wall of the chamber is provided with openings for the admission of a gas into the chamber and louvers may be provided for regulating the flow of gas into the chamber. The indirect heat-exchange arrangement is made up of two portions which are located at a level above that of the spray device and which extend upwardly and outwardly from the vicinity of the wall of the chamber. Each of the heat-exchange portions is constituted by a plurality of parallel conduits provided with fins. Where the installation is used for cooling purposes, the heat-exchange portions may serve as condensers.

Abstract: A splash bar for a cooling tower fill assembly is of longitudinally Z-shaped configuration. The top and bottom of the bar are parallel and are connected by an essentially vertical surface. The entire bar has openings throughout.

Abstract: The invention is a method for removing dissolved solids from water by creating a condition of super-saturation of the solid material within a confined water circuit, propagating the formation of solids by a slurry process of evaporative crystallization which utilizes waste heat energy and separating the crystalized solids; the invention also involves the apparatus for carrying out the process which includes a continuous process circuit for circulating a super-saturated liquid and slurry, which circuit comprises a source of waste heat energy for propelling the process and cooling tower to provide evaporation, and further including a separator to remove crystallized solids from the slurry.

Abstract: In a thermoelectric generating plant utilizing heat to generate electric energy and having a recirculating water system in which the water is heated during passage through the plant and must be cooled before recirculation to the plant thus causing a heat loss and resultant loss of energy; the combination therein of apparatus for recapturing a portion of the normally lost energy. The apparatus includes a natural air draft, cooling tower for the flow of air from the bottom to the top thereof and disposed in the recirculating water system for receiving the heated water and passing the heated water through the flow of air at generally the bottom thereof for cooling the heated water and heating the air to cause a natural draft flow of air up through the tower.

Abstract: Heat and/or mass exchanger operating by direct contact between a liquid and a gas comprising a cooling tower, of the type having a casing in which is disposed a filling through which the liquid and the gas circulate. The filling is constituted of a plurality of independent tubular elements whose cross-section varies along the length of the tubular elements. The tubular elements are preferably disposed with their axes vertical and parallel to define internal and external passages of variable section. The tubular elements vary in cross-section in continuous manner throughout their length and the section variations recur periodically along the length of the tubular elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a structure, such as a cooling tower, comprising a waisted tubular envelope consisting of a membrane made of a material which is capable of supporting tension in all directions in its plane. The membrane is pre-tensioned and carried with its tubular axis upright from a support which provides the vertical component of the pre-tensioning.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in transferring heat and mass, having a receptacle for a liquid with a pile lock and a liquid distributor surface onto which the pile lock supplies a film of the liquid. The distributor surface faces downwards and liquid withdrawing means act to withdraw the film of liquid from the surface and carry it to an outlet means. The heat and mass transfer takes place on the liquid withdrawing means.

Abstract: A combination humidifying and cooling apparatus and method. The humidifying section, including a liquid recycle line, is disposed outboard of a liquid cooling section. Air is directed into the humidifying section where it is humidified without significantly raising its wet bulb temperature prior to passing into the cooling section. This reduces the amount of water evaporated in the cooling section. By recycling liquid in the humidifying section, the solids content of the blowdown therefrom can be highly concentrated without adversely affecting the cooling liquid circuit.

Abstract: An adjustably operable heat transfer system for cooling tower installations, the heat transfer units consisting of a section of only "wet" operating evaporative heat exchanger units and a section of dual-purpose heat exchanger units which are adapted for alternative or simultaneous wet evaporative heat transfer and "dry" convective heat transfer. All units are operated in the wet mode, when the air temperatures are highest, for maximum heat transfer output, but a mixed mode is used, when the air temperature is lowest, dry warm air obtained through convective heat transfer being admixed to the moist warm air obtained through evaporative heat transfer, in order to prevent cloud formation by the latter.

Abstract: The cooling tower is characterized in that it has a three-dimensional framework made up of sections mounted on supports and adapted to be moved on carriers for withdrawal from the cooling tower, for which purpose openings are provided in the cooling tower walls adjacent to the framework sections, said openings being kept closed during the operation of the cooling tower.

Abstract: A crossflow cooling tower, water flow control valve and diffuser which includes an open ended inner valve cylinder which moves from a closed to an open position by means of a screw mechanism and allows water to be evenly distributed over a 360.degree. range to all parts of a hot water basin located directly under the valve. The water leaving the valve is directed and proportioned by a series of baffles and a cone to effect a uniform distribution over the basin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for preventing formation of mist by the discharge of moistened air from an evaporative cooler, primarily a cooling tower of the multi-layer type, comprising a contact body composed of a plurality of layers forming between themselves gaps passed by water to be cooled and atmospheric air which is moistened and heated by contact with the water in counter-current or cross-current flow. Under certain conditions as when the temperature of the atmospheric air is so low, when the moistened and heated air is discharged to the atmosphere and cooled to the low temperature of the latter, the moisture contained in the discharged air will be condensed and precipitated in the form of mist to the extent it exceeds the saturation point of the air. Such precipitation can be avoided by mixing the moistened air prior to its escape into the atmosphere with preheated dry air.

Abstract: A low cost, preformed, synthetic resin, indirect air cooled atmospheric heat exchanger especially adapted for use in water cooling towers is provided which exhibits enhanced water cooling properties notwithstanding fabrication thereof from relatively inexpensive, corrosion-free polyvinyl chloride or like materials heretofore thought to have insufficient heat conductivity for practical use in heat exchangers.

Abstract: In an evaporative liquid cooling apparatus comprising a housing having liquid delivery means, heat exchange means beneath the liquid delivery means, liquid collection means beneath the heat exchange means and a chamber beneath the heat exchange means and defined by wall portions of said housing and said liquid collection means, the improvement comprising fan means for delivering a flow of air to the heat exchange means, located inside said chamber, above said liquid collection means, and at least one of said housing wall portions of said chamber defining at least one air inlet aperture for said fan means.

Abstract: A wet-dry cooling tower with an upper tubular heat exchange section superposed over a lower sloped film fill section. The film fill comprises a number of spaced sheets, preferably of the corrugated type. Also, splash-type fill may be disposed on either side of the film fill for increased gas-liquid contact. After partial cooling in the upper tubular section, liquid is either directed to the lower film fill section or bypasses it depending on cooling requirements.

Abstract: A tower structure wherein said structure comprises a series of rings stacked in end to end relationship with sealing means between adjacent rings to form a tubular section, anchor means are provided exterior and interior of said section and stabilizing means connect said section at spaced locations along its length to said anchor means.

Abstract: A cooling tower is described employing a heat exchanger and duct means defining a passage for directing the air over the heat exchanger for cooling same. The duct means have upper and lower air intake orifices, the former being positioned a substantial distance above ground level and the latter being positioned substantially at ground level. Means are provided for selectively drawing air into the duct means through either of said orifices.

Abstract: A contact apparatus for effecting the interaction of air and water including at least one bed mounted in a casing of units positioned side by side with each unit composed entirely or partly of corrugated, vertically positioned layers or sheets for receiving water supplied from the top of the casing and air flowing upwardly from the bottom of the casing. The bed has a downward slope from the air intake side of the casing towards the interior of the apparatus.

Abstract: Crescent shaped vanes are so disposed in an evaporative cooling tower that the vanes generally have their leading edges aligned with a plane which forms an acute angle with a vertical plane and that adjacent vanes form a continuous smooth curve flow path which is generally directed upwardly and changes less than 90.degree. in direction to form an effective, low-pressure drop drift eliminator.

Abstract: The arrangement includes a plurality of vertical water pipes with nozzles arranged on the pipes in a manner to minimize interaction between the water droplets coming from the nozzles. The arrangement consists of a plurality of spaced vertical water pipes arranged about a central area with a plurality of vertically spaced water nozzles located on each pipe. The nozzles on each vertical pipe are located along different horizontal planes from the nozzles on the adjacent vertical pipes.In another arrangement the vertically spaced nozzles on each vertical water pipe are circumferentially spaced from each vertically adjacent nozzle. Groups of vertical water pipes may be concentrically arranged about the central area with the spacing between the groups, the spacing of the vertical water pipes in each group and the location of the nozzles minimizing the interaction of the water droplets from the nozzles.

Abstract: A flow control nozzle for directing a liquid through the floor of a liquid containing basin which includes: a substantially vertical tubular portion having a lower end adapted to extend through the floor of the basin; a chamber portion having a bottom surface adapted to communicate with an upper end of the tubular portion, the bottom surface having openings formed therethrough and being positioned a predetermined distance above the floor of said basin so as to permit liquid to pass therethrough into said chamber portion; and an air vent tube having an upper end adapted to communicate with the atmosphere and a lower end adapted to communicate with said tubular portion.

Abstract: The difference in density between heated and unheated air is used to provide flow of air across a heat transfer means located underground. An underground passageway connects an inlet orifice with an outlet orifice for flow of ambient air therethrough. The passageway comprises at least one essentially vertical shaft, said vertical shaft terminating at the outlet orifice and containing proximate its lower end said heat transfer means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-functional grid structure for use in a vapor-liquid contact apparatus which includes a plurality of layers of relatively thin ribs. Some layers of ribs are flange-free and act as liquid distributors. Some layers of ribs include ribs with flanges and act as vapor-liquid contact devices. Some layers of ribs may have ribs with flanges having upturned edges which form channels, and such layers act as liquid collectors. A single grid structure performing these multiple functions normally requires only a single support structure, thereby saving on tower structure and cost.

Abstract: A wet cooling tower has an encircling exhaust header in communication with the exhaust of a plurality of gas turbines and a plurality of upwardly inclined conduits, which direct the hot exhaust gas tangentially into the cooling tower to increase the temperature and velocity of the moisture laden air flowing therethrough to lift the effluent air into the upper atmosphere and eliminate the plume under many weather conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a spacer-turbulator for use in separating corrugated type fill sheets of a cross-flow cooling tower and for imparting turbulence to the air flowing through said fill in said cross flow cooling tower.

Abstract: A gas and liquid contact apparatus includes at least one pair of generally vertically aligned contact bodies having pairs of opposed generally vertically and horizontally extending edge portions. The contact bodies have passageways formed therein which penetrate between the two opposed vertical edges of the body, with the horizontal edges thereof being open to admit liquid into the passageways. A liquid impervious distribution strip is located between the adjacent spaced horizontal edges of the contact bodies and extends across one of the vertical edges thereof, to deflect liquid migrating to the one vertical edge toward the other vertical edge of the contact body therebelow.

Abstract: A cooling tower has circumferentially distributed inlet openings at the lower end for the entrance of cooling air and a central upper outlet opening. Cooling air flows through the tower, on the one hand, counter-currently to a medium to be cooled which flows in downward direction over a trickling unit (wet cooling section), and on the other hand, parallel thereto about heat-exchanger elements, flown through by a medium to be cooled (dry cooling section). The trickling unit and the heat-exchanger elements are separated from each other.

Abstract: A cooling tower with a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced tubular heat exchanger units having their heat exchanger surfaces in vertical planes, preferably upwardly and outwardly inclined vertical planes, with the radial outer end of each unit having a greater width (in the vertical direction) than the radial inner end of each unit.

Abstract: Movable shutting up elements are provided for eliminating the diminishing effect of the wind on cooling equipment erected in open air. The movable openings shutting up elements are adjusted by a control or regulating device according to actual wind conditions, to effect a damming of pressure in the path of the streaming air in front of the heat exchanging surface, enabling the wind energy to be used to aid in increasing the cooling effect. The opening and closing of elements rotatable around a vertical axis may be used to utilize to a greater extent the wind energy in addition to their wind reflecting effects.