Capacity Estimation of Circulating Water-Cooling Systems Equipped with Polymeric Fills under Film Flow Conditions

A calculation method is presented for determining the capacity of small-scale cooling towers equipped with polymeric fills under film flow conditions, for establishing the geometric dimensions and relative position of polymeric fibers comprising the mesh frame, as well as ascertaining the specific flow rate and the cooling tower capacity at which film flow conditions are provided. The presented dependences indicate that a smaller cell size in the fill pack improves the mass flow rate of the liquid to be cooled, which, however, increases the mass of the fill per unit volume of the cooling tower. In addition, it is noted that the reduced size of individual fill cells leads to a rise in the aerodynamic drag coefficient that is proportional to the specific flow rate.