DREW INDUSTRIAL DIVISION COOLING WATER TREATMENT

Modified Cooling Tower Thermal Efficiency Testing

The ability of a plants cooling water system to reject heat
from a process is dependent upon the cleanliness of the heat
transfer surfaces and the thermal efficiency of the cooling
tower. While a significant amount of effort is often spent
monitoring and controlling fouling of heat exchanger
surfaces, little attention is generally given to the cooling
tower itself.
The thermal efficiency of a cooling tower may become a
concern if it is old and appears physically to be in bad
condition, or, if the overall heat exchange capacity of the
cooling system is deteriorating, even though heat
exchangers are clean. As part of our service program, Drew
Industrial offers a Modified Thermal Efficiency Test on
water cooling towers which involves measuring the
following parameters:
Wet-bulb temperature
Hot return water temperature
Cold supply water temperature
Fan motor power
In addition, the tower manufacturer performance curves for
90%, 100% and 110% of design water flow, the fan motor
efficiency and gear reducer no-load power data are
necessary to complete the calculations.
Measurement of Parameters
Prior to performing the actual test, a pre-test check of the
physical condition of the cooling tower should be
performed. Any deficiencies should be corrected at this time
to conduct a meaningful test. The fan motor power should be
checked at this time, and the fan blades repitched if the
power readings are out of specification.
At the time the tests are conducted, the tower should be
operating at steady state conditions, with the blowdown and
makeup shut-off. By eliminating the thermal effects of the
makeup and blowdown, the accuracy of the test is enhanced.
The fan motor power reading is taken immediately before
the remainder of the data collection. The temperature
readings will be taken every five (5) minutes for a twenty
(20) minute period.

Circulating water flow Continued on page 2.

FIGURE 1

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1995 Ashland Inc. All Rights Reserved. Created in U.S.A CWT-AB-13

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DREW INDUSTRIAL DIVISION One Drew Plaza, Boonton, New Jersey 07005 Tel: (973) 263-7600 Fax: (973) 263-4483
Analyses of Test Data
Through a series of calculations and graphical analysis, the thermal capacity of the cooling tower is determined, based upon the
data collected over the twenty (20) minute period of steady state operation. Should the calculated thermal capacity be less than
90% of design capacity, a Cooling Tower Institute Code ATC-105 test is recommended. This test can be obtained through the
Cooling Tower Institute, P.O. Box 73383, Houston, Texas 77273.

The Analysis Cross Plot is constructed by plotting the flow

across each cell, in gallons per minute, against the cold water
temperatures at both the design and the test conditions. By
entering the test cross-plot at the equivalent test water rated
the predicted test cold water temperature is indicated. Then
the test cross-plot is entered at the test cold water
temperatures and the predicted test water rate is indicated.
The adjusted design water rate is calculated by dividing the
design water rate by the tower capacity as determined in the
thermal efficiency test. The design cross-plot is then entered
at the adjusted design water rated and the predicted design
cold water temperature is indicated

Cross Plot Number 1 is constructed from the cooling tower

manufacturers performance curves for 90%, 100% and 110%
of design water flow, by plotting the range against the cold
water temperature for each of the three water flows. A
vertical line is then drawn through the curves at the
temperature range measured during the test.

CWT-AB-13