Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
(OP)
Dear All,
I am currently involved in a mega petrochemical complex project. The overall cooling water consumption is more than 130,000 m3/h (10& margin) and the initial design is to split to users into 2 main clusters, so end up with 2 block/cooling tower in two different locations within the complex.
There are 18 and 16 cells respectively for each cooling tower (one basin each) with 4000 m3/h per cell.
The issue is we are at the bottleneck on the cell arrangement. There are two options:
a) 9 x 2 (rows) and 8 x 2 (rows)
b) 6 x 3 (rows) and 5 x 3 (rows)
The above 2 options are being discussed between ourselves (project owner) and contractor. Contractor is preferring option 2 with the reason of easy maintenance and piping/nozzle layout
However, project owner side is in the opinion that by having three rows will not have maintenance issue.
By having 2 rows of cell arrangement(option a), the overall unit length will be too long compare to option b.
Appreciate your feedback. Thank you.
I am currently involved in a mega petrochemical complex project. The overall cooling water consumption is more than 130,000 m3/h (10& margin) and the initial design is to split to users into 2 main clusters, so end up with 2 block/cooling tower in two different locations within the complex.
There are 18 and 16 cells respectively for each cooling tower (one basin each) with 4000 m3/h per cell.
The issue is we are at the bottleneck on the cell arrangement. There are two options:
a) 9 x 2 (rows) and 8 x 2 (rows)
b) 6 x 3 (rows) and 5 x 3 (rows)
The above 2 options are being discussed between ourselves (project owner) and contractor. Contractor is preferring option 2 with the reason of easy maintenance and piping/nozzle layout
However, project owner side is in the opinion that by having three rows will not have maintenance issue.
By having 2 rows of cell arrangement(option a), the overall unit length will be too long compare to option b.
Appreciate your feedback. Thank you.





RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
Also, just wondering the option B will have the STARVING TOWER FOR AIR scenario since there is a row of cell in the middle of the entire unit apart from what you described earlier.
In terms of maintenance and piping/nozzle layout consideration, what is your opinion on this aspect for both options?
Thanks in advance.
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
For the two parallel units there could be a common header for CW return between the 2 units, with pumps located on the outboard side.
For the 3 units in parallel, I think (if tower lenghts are E-W) you would have the headers all on the N or S side of each row, with pumps on the opposite sides.
Here is one that was installed 1056 ft long (100,750 m3/h):
http://www.geapowercooling.com/opencms/opencms/gpc...
I suggest you involve the aid of some good piping / layout designers / engineers to get a better handle on the proposed installation.
One thing for sure you need to have the cooling tower vendor tell you the minimum spacing between rows.
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
http://www.classikcoolingtowers.com/modular-coolin...
Note that the risers are both fed from the middle "aisle".
Good luck!
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
Anyhow, it seems like option B with all cells grouped together would probably need further enhancement.
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
Looking on the web I only see a few 2 row back / to back installations and no 3 row back to back to back units.
I suppose that is just a way too keep the fan blades from getting too long in radius. So maybe my first statement is incorrect.
This is something I would put heavily in the vendor's area of expertise.
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
2) no. of cells can be optimized by using more blades per fan and hence the total operation and maintenance cost can be saved.
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
Regardless, thanks you guys for all the valuable inputs...Cheers!
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design
http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/342223/enlarge
I would want to choose a supplier / field erection contractor that has demonstrated prior experience in similar projects.
This may put some of the smaller suppliers out of the picture.
Again, I think the decision should be governed by what the tower supplier recommends.
RE: Cooling Tower Cell Arrangement Design