Fill media is essential for ensuring the proper operation of cooling towers. There are numerous decisions to be made and things to be aware of when it comes to adequately supplying cooling towers with an appropriate fill media.
The more informed you are regarding fill media, the more efficient your industrial cooling tower operation is going to be. The following are five important factors to be aware of when it comes to fill media used for cooling towers:
Two major options for fill media
There are two main types of fill media out there. It's important at any type of industrial or manufacturing facility to determine what the best type of fill media is for the particular application in question. The two main options available are film fill and splash fill.
Film fill consists of fill sheets that are formed into a pattern that's corrugated so that the water can travel over it. While film fill cannot allow for the redistribution of water, it does provide the advantage of increased water surface per unit of volume.
The advantage of splash film is that it provides the advantage of a minimized resistance regarding airflow over the horizontal.
What the main function of fill media is
There are actually numerous functions that fill media is responsible for. In addition to dissipating heat, fill media is also needed in cooling towers to maximize the residence time of the water and to maximize the area that is available for heat transfer.
How fill media works
Basically, fill media is necessary to achieve the greatest possible surface available for heat transfer to create a cooling effect in a cooling tower. Fill media is needed to increase surface area within the tower and thereby facilitate evaporation.
The process of choosing the right type
It's important to analyze the scenario to figure out whether film or splash media is appropriate. Film fill is advisable if heat transfer is the priority. On the other hand, splash media is best if water needs to be recirculated and the water has a high content of solids in it.
Symptoms of the need for replacement
After fill media has been chosen and put in place, it's important to know when it needs to be replaced.
Some possible signs that may present themselves indicating the need for replacement are the buildup of calcium deposits, unevenness regarding water distribution, and an otherwise unexplained rise in the energy consumption of a cooling tower.