Cooling tower -- hot and cold water tanks

In summary, the need for hot and cold water tanks in open circuit cooling towers is to regulate fill levels and mitigate flow rate and pressure fluctuations. These tanks are used in projects such as aluminum casting workshops and are typically made of concrete. The purpose of the warm water tank may be to provide suction head for the pump, while the cold water tank is used for receiving water from the tower. The use of surge tanks is also beneficial when dealing with chemical treatments and allows for the capture and reuse of water during maintenance.
  • #1
BenjaminSa
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Hi
In some projects, I saw that hot and cold water tanks have been used for open circuit cooling towers. What is the need to use these tanks?
 
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  • #2
Can you give some links to the projects you saw? We need to understand the kind of project you're asking about.
 
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  • #3
There has to be a cold water tank to receive what's coming out of the tower and regulate the fill level of the system. But I'm not sure why you would need a warm water tank.
 
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  • #4
russ_watters said:
There has to be a cold water tank to receive what's coming out of the tower and regulate the fill level of the system. But I'm not sure why you would need a warm water tank.
maybe for surge purposes.
 
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  • #5
anorlunda said:
Can you give some links to the projects you saw? We need to understand the kind of project you're asking about.
The cooling tower unit is used for the aluminum casting workshop
And the tanks were made of concrete
cold water tank: about 350 m3
warm water tank: about 350 m3
cooling water flow: 450 m3/hr
 
  • #6
Chestermiller said:
maybe for surge purposes.
Can you explain more?
 
  • #7
BenjaminSa said:
Can you explain more?
A surge tank is used to mitigate flow rate- and pressure fluctuations in a continuous flow process.
 
  • #8
Chestermiller said:
maybe for surge purposes.
Sure, that's why it is done on the cool(downstream) side. When you turn on/off the tower, the tower fills/empties, so that water has to come from/go somewhere. But I can't envision a surge need on the upstream side. Can you think of something specific?
 
  • #9
If the water includes chemical treatments, it may be that they want to capture and reuse the water if the tower has to be drained for maintenance purposes. Two tanks just to allow gravity drain?
 
  • #10
Is the hot water pumped into the tower? If so, maybe the hot tank is simply to provide suction head for the pump?

A sketch of the configuration would help.
 
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  • #11
Not the OP, but here's a typically cooling tower piping diagram with one surge tank (the tower basin):

Nd9GcRyrREENe2vprloja6vSR7aa01dToF1rVLgoA&usqp=CAU.png
 
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  • #12
Aha, that makes more sense, pump the cooler water using the tower basin for pump suction.
 
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FAQ: Cooling tower -- hot and cold water tanks

What is a cooling tower?

A cooling tower is a specialized structure used to remove heat from a building or industrial process by circulating water through the tower. It works by evaporating a small portion of the water, which cools the remaining water that is then recirculated back into the system.

What is the purpose of hot and cold water tanks in a cooling tower?

The hot and cold water tanks in a cooling tower are used to store water that is either heated or cooled by the tower. The hot water tank stores the water that has been heated by the cooling process, while the cold water tank stores the water that has been cooled and is ready to be recirculated.

How does a cooling tower regulate the temperature of the water?

A cooling tower uses a combination of evaporation and heat transfer to regulate the temperature of the water. As water is pumped through the tower, a small portion of it is evaporated, which cools the remaining water. The tower also uses fans and air flow to help facilitate the cooling process.

What are the benefits of using a cooling tower?

Cooling towers have several benefits, including energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. They use less energy than traditional air conditioning systems and can save money on cooling costs. They also use water as a cooling agent, which is a more sustainable option compared to refrigerants used in air conditioning systems.

How do you maintain a cooling tower?

Maintenance of a cooling tower is important to ensure its efficient operation. This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting the tower to prevent the buildup of bacteria and algae. The water levels should also be regularly checked and topped up as needed. Additionally, the fans, pumps, and other mechanical components should be inspected and maintained to ensure they are functioning properly.

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