Investigation into the positive effects of wind deflectors on natural draft wet cooling towers under crosswinds

Abstract

Abstract In order to reduce the adverse effects of crosswinds on the intake air of natural draft counter-flow wet cooling towers, a new method of optimizing the air intake was introduced, that is installing wind deflectors in the circumferential direction of the air inlet, and for quantitative analysis of the uniformity of the circumferential air intake of the cooling tower, the air inlet uniformity factor was defined. Based on the thermal model experiment, the effect of installing the wind deflector on the inlet air and thermal performance of the wet cooling tower is studied under crosswind conditions. Through the comparative analysis of the air intake performance and cooling efficiency, two fundamental reasons for the influence of cross wind on the cooling performance are revealed: crosswinds not only reduce the amount of ventilation, but also destroy the uniformity of the circumferential air intake of the cooling tower. After installing the wind deflector to optimize the circumferential air intake, the ventilation volume is increased, the air intake uniformity coefficient is also greatly improved, the heat and mass transfer uniformity in the tower is enhanced, and the cooling efficiency is greatly improved.