Analysis of Heat, Mass, and Momentum Transfer in the Rain Zone of Counterflow Cooling Towers

Abstract

The rate of heat, mass, and momentum transfer in the rain zone of three counterflow cooling tower geometries is analyzed using simplifying assumptions and numerical integration. The objective of the analysis is to generate equations for use in a one-dimensional mathematical cooling tower performance evaluations. Droplet deformation is taken into account and momentum transfer is calculated from the air flow’s mechanical energy loss, caused by air-droplet interaction. A comparison of dimensionless semi-empirical equations and experimental data demonstrates the method’s capability to predict the pressure drop in a counterflow rain zone.