ID 86

Optimizing Gas Cooling Applications

 

Abstract:

Sprays are widely used in cooling tower applications, where the atomization quality has an important influence on vaporization of the sprayed fluids. Spray angle and drop size distribution are critical spray parameters that affect the cooling efficiency. In this paper, a real case is presented where the injectors are analyzed at a range of operating conditions over a typical industrial process.

Thermal enthalpy equilibrium calculations determined the initial required parameters. Phase Doppler Interferometry was used to verify spray characteristics of candidate nozzles. A CFD model was used to examine the effects of spray nozzle arrangement for the cooling process, focusing on temperatures at the outlet of the tower’s cooling section. Characteristics such as velocity, spray concentration, and drop size distribution were modeled. Discrete phase model was applied to modeling particle injections and drop size distribution was assumed as a Rosin-Rammler model based on laboratory data acquired. The model results indicate that the spray cooling process was effective in terms of temperature reduction and reduced wall impingement.