July/August 2020

Focus on: Process Heating & Cooling Process, Controls & Plant July/August 2020 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 27 temporary cooling during the construction process. Building a field-erected cooling tower requires constructing a foundation in the form of a concrete cold water basin. The cost of this basin alone typically adds 40% to the tower construction costs. However, a factory-assembled tower includes an integral basin and eliminates the additional construction cost in field-erected projects. The accepted practice is to assemble and leak-test these integral basins in the factory. Field-erected towers often require onsite testing to verify they meet the specified cooling capacity. Conducted by independent third-party agencies, the tests typically cost about $25,000. Factory- assembled towers eliminate these additional expenses because they are certified by the Cooling Technology Institute to meet thermal performance as specified. Design advantages of new, pre- assembled cooling towers Cooling towers with advanced, modular design are often constructed of heavy mill galvanised or stainless steel and engineered to withstand the demands of both HVAC and heavy industrial applications. If equipped with the latest in drift eliminating technology, these towers can achieve the lowest measurable drift rate, down to 0.0005% of circulating water flow, so less water escapes the tower. In addition, the broader market has demanded more features for convenience and easy maintenance. The newest designs make inspections and maintenance safer and easier. Some of today’s towers even include up to seven-foot high access doors and an expansive interior with service decks. Cooling towers are typically designed to meet summer cooling demand. However, crossflow designs of modern, factory- assembled cooling towers permit “variable flow” operation, which reduces water flow rate and energy consumption during cooler months. This ensures energy is only expended for cooling when the plant truly needs it, maximising efficiency. By contrast, the counterflow design of many field- erected towers does not naturally allow • Steam boilers 150-15,880kg/hr • Hot water boilers 30-8,000kW/hr • Pressures from 7-17 bar • Oil, gas or dual fuel • Long or short term hire • Full commissioning service • 24/7 support SALES ● HIRE ● EXPORT +44 (0)1992 451629 www.kingsboilerhire.com The UK's largest provider of industrial Steam and Hot Water boiler plant. Fast, efficient Nationwide service for planned or emergency cover, R & D projects or extra capacity. BOILER HIRE SPECIALISTS changes in flow rate and uses the same amount of energy year-round, regardless of need. Crossflow designs also shield cold water basins from sun exposure, thwarting algae growth that can compromise tower performance and call for more frequent maintenance. Additionally, in cold weather, a crossflow design helps prevent high winds from causing water escape, which can lead to icing and safety concerns. Whether designing a cutting-edge cooling system or replacing a traditional cooling tower, carefully consider the latest technology and the best options for your application. Crossflow factory-assembled cooling tower designs are more frequently being tapped as the more efficient and cost-effective choice, especially as an alternative to more expensive and time- intensive field-erected construction projects, for an array of HVAC, process cooling and heavy industrial cooling applications. *Scott Maurer is a sales manager at SPX Cooling Technologies, based in Overland Park, Kansas. IF YOU’RE READING THIS, THEN SO ARE 30,000+ ENGINEERS IMAGINE THE IMPACT YOUR ADVERTISEMENT COULD HAVE Contact Damien Oxlee at PWE Tel: 01732 370340