Exergy based performance analysis of a shower cooling tower

Abstract

The present study provides a descriptive mathematical model of energy and exergy for a shower cooling tower (SCT). The model is used to predict the variation in temperature and exergy along the tower length. The validity of the model for predicting variations in gas and liquid characteristics along the tower length was examined against some operating data measured in a cooling tower company. The results show that the exergy of water decreases as tower height increases. The distribution of the exergy loss is high at the bottom and gradually decreases moving up to the top of the tower. Moreover, 1.50 m/s air velocity results in less exergy destruction. With a decrease in the size of the water droplets, the fluids carrying energy have more opportunities for mass and energy transfers. © 2013 Journal of Mechanical Engineering.