Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Mohammad Ali Ardekani ¹
• Foad Farhani ²
• Mohsen Mazidi ³

¹ Associate Professor, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran

³ Instructor, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran

Abstract

In a steam power plant, the temperature of the cooling water leaving the condenser for recycling
should decrease. This is achieved in a cooling tower. The Heller cooling tower does not require water
for operation, thus, it is a suitable system for use in thermal power plants throughout Iran. Wind is an
environmental factor that unfavorably affects the performance of a cooling tower. Previous studies
have not considered real prevailing conditions appropriately; their conclusions are incomplete and, at
times, contradictory. The present field study of the cooling tower at Montazer-Ghaem Power Plant in
the city of Karaj in Iran investigated the effect of wind on the thermal performance of the cooling
tower. Wind velocity was measured using blade-and-cup type digital anemometers. The direction of
the wind around the cooling tower was determined using tufts. Ultrasonic flow meters and resistance
thermometers were used to measure the flow rates and temperatures of the water at the inlet and outlet,
respectively. Results show that, despite air suction, no separation occurred at the periphery of the
cooling tower. The front cooling sectors that face the wind and the back sectors that do not directly
face the wind were more thermally efficient. They transferred about 60% more heat than did the
cooling sectors parallel to the wind direction at the periphery of the cooling tower. The results also
showed that thermal performance in the front and back cooling sectors increased as the wind velocity
increased and that in the peripheral sectors decreased.

Keywords

• Cooling tower
• field measurements
• Heat transfer
• Power Plant
• wind velocity

Main Subjects

• Experimental fluid mechanics and heat transfer