Mathematical Modeling for Performance Simulation of Counter Flow Cooling Tower

In this paper, mathematical modeling and simulation of the counter flow cooling tower were performed by using heat and mass transfer equations without using simplified assumptions. Governing differential equations for air and water in the cooling tower were solved by numerical method and the results are validated by experimental results available in the literature. Also, experimental tests were performed on the cooling tower of a power plant to obtain its characteristic curve. Using the performance curve of the tower and the governing differential equations, the behavior of the tower was predicted at different weather conditions and compared with actual data on the plant which shows good agreement. The results indicate that ambient wet bulb temperature has important effect on the tower performance. By prediction the tower performance and specially by proper prediction of water outlet temperature at hot weather condition it is possible to make necessary arrangement like increasing the air flow rate to prevent disturbance in the tower performance.