Cooling Tower Performance Evaluation: Merkel, Poppe, and e-NTU Methods of Analysis

Abstract

The heat rejected and water evaporated in mechanical and natural draft cooling towers are critically evaluated by employing the Merkel, Poppe, and e–number-of-transfer-units e-NTU methods of analysis, respectively, at different operating and ambient conditions. The importance of using a particular method of analysis when evaluating the performance characteristics of a certain fill material and subsequently employing the same analytical approach to predict cooling tower performance is stressed. The effect of ambient humidity and temperature on the performance of cooling towers employing the Merkel, e-NTU, and Poppe methods of analysis are evaluated.