The selection of a cooling tower requires a clear definition of cooling requirements, including heat load, water flow rate, inlet and outlet water temperatures, ambient wet-bulb temperature, and approach. For industrial cooling towers, the typical approach range is between 2.8°C and 4.5°C. The choice of tower type should be based on the specific application scenario: counterflow cooling towers offer high heat exchange efficiency and are suitable for large-scale industrial applications; crossflow cooling towers require lower water pressure and are easier to maintain; closed-circuit cooling towers are ideal for applications with strict water quality requirements; and natural draft cooling towers, while having low energy consumption, entail higher initial investment and require a larger footprint, making them predominantly used in large power plants. Furthermore, factors such as the tower's physical shape, the environmental characteristics of the installation site (e.g., temperature, humidity, elevation), and additional features-such as noise control and automated control systems-must be taken into consideration. The selection process typically involves determining cooling requirements, assessing site-specific environmental conditions, and selecting the appropriate cooling tower type and configuration; product evaluation may also reference performance certifications and energy efficiency ratings (e.g., the power consumption ratio classification outlined in the Chinese National Standard GB/T 7190.1-2018).
Prior to installation, it is essential to ensure that the site is level (with a flatness tolerance of ≤ 5 mm/m), possesses adequate load-bearing capacity, and offers proper ventilation. Additionally, all equipment components must be verified to ensure completeness and checked for any signs of damage. During installation, the tower structure must be precisely leveled, maintaining a horizontal deviation of no more than 3 mm. Piping connections should be aligned straight and free of air pockets; pipelines should be sloped at a gradient of at least 0.5%, with air release valves installed at the highest points and drain valves at the lowest points. The installation of the fan and motor requires strict coaxial alignment, with a permissible deviation of no more than 0.1 mm. Commissioning procedures encompass both no-load and load testing: no-load testing involves manually verifying that the fan impeller rotates smoothly, while load testing requires gradually introducing circulating water up to the rated flow rate while monitoring the cooling performance. For factory-packaged cooling towers that have been disassembled for transport, the installation process should be carried out by certified, skilled technicians.
