Anti-Freezing Study of High-Level Water-Collecting Natural Draft Wet-Cooling Tower Based on Its Water Temperature Distribution Characteristics

Abstract

Thermal power units play a crucial role in the deep peak regulation of power generation. During deep peak regulation, the load of the unit changes significantly, causing fluctuations in the inlet water temperature of the cooling tower and the water temperature in the filler. Therefore, in cold regions in winter, cooling towers have a high risk of freezing, which threatens the economic and safe operation of the unit. This paper establishes a three-dimensional numerical model based on constant heat dissipation and explores the average and minimum water temperatures at the bottom of filler under different water distribution methods, crosswind velocities, and ambient temperatures. The results show that the water distribution method has a significant impact on the water temperature at the filler bottom. Reducing the water distribution area can significantly increase the minimum water temperature at the filler bottom and reduce the risk of freezing. Although the presence of crosswind is not conducive to the cooling performance of the cooling tower, the higher the crosswind velocity, the higher the minimum outlet water temperature at the filler bottom and the lower the risk of freezing. The minimum water temperature at the filler bottom is approximately linearly related to the ambient temperature and is less affected by the unit load at the same temperature.

Study on the Influence of Circulating Water Bypass on the Thermal and Anti-Freezing Characteristics of High-Level Wet Cooling Tower

“…This paper established a 1:1 geometry model for a high-level water-collecting, natural draft wet cooling tower with a height of 158.22 m and a packing top radius of 55.07 m. 1. To ensure that inflow of boundary conditions can fully develop before reaching the cooling tower, the size of the computational domain should be 5 to 10 times the size of the tower [23]. The computational domain is a cylinder with a height of 1000 m and a diameter of 700 m. 1.…”

“…The computational domain is a cylinder with a height of 1000 m and a diameter of 700 m. 1. To ensure that inflow of boundary conditions can fully develop before reach ing the cooling tower, the size of the computational domain should be 5 to 10 times th size of the tower [23]. The computational domain is a cylinder with a height of 1000 m an a diameter of 700 m. The spray area above the packing is composed of water distribution pipes, spra heads, and other devices, whose main function is to atomize the circulating water int droplets.…”