Crossflow Cooling Tower

Typically lower initial and long-term cost, mostly due to pump requirements.

Crossflow is a design in which the airflow is directed perpendicular to the water flow (see diagram at left). Airflow enters one or more vertical faces of the cooling tower to meet the fill material. Water flows (perpendicular to the air) through the fill by gravity. The air continues through the fill and thus past the water flow into an open plenum volume. Lastly, a fan forces the air out into the atmosphere.

A distribution or hot water basin consisting of a deep pan with holes or nozzles in its bottom is located near the top of a crossflow tower. Gravity distributes the water through the nozzles uniformly across the fill material. Cross Flow V/s Counter Flow

Advantages of the crossflow design:

• Gravity water distribution allows smaller pumps and maintenance while in use.

• Non-pressurized spray simplifies variable flow.

Disadvantages of the crossflow design:

• More prone to freezing than counterflow designs.

• Variable flow is useless in some conditions.

• More prone to dirt buildup in the fill than counterflow designs, especially in dusty or sandy areas.