Determination of Discharge Coefficients for Hydraulic Sparger Design

This paper provides design examples and summarizes a study on the determination of multiple free discharge orifice coefficients in a circular walled manifold for a variety of shapes and area projections. A simplified design procedure is presented which allows engineers to accurately maintain a given pressure and flow at the entrance to the sparger. The design provides for uniform flow across the cooling tower basin, and prevents an increase in back pressure or open channel flow within the sparger, minimizing the effect of surging or pressure fluctuations on upstream performance.