Select the right cooling tower fill

Because there are so many types of internal fills available, it is important to choose the correct one when repairing or revamping a cooling tower. In selecting fill or a new cooling tower configuration, check with a consultant who has experience with all of the different types of manufacturers and cooling tower internal elements. This is because some fill manufacturers produce performance curves claiming superior heat-transfer qualities. These claims are often backed by test procedures and data that are difficult for a user to verify. Whether or not these qualities are accurately portrayed, it is a good idea to thoroughly investigate past performance so the installation is not an on-the-job testing site. The paper discusses using a consultant, cooling tower basics, how fill cools, cellular fill, selection criteria, alternate fills, three case histories, and performance penalties.