What Are Cooling Tower Drift Eliminators?

In every cooling tower, there is some evaporative water loss. Drift eliminators are designed to minimize the water carried out of the tower with exhaust air. Essentially, drift eliminators prevent water droplets from exiting the tower. If you're searching online for what are cooling tower drift eliminators, this post will explain their functions and features.

For more details, please visit the function of drift eliminator in cooling tower.

Drift Eliminator Functions

• Change the direction of the airflow suddenly.
• Separate droplets from the air stream.
• Deposit these droplets on the eliminator surface.
• Return droplets back into the tower.

Drift eliminators trap water droplets from the air stream, preventing moisture from escaping the cooling tower. Effective drift eliminators remove these droplets, reducing the loss of processed water. Working properly, they change the direction of water droplets, separate them from the air, and direct them back into the tower, minimizing circulating water in the exhaust. Without doubt, drift eliminators play a vital role in cooling tower efficiency.

Drift Eliminator Features

When selecting drift eliminators, ensure they have these qualities:

• Cost-efficiency.
• Smooth operation.
• High performance.
• Compliance with safety regulations.
• Ease of use and maintenance.

More information on Cooling Tower Products' drift eliminators can be found here.

Types Of Drift Eliminators

There are various types of drift eliminators available. They are generally categorized as crossflow and counterflow.

Crossflow drift eliminators: These have horizontal air flow with water flowing downward. They are known for low noise, high performance, and minimal maintenance.

Counterflow drift eliminators: These have vertical air flow. Water flows from top to bottom, which allows faster exhaust. These eliminators consume less energy and require minimal maintenance, with a lower pump head.

Standard drift eliminators: These prevent harmful water droplets from escaping into the environment.

Cellular drift eliminators: Designed for maximum drift removal efficiency, they offer flexibility for installations.

Blade drift eliminators: A cost-effective option known for durability and a long lifespan.

Cooling Towers That Use Drift Eliminators

Drift eliminators are used in various cooling towers, including:

• Counterflow cooling towers
• Crossflow cooling towers
• Closed circuit coolers
• Evaporative condensers
• Forced draft cooling towers
• Fluid coolers
• Induced draft cooling towers

Drift Eliminators For Sale

Cooling Tower Products currently offers various drift eliminators for sale.

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Cooling Tower Drift Eliminators – All You Need to Know

Maintaining High-Quality Standards in Cooling Systems

The primary purpose of drift eliminators is to reduce the escape of water droplets in discharge air streams from cooling towers and evaporative condensers. UK legislation (HSG274 Part 1) states that "Drift eliminators should be installed in all towers that have fans." Therefore, except for low-velocity natural draught towers, these components are essential across all cooling towers.

What is a Drift Eliminator?

A drift eliminator is a device with baffles designed to minimize water droplets discharging from a cooling tower. They are typically made from PVC or polypropylene (PP) and are located on the discharge side of the tower.

Why do we need Drift Eliminators?

Drift eliminators protect people and the environment from aerosols and water droplets from cooling towers. They also help conserve water and improve water treatment efficacy. If water treatment fails, drift eliminators provide a last line of defense against harmful legionella bacteria.

A Note on Drift Eliminator Efficiency

Drift eliminator efficiency is measured by the drift rate, shown as a percentage of the circulating water flow rate. For example, a cooling system with a flow rate of 200m³/hr using an eliminator with a drift rate of 0.0005% will have a drift loss of 0.001m³/hr or 1 liter per hour. High efficiency minimizes water loss and reduces treatment costs.

The efficiency relies on the inertial impact of water droplets on the eliminator walls due to changing airflow direction. Slow or fast airflow can affect efficiency, requiring optimal velocities between 2.3 and 3.5m/s for proper operation.

Cooling tower design also affects efficiency. Plenum height must allow even air distribution. Distribution nozzles and their setup impact droplet size and distance to the eliminator.

Drift Eliminator Material

Polymer materials, primarily PVC and PP, are chosen for their strength and longevity. However, they can repel water, causing beading and potential drift loss. Ageing of the materials can increase their efficiency as they become fully wetted out over time. PP operates in more extreme temperatures than PVC, offering different benefits based on need.

Framed or Unframed?

Unframed eliminators are lightweight and easy to handle but may have a shorter lifespan. Framed eliminators, typically made with stainless steel, offer durability and protection. Whichever type is chosen, ensuring no drift escape between modules is crucial.

Maintenance

Maintenance is critical for performance and safety. Drift eliminators should be easy to handle, remove, and clean. Over time, they may become brittle due to chemical attacks, UV radiation, or extreme temperatures. Regular inspection and cleaning are necessary to maintain efficiency. Permanent access platforms with handrails provide safe access for maintenance.

Drift Eliminator Replacement

Drift eliminators do not always need OEM replacements and may require upgrading. Consult a cooling tower specialist for options that ensure longevity, ease of maintenance, and performance. Considering variable speed drives can also help reduce drift escape by altering fan speeds based on cooling demand.

Final Thoughts

This overview covers the functions and performance of drift eliminators in cooling towers and evaporative condensers. If you have specific questions, please contact us. For more information on combatting legionella with drift eliminators, see our article.

The Vistech Team

The Vistech team is ready to assist with any stage of your cooling system project. For more information on cooling tower king sun, contact us. Our experienced sales team can help you find the best options for your needs.