New measurement method for in-field measurements of liquid phase drift from cooling towers

¹ 4Jtech s.r.o, Ringhofferova 115/1, 15521 Prague, Czech Republic
² Institute of Thermomechanics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Dolejskova 1402/5, 18200 Prague, Czech Republic

^* Corresponding author: veronika.barraclough@4jtech.cz

Published online: 11 July 2022

Abstract

This contribution introduces a newly proposed thermal based method for measurements of drift for in-field applications on real cooling towers up to an eliminator efficiency of approximately 0.0001% of circulating water flow. This method should thus become the main alternative to the methods used nowadays. The main advantage of this newly proposed measurement procedure should be its easy preparation and implementation and quick analysis of measurement results. The article summarizes the development of an innovative probe, and why this new probe and the entire method is needed for the industry. The design of this new probe consists of two main directions of development pathways: the electronic part and the aerodynamic part. The first one lies in the development of a sensor (and the accompanying electronics) and sums up the theoretical principle of the method (the calculation of droplet sizes scatter based on statistics, and the calculation of power needed for the sensor). The aerodynamics part derives from the desired efficiency and accuracy of the measurement and is based on precedent modelling and calculations of flow, containing droplets of various sizes through various uniquely shaped channels. The contribution also demonstrates an experiment made thus far, showing quantity measured and the drift evaluation process.