Are you trying to determine if you need a crossflow or a counterflow cooling tower? At Star Cooling Towers, we can help you determine which type of cooling tower you need for your cooling operations and perform all repairs, retrofits, and maintenance services, but let’s take a look at crossflow and counterflow tooling towels and their differences.
Crossflow Cooling Towers
Crossflow cooling towers get their names from their cross-flow action. The hot water flows into the cooling tower from the top and is dispersed across the cooling fins via gravity. Cold, dry air from outside the tower enters via the sides and flows upwards across the cooling fins. As the air flows over the hot water, it causes an evaporative effect that lowers the temperature of the water. The hot, humid air is then released with the help of a large fan.
Crossflow Tower Pros
- Less susceptible to freezing in low temperatures when compared to counterflow towers
- Gravity-fed system requires less power to operate
- Offers variable flow rates to control cooling
- Low noise levels
- Easy to work on and maintain
Crossflow Tower Cons
- Air ports can get clogged with dirt and debris
- Variable flow may or may not be useful, depending on your operations
- Needs chemical treatments to prevent algae growth under the fan
Crossflow Tower Best Uses
Crossflow towers can be used in both hot and cold climates. However, they may not work well in areas with lots of blowing dust as the air ports tend to get clogged.
Counterflow Cooling Towers
Counterflow cooling towers get their name because the airflow enters opposite the hot water. The fan for a counterflow tower can either be on the intake or air outlet side. When the fan is located on the inlet side, it forces air through the tower at a high rate of speed. When it’s located on the outlet side, it pulls air through the cooling tower.
Counterflow Tower Pros
- Low space requirement and overall footprint
- Offer better cooling performance than a crossflow cooling tower
- Isn’t as susceptible to algae growth when compared to a crossflow cooling tower
- Water flow spillage is less of a problem with the counterflow tower design
- Isn’t susceptible to getting clogged from blowing dust and dirt.
Counterflow Tower Cons
- The compact design for counterflow towers can make maintenance more challenging than with other types of cooling towers
- Needs a large fan head and uses more energy than a crossflow tower
- Tends to be louder than a crossflow cooling tower
Counterflow Tower Best Uses
Counterflow cooling towers work well in warm climates and areas that are prone to dust storms or blowing dirt.
Counterflow and Crossflow Cooling Towers from Star Cooling Towers
If you need a new crossflow or counterflow cooling tower, our team at Star Cooling Towers can help you. We offer custom-designed cooling towers as well as parts, repairs, retrofits, and emergency cooling tower services.
To learn more about our cooling towers and the services we provide, call us at 832-702-3526.
