Fill media, which is also known as cooling tower media, is one of the most critical parts of a cooling tower. Its main job is to speed up heat transmission by making the surface area of contact between heated water and incoming air larger. Read on to learn more.
Most of the time, cooling tower media is constructed of PVC, polypropylene, or other manufactured plastics that can handle being in water, heat, and treatment chemicals all the time.
How Cooling Tower Media Works
Cooling tower media slows down the flow of hot water and spreads it out into thin films or droplets. When air moves through the medium, heat moves from the water to the air stream. This lets cooled water gather in the basin below and be used again in the system. The water might lose more heat the greater surface area it has as it moves through the tower.
Types of Cooling Tower Media
There are two main types of cooling tower media that are utilized in commercial and industrial systems:
• Film Fill Media: This uses sheets that are very close together to disperse water into thin films. This type is often utilized in clean or well-treated water systems since it transfers heat very well.
• Splash Fill Media: This breaks up the water into droplets as it flows through the tower. This design is less likely to get clogged, hence it’s typically utilized in systems that have dirtier or more solid water.
The quality of the water, the conditions in which it will be used, and the design of the system all play a role in choosing the right media.
Materials Used in Cooling Tower Media
Most modern cooling tower media is constructed of long-lasting plastics like PVC or polypropylene. For high-temperature uses or places with harsh water chemistry, there may be specialized media possibilities.
When Cooling Tower Media Needs Replacement
If the media isn’t working as well as it used to, uses more energy, or has noticeable damage, it may need to be replaced.
Replacing old or broken media makes the system work better and helps keep other parts of the cooling tower from getting too hot.
Why Cooling Tower Media Is Critical to System Performance
Fans, pumps, and chillers have to work harder when the media is of poor quality or is broken. This raises operating costs and the chance of system failure.
For the best system performance and the longest life for your equipment, you need to check the cooling tower media regularly and replace it when it needs to be.
Universal Tower Parts In Phoenix, AZ
Universal Tower Parts provides stainless steel and galvanized options, welded and gasketed, direct, gear reducer and belt drive units, with efficient Jedair fans, and Jedair low noise fans. Strainers, fan guards and louvers are well constructed, and designed to operate efficiently as they perform their function. Cool Core drift eliminators and fill are made by Universal Tower Parts expressly for our towers.
