Cooling Tower Application, according Treybal [1]

Index

1 Data

2 Tower height

3 NTU and HTU

4 Tower area

5 Compensation water

6 Operating diagram

7 Cooling tower schematic

8 Example 7.1

9 Comment

10 Trapezoidal rule

Ref. 1
Ref. 2
Ref
Collaborations
, according Treybal [1]

Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014

Index

Data for cooling tower application

Main equations and results

Cooling Tower height, NTU and HTU

Free-cross sectional surface of tower

Compensation, elimination, evaporation and entrainment fow rates

Equilibrium curve and operation lines

Schema

Treybal example of cooling tower

Data of thermal power, not used in example 7.1

Numerical integration with the trapezoidal rule

Pages 274 to 282. Cooling of water with air

Packing height and free-cross sectional surface of a tower
References
Comments and contributions from
Cooling Tower Application Data

This application will be realized with following numerical data (Note 1).

Data for numerial example

Water flow rate entering the tower L2 = 15 kg /s
Temperature of water entering the tower at the top (2) tL2 = 45 C
Dry bulb temperature of air entering the tower tdbG1 = 30 C
Wet bulb temperature of air entering the tower twbG1 = 24 C
Local height above sea level H= 0 m.a.s.l.
Mximum cooling temperature will be defined with
a differential temperature t above air wet bulb temp. t = 5 K
Air to water flow rate ratio shall be "r" times its
minimum possible value r= 1.5
The compensation water entering the system wil have a
temperature tcomp = 10 C
and a hardness da_c = 500 ppm
The in the system circulating water sould have a
maximum hardness da_M = 2000 ppm
Mass transfer coefficient in the air ky_kmol = 6.2E-05 kmol / ( m2*s)
Tower effective heat or mass transfer surface a= 500 m/m
Liquid unit mass flow rate Lu = 2.7 kg/(s*m2)
Air unit mass flow rate Gu = 2.0 kg/(s*m2)

Air molecular mass Mair = 28.96 kg/kmol

Notes
1.- This data has been taken from [1], example 7.1, pages 278-281.
2.- The data "Q" is not used, since it would be in contradiction with other input data (See sheet 9)
Q= 270 W
Help Variables
Cooling Tower Schema
State L1
Water leaving the tower
tL1 = twbG1 + t
tbhG1 24 L2 =
t = 5 K tL2 =
tL1 = 29 C

State G1 Compensation water

Ambient air entering the tower tacomp = 10 C
tbsG1 = 30 C dac = 500 ppm
tbhG1 24 C
H= 0.0 m
h = Sicro_Enthalpy_tdb_twb_H
h= #VALUE! kJ/kg Q W
x = Sicro_AbsoluteHumidity_tdb_twb_H
x= #VALUE! kg/lg

Mass transfer coefficient

Mass transfer coefficient in the air
ky_kmol = 6.2E-05 kmol / ( m2*s)
Air molecular mass tL1 =
Mair = 28.96 kg/kmol
Mas transfer per kilogram Blowdown wa
ky = ky_kmol * Mair daM =
ky_kmol = 6.2E-05 kmol / ( m2*s)
Mair = 28.96 kg/kmol
ky = 0.0018 kg / ( m2*s)

Product Ky*a
Ky*a = Ky*a
ky = 0.0018 kg / ( m2*s)
a= 500 m/m
Ky*a = 0.90 kg / ( m3*s)
 Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014

ooling Tower Schema

15 kg / s
45 C Air
Water
2
L2 G2

Cooling
tower

G1
G1 tdbG1 = 30 C
1 L1
twbG1 24 C
Water
29 C Air

Blowdown water: B
2000 ppm
Cooling Tower height

Tower packing height [2] Height of Transfer Unit "HTU"

The packing height (Z) of a tower can be calculated as Gd

HTU
MB ky a A
Z HTU NTU [1], eq. (7.53), page 276
HTU =
with HTU =
Gd
HTU [1], page 276
M B ky a A
Number of Transfer Units
The number of transfer units (NTU
is calculated by numerical integta
h2'
and
dh ' ky aZ Z Sheet "3.- NTU" presents a calcula
NTU N tOG

h1'
h '* h '

Gd'

H tOG
example of the NTU.

Result of NTU example (sheet 3. N

NTU =
HTU H tOG NTU =
Z
NTU ( Eq.7.54) Tower packing height
HTU Z=
Z HTU NTU HTU =
NTU =
Z=
 Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014

eight of Transfer Unit "HTU" Z: Tower packing height [m]

Gd : flow rate of dry air (is a constant) [kg/s]
Gd MB : molar mass of air [kg/kmol]
HTU
MB ky a A ky : mass transfer coefficient in the air [kmol/(ms)]
a: effective heat or mass transfer surface [m/m]
Gd / (MB * ky * a * A) A: free cross-sectional surface of the tower [m]
#VALUE! m h' : enthalpy in the air phase = enthalpy of
humid air (in the bulk phase) [J/kg]
umber of Transfer Units h'*: enthalpy in the air phase (i: at ther boundary, [J/kg]
he number of transfer units (NTU) that is, in saturated condition)
calculated by numerical integtation. HTU : Height of Transfer Unit (also, HtG) [m]
heet "3.- NTU" presents a calculation NTU : Number of Transfer Units (also, NtG) [-]
xample of the NTU. Subscripts
B: substance dry air
esult of NTU example (sheet 3. NTU & H d: dry air
(hL_a - hL_b) / N * f(x) 2: top of the tower
#VALUE! - 1: bottom of the tower

ower packing height

HTU * NTU
#VALUE! m
#VALUE! -
#VALUE! m
Height of Transfer Units HTU

G: molar mass flow rate per unit area [kmol (m*s)]

G': mass flow rate per unit area [kg (m*s)]

G' = G [kmol / (m)*s) ) * MB[kg / kmol]

G' = G * MB [kg / (m*s)]

MB : molar mass of air [kg/kmol]

kY: mass transfer coefficient in the air [kmol / (m*s)]
a: effective heat or mass transfer surface [m / m]
A: free cross-sectional surface of the tower [m]

kg
Gd
HTU s
M B ky a A kg kmol m 2
2
m
kmol m 2 s m 3
Gd
HTU m
M B ky a A
Introducin g the Air unit mass flow rate G'
Gd
kg
G' s m2
A
G'
HTU m
M B ky a

G'
HTU m
M B ky a
HTU = G' / ( MB * ky * a )
G' = 2 kg dry air /( s*m)
MB = 28.96 kg/kmol
ky = 6.2E-05 kmol/(m*s)
a= 500 m/m
HTU = 2.2 m
NTU and HTU calculations
Column 1 Column 2
Equilibrium curve for saturated air.
Water temperature at inlet of tower (top) The curve is drawn using the function
tL2 = 45 C hair,sat = Sicro_Enthalpy_tdb_f_H
Water temperature at tower outlet (bottom) using a relative humidity
tL1 = 29 C f= 100 %
Range: tL2 -> tL1 and the local heigt
H= 0 m.a.s.l.
Number of sections A temperature range is selected to
The range will be divided in a number "N" cover a range A-B, with
of sections tA = 25 C
N= 6 tB = 47 C
Column 3
Column 1 starts with temperature "tL2" Operation line for the minimum possible
and ends with temperature "tL1". air flow rate G's.min. (i.e., r = 1)
Between both temperatures, "N-1" For this type of operation, the operation
temperatures are inserted to define line will have the minimum slope that
the N sections. All section are defined would allow it to touch the equilibrium
with the same temperature differential. curve (will be tangent to this curve).
Air enters at the bottom of the tower at
Temperature differential contition G1:
tL = tL2 - tL1 C tbsG1 = 30 C
tL2 = 45 C tbhG1 24 C
tL1 = 29 C H= 0 m.a.s.l.
tL = 16 K hG1 #VALUE! kJ/kg
fG1 = #VALUE! %
Section temperature increment Air leaves at the top (case r = 1)
tL_Sect = tL / N Sheet 8, shows the calculation of the
tL = 16 K enthalpy obtained when accomplishing
N= 6 - with this condition.
tL_Sect = 2.67 K Th calculated value is
hGo' = #VALUE! kJ/kg
Temperature at point "i+1" at a temperature
ti+1 = ti + tL_sect tGo' = 45 C

Table 1. Tower packin

1 2 3 3a 4 5
Liquid Equilibrium Operation Operation
temperature curve for line for line for
saturated air. r=1 h = r = 1.5 h =
tL hair,sat hoper_r=1 hair,sat -hop_r=1 hoper_r=1.5 hair,sat -hop_r=1.5

kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg

 47 #VALUE!
Top.(2) 45 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
42.33 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
39.67 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
37.00 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
34.33 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
31.67 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
Bottom (1) 29 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
25.5 #VALUE!
25 #VALUE!

Note1. 3
The equilibrium data used by Treybal is Enthalpy potential
taken from a graphic (Fig. 7.5a) Columns 3a and 5
The equilibrium data resulting from the Ref. 4 (28.4)
use of the functions, is similar to the
data from Ashrae Fundamentals
Example Ashrae Functions Treybal
t C ts kJ/kg ts kJ/kg ts kJ/kg
45 214.16 212.96 216
29 94.88 94.41 100

Note 2
Integration according the the trapezoidal rule
See sheet 10.

Height of tower packing Number of Transfer Units "NTU"

From Treibal, Equation (7-51)

H 2'
GS' dH ' I y ,a
Z ' m (7.51a)

ky a H ' Hi H ' 1
NTU
dI y
1

I y ,i I y
I y ,b
H 2'
dH ' (7.51b)
NTU '
H'
Hi H ' The numerial integration of NTU is
1
performed by means of the trapezoidal
where H'2 and H'1 are the enthalpies of integration method.
the air-water mixture for the actual case, According this method, the integration
that is, in this case for r = 1.5. is realized as it is shown in the columns
6, 7 and 8.

' The final evaluation is done according

G
HTU = S [ m ]
k ya
 G 'S
HTU = [ m] (7.51c) following equation
k ya

hL _ a hL _ b
Z =HTUNTU [ m ] (7.51d)
NTU
2 N
f ( x)
NTU = (hL_a - hL_b) /(2* N) *
Also where
hL_in_r=1.5 = #VALUE!
GS hL_out=r=1.5= #VALUE!
HTU = N= 6
M Bk yaA f(x) = #VALUE!

Numerical results shown are from next NTU = #VALUE!

calculation sheets.
Treybal [2] result is
NTU = 3.25
The difference comes from the values of
the Sicrometric properties.
Also, the numerical integration method
is not indicated.

Comparison between the example calculation table and the table from Treibal

Calculation table, using Sicrometric functions.

1 2 3 4 5 6
Curva de Lnea de Lnea de
equilibrio para operacin operacin
aire saturado para r = 1 para r = 1.5 h = 1/h
t hair,sat hoper_r=1 hoper_r=1.5 hair,sat -hop_r=1.5
kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg 1/(kJ/kg)
25 #VALUE!
25.5 #VALUE!
29 #VALUE! 72 72 #VALUE! #VALUE!
31.67 #VALUE! 96 87.7 #VALUE! #VALUE!
34.33 #VALUE! 119 103.4 #VALUE! #VALUE!
37.00 #VALUE! 143 119.1 #VALUE! #VALUE!
39.67 #VALUE! 166 134.9 #VALUE! #VALUE!
42.33 #VALUE! 190 150.6 #VALUE! #VALUE!
45.00 #VALUE! 213 166.27 #VALUE! #VALUE!

Table from Treybal [1], page 280

1 2 3 4 5 6
Curva de Lnea de Lnea de
equilibrio para operacin operacin
aire saturado para r = 1 para r = 1.5 h = 1/h
t hair,sat hoper_r=1 hoper_r=1.5 hair,sat -hop_r=1.5
kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg 1/(kJ/kg)
25 #VALUE!
25.5 #VALUE!
 29 100.0 72 72 28.0 0.0357
31.67 114.0 96 92.0 22.0 0.0455
34.33 129.8 119 106.5 23.3 0.0429
37.00 147.0 143 121.0 26.0 0.0385
39.67 166.8 166 135.5 31.3 0.0319
42.33 191.0 190 149.5 41.5 0.0241
45.00 216.0 213 163.50 52.5 0.0190
 Sicro_Enthalpy_tdb_f_H(tdb, f, H) Sicro_Enthalpy_tdb_f_H(tdb, f, H)
Operation line Column 3a Column 5
Water leaves the tower at Driving enthalpy difference at a point "i" Driving enthalpy difference at a point "
tL1 = 29 C hi = hair,sat_i -hop_r=1_i hi =
The air propertiy at Column 4 Column 6
tbsG1 = 29 C Operation line for r = 1.5 Reciproc of driving enthalpy difference
tbhG1 24 C The line starts from the same point N Column 7
H= 0 m.a.s.l. with the properties at the inlet defined as Coefficients for numerical integration
is the state G1. Ci =
hG1 = #VALUE! kJ/kg Gs = r * Gr=1
The point N in diagram is: r= 1.5 Column 8
tN = 29 C Gr=1 = #VALUE! kg as/s Numerical integration elements
hN = #VALUE! kJ/kg Gs = #VALUE! kg as/s f(xi) =
The operation linefor r = 1, is the Slope of line with r = 1.5
straight line con: r = G / Gmin S=m= L * Cpw / Gs (7.54)
Slope of operation line witrh r = 1 L= 15 kg/s Air flow rate
Sr=1 = (hG2' - hG1) / (tL2 - tL1) Cpw = 4.1868 kJ/(kg*K) From heat balance
hG2' = #VALUE! kJ/kg Gs = #VALUE! kg as/s H air H Liquid
hG1 = #VALUE! kJ/kg S= #VALUE! (kJ/kg)/K 2 : top
tL2 = 45 C Exit enthalpy 1 : bottom
tN = 29 C S= (hG2 - hG1) / (tbsG2 - tbsG1) GS hG 2 hG1 L c pw t L 2 t L1
Sr=1 = #VALUE! (kJ/kg)/K hG2 = hG1 + S * (tbsG2 - tbsG1)
GS L c pw
t L 2 t L1
GS = Gr=1 = 1/m * L * cpw (7.54) hG 2 hG1
m= Sr=1 hG1 = #VALUE! J/kg hG 2 hG1
m
Sr=1 = #VALUE! (kJ/kg)/K S= #VALUE! (kJ/kg)/K t L 2 t L1
tbsG2 = L c pw
m= #VALUE! 45 C GS
tbsG1 = m
L= 15 kg agua/s 29 C
Cpw = 4.1868 kJ/(kg*K) hG2 = #VALUE! J/kg [1], Eq, (7.54), page 277
Gr=1 = #VALUE! kg as/s Column 4 represents a straight line GS : gas flow rate [kg as/ s]
Column 3 represents a straight line between the points N and O' hG2 : exit air enthalpy (top) [kJ/kg]
between the points N and O tN = 29 C hG1 : inlet air enthalpya (bottom) [kJ/kg
tN = 29 C hN = #VALUE! kJ/kg L: liquid flow rate [kg/ s]. (assumed co
hN = #VALUE! kJ/kg tO' = 45 C cpw : liquid specific heat [kJ/(kg*K)]
tO = 45 C hO' = #VALUE! kJ/kg tL2 : inlet water temperature (top) [C]
hO = #VALUE! kJ/kg tL1 : exir water temperature (bottom) [C

Table 1. Tower packing height calculation

6 7 8
Numerical Air conditions in the tower,for r = 1
integration Conditions at the bottom of the tower (point "1" in diagram)
1/h coefficient (2) Point "1"
Ci f(x) tbs1 = 29.0 C
1/(kJ/kg) hG1 = #VALUE! kJ/kg
 Conditions at the top of the tower (point 2' in diagram)
#VALUE! 1 #VALUE! Point 2'
#VALUE! 2 #VALUE!
#VALUE! 2 #VALUE! tbs2' = 45 C
#VALUE! 2 #VALUE! h2' = #VALUE! kJ/kg
#VALUE! 2 #VALUE!
#VALUE! 2 #VALUE! Height above sea level, from sheet "1.- Data"
#VALUE! 1 #VALUE! H= 0 m.a.s.l.
f(x) = #VALUE!
Enthalpy hO', from sheet 6.
h0' = #VALUE! kJ/kg

2
To be reviewed I y ,a
1
I
Explanation and
NTU dI y
Straight line, due Le = 1
I y ,b y,i I y
Ref. 4 (27.3.1)

sfer Units "NTU" Height of Transfer Unit "HTU" Height of Transfer Unit "HTU"

quation (7-51)
' GS
GS HTU =
HTU = M Bk yaA
1 k ya

I y ,i I y
dI y
HTU =
with
Gs =
tegration of NTU is MB =
eans of the trapezoidal HTU = G'S /( ky * a) ky_kmol =
G'S : 2.0 kg/(m*s) a=
method, the integration ky*a : 0.9 kg / ( m *s)
3
A=
is shown in the columns HTU = 2.2 m HTU =

Treybal [2] result is

ation is done according HTU = 2.2 m QS :
 MB :
Height of packing tower ky :
a:
a hL _ b
2 N
f ( x) Z = HTUNTU

Z= HTU * NTU
A:

L_a
- hL_b) /(2* N) * f(x) HTU = 2.2 m
NTU = #VALUE!
kJ/kg Z= #VALUE! m
kJ/kg
Treybal [2] result is
Z= 7.22 m

-
comes from the values of
properties.
ical integration method

Trapezoidal numerical integration rule

nctions. b
ba N
7
Numerical
8
f ( x) dx gi f k
2 N k 1
a
integration
coefficient g i 1 para i 1 y N
Ci f(x) g i 2 para i 2 ... ( N 1)
NTU=(hL2 - hL1)/2*N* (f(x1) + 2*f(x2) + 2*f(x3) + .+ 2*f(xN-1) + f(xN) )

1 #VALUE! NTU = (hL_a - hL_b) /(2* N) * f(x)

2 #VALUE! where
2 #VALUE! hL_in_r=1.5 = 166.3 kJ/kg
2 #VALUE! hL_out=r=1.5= 72.0 kJ/kg
2 #VALUE! N= 6
2 #VALUE! f(x) = #VALUE!
1 #VALUE!
f(x) = #VALUE! NTU = #VALUE! -

7 8
Numerical
integration
coefficient
Ci f(x) Treybal table differs from the calculation
table in the values of the psichrometric
properties.
Additionaly, Treibal uses a different
 1 0.03575 numerical integration method, where
1 0.04545 the numerical integration coefficienst are
1 0.04292 not required (or Ci = 1)
1 0.03846 The numerical integration used is not
1 0.03195 indicated and Treybal gives as a
1 0.02410 final result a NTU value
1 0.01905
f(x) = 0.23767 NTU = 3.25 -
 Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014
Page 1 of 4

riving enthalpy difference at a point "i"

hair,sat_i -hop_r=1.5_i

eciproc of driving enthalpy difference

oefficients for numerical integration

1 at both ends 1
2 in the other elements hG1 =
To be reviewed
umerical integration elements Explanation
Ci * (1/hi)

rom heat balance

H air H Liquid
2 : top
1 : bottom
GS hG 2 hG1 L c pw t L 2 t L1

GS L c pw
t L 2 t L1
hG 2 hG1
hG 2 hG1
m
t L 2 t L1
L c pw
GS
m

1], Eq, (7.54), page 277

S
: gas flow rate [kg as/ s]
G2
: exit air enthalpy (top) [kJ/kg]
G1
: inlet air enthalpya (bottom) [kJ/kg]
liquid flow rate [kg/ s]. (assumed const.)
w
: liquid specific heat [kJ/(kg*K)]
2
: inlet water temperature (top) [C]
1
: exir water temperature (bottom) [C]

Page 2 of 4

e tower (point "1" in diagram)

(Column 1)
(Column 3)
wer (point 2' in diagram)

(Column 1)
(Column 3)

sheet "1.- Data"

[1], eq. (7.54), page 277

Page 3 of 4
eight of Transfer Unit "HTU"

GS
HTU =
M Bk yaA

GS / (MB * ky * a * A)

#VALUE! kg as/s
28.96 kg/kmol
6.2E-05 kmol / ( m2*s)
500 m/m
#VALUE! m
#VALUE! m

flow rate of dry air (is a constat) [kg/s]

molar mass of air [kg/kmol]

mass transfer coefficient in the air [kmol/(ms)]

effective heat or mass transfer surface [m/m]

free cross-sectional surface of the tower [m]

Page 4 of 4
Free-cross sectional surface of tower

Area of cross sectional surface Seleted area

From borh results, the smallest value
L= Lu * A should be selected, to ensure that the
L: liquid flow rate [kg/s] value of the product "ky*a" has at least
Lu : unit flow rate (for unit of cross the indicated value of
sectional surface): [kg/ ( m*s)]
A: area of cross section ky*a = 0.90
So
A= L / Lu A= #VALUE!
L= 15 kg/s
Lu = 2.7 kg/(m*s)
A= 5.56 m

Using the gas flow rate

A= GS / GSu
G: gas rate [kg/s]
Gu : unit flow rate (for unit of cross
sectional surface): [kg/ ( m*s)]
A: area of cross section
Gs = #VALUE! kg as/s
GSu = 2 kg/(m*s)
A= #VALUE! m
 Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014

lts, the smallest value

ted, to ensure that the
duct "ky*a" has at least

kg / ( m3*s)

m
Compensation water

Cosidering a compensation and a Entrainment loss rate "W", water that is

continuous elimination, the mass being transported with the exit air, daM
balance is leaving from de top of the tower as a
B E W
daC daM
M B E W (a) loss of water.
Application
Evaporation rate "E", water that is
A water hardness balance is evapotated in the air flow producing Evaporation rate "E"
the cooling of the water flow
M daM B W daC
(b) From equation (d) 1.- Absolute humidity of exit air
Assuming that the leaving air is b
and therefore daC da saturated at Point "O"
B E W B W C
daM daM
M
B W daC daC da
O
B B W C E W The enthalpy at this point, from th
daM (.c) daM daM calculation Table 1, is
da daC da hO =
B 1 C W E W C
da M daM daM Assuming initially a temperature v
Eliminating M from (a) and (.c) tO =
da daC da
B 1 C W W C E the corresponding enthalpy for th
B E W
B W daC daM daM daM
assumed temperature is with
daM da daC tO =
(d) B 1 C W 1 E
daM daM O
da da H=
B 1 C W 1 C E
M : compensation rate [kg/h] daM daM h=
B : elimination rate [kg/h] Now, using Solver, find a value of
E
E : evaporation rate [kg/h] B W temperature t
da
1 C
W : entrainment loss rate [kg/h] daM With calculated exit air temperatu
daC : hardness weight fraction of E the corresponding absolute humid
B W
circulating water [kg/kg] or [ppm] daM daC can be be calculated
daM : hardness weight fraction of daM t=
compensation water [kg/kg] or [ppm] E O
B W
daC daM H=
Elimination rate "B", required to replace daM xa2 =
water with a maximum allowable salts daM
B E W
content with fresh water with the in this
daC daM 2.- Absolute humidity of inlet air
water existing salt content. This is From sheet 2
called the compensation rate. xa1 =
 3.- Humidity change Entrainment water
daM x2-1 = xa2 - xa1 kg/kg
B E W (e) xa2 = #VALUE! kg/kg
daC daM
xa1 = #VALUE! kg/kg
x2-1 = #VALUE! kg/kg Water
E= GS * x2-1
Compensation
vaporation rate "E" Dry air flow rate (sheet 2)
water
Gs = #VALUE! kg as/s
- Absolute humidity of exit air x2-1 = #VALUE! kg/kg
M, daM
ssuming that the leaving air is basically E= #VALUE! kg/s
aturated at Point "O" Entrainment loss "W"
100 % To estimate the entrainment losses,
he enthalpy at this point, from the one assumes that these losses are
alculation Table 1, is a percentage &W of the water flow rate
#VALUE! kJ/kg &L = 0.2 %
ssuming initially a temperature value The water flow rate is
30 C L= 15 kg/s
e corresponding enthalpy for this W= L * &L
ssumed temperature is with L= 15 kg/s
40.0 C &L = 0.002 -
100 % W= 0.030 kg/s
0 m.a.s.l. Elimination rate "B"
#VALUE! kJ/kg B= E * ( daM / (daC - daM) ) - W
ow, using Solver, find a value of the E= #VALUE! kg/s
mperature tO to obtain that h = hO W= 0.030 kg/s
With calculated exit air temperature da_M = 500 ppm Treybal results
e corresponding absolute humidity da_c = 2000 ppm E= 0.3465
an be be calculated B= #VALUE! kg/s W= 0.03
40.0 C Compensation rate "M" B= 0.0855
100 % M= (B + W) * daC / daM M= 0.462
0 m.a.s.l. B= #VALUE! kg/s
#VALUE! kg/kg W 0.030 kg/s
da_c = 2000 ppm
- Absolute humidity of inlet air da_M = 500 ppm
rom sheet 2 M= #VALUE! kg/s
#VALUE! kg/kg
 Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014

Entrainment water

W, daC

G2

Cooling
tower

L1 G1

Air
B, daC

Elimination water

kg/s
kg/s
kg/s
kg/s
Operation Diagram

1 2 3 3a 4 5 6
Curva de Lnea de Lnea de
equilibrio para operacin operacin
aire saturado para r = 1 h = para r = 1.5 h = 1/h
tL hair,sat hoper_r=1 hair,sat -hop_r=1 hoper_r=1.5 hair,sat -hop_r=1.5
kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kg 1/(kJ/kg)
25.0 #VALUE!
25.5 #VALUE!
29.0 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
31.7 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
34.3 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
37.0 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
39.7 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
42.3 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
45.0 #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE! #VALUE!
47.0 #VALUE!

tL hT h tT From sheet 1
C kJ/kg kJ/kg C t N=
25.0 #VALUE! 0 #VALUE! h N=
25.5 #VALUE! 50 #VALUE! tO =
29.0 #VALUE! 100 #VALUE! tO' =
31.7 #VALUE! 150 #VALUE!
34.3 #VALUE! 200 #VALUE! From calculation, further down
37.0 #VALUE! tT =
39.7 #VALUE! hT =
42.3 #VALUE!
45.0 #VALUE! Point O' (hO', calculated further d
47.0 #VALUE! tO' =
Note hO'=
Column 3a shows that the resulting operation line is not exactly
tangent to the saturation curve. For tangency, the minimum Point O (hO, from sheet 3)
difference should be 0. tO =
A negative value indicates that the solution line is cutting the hO=
saturation curve.

Saturation curve for air at a height above

sea level Saturatio
H= 0 m.a.s.l. 12.0
(f = 100 %)
10.0

8.0

6.0
 Saturatio
12.0

10.0
tL hair,sat Polynom 8.0
C kJ/kg
25 #VALUE! 77.8 #VALUE! #VALUE! 6.0
26 #VALUE! 79.6 #VALUE! #VALUE!
29 #VALUE! 94.5 #VALUE! #VALUE! 4.0
32 #VALUE! 108.5 #VALUE! #VALUE!
2.0
34 #VALUE! 125.0 #VALUE! #VALUE!
37 #VALUE! 143.7 #VALUE! #VALUE! f(x) =
0.0
40 #VALUE! 164.9 #VALUE! #VALUE! 20 25 R = 0
42 #VALUE! 188.4 #VALUE! #VALUE!
45 #VALUE! 214.2 #VALUE! #VALUE!
47 #VALUE! 235.2 #VALUE! #VALUE!

Tangent point
Equation of the satutarion curve
h=0 .1659t 24 . 7921t +92 . 926
Value of the enthalpy in the saturation curve
at the point of tangency (t =tT )
2
h=0 .1659t T 4 .7921tT +92 . 926 (Eq . a)

Tangent at any point of the satutarion curve

dh
=0 . 3318t4 . 7921
dt
Tangent at the point of tangency (T )
dh
| =0. 3318tT 4 . 7921
dt t=t T

Slope of the operation curve, which is

tangent to the saturation curve
hT h N
=0 .3318t N 4 . 7921
t T t N
hT h N = ( 0. 3318t4 .7921 )( ttn )
h=( 0 . 3318t4 . 7921 )t T t N +hN ( Eq . b )

Equating (Eq . a ) with ( Eq . b )

2
0 . 1659t T 4 . 7921t T +92 . 926= ( 0 . 3318t T 4 . 7921 )( tT tn ) + hn
2
0 . 1659t T 4 . 7921t T +92 . 926 -hn=( 0 . 3318t T 4 . 7921 )tT - ( 0 . 3318t T 4 .7921 )tn
2 2
0 . 1659t T 4 . 7921t T +92 . 926 -hn=0 .3318t T 4 . 7921t T 0 . 3318tnt T + 4 .7921tn
0 . 3318t 2T 0 .1659t2T +4 . 7921t T 4 . 7921t T 0. 3318tnt T +4 . 7921tn 92. 926 +hn=0
2
0 . 1659t T 0 . 3318tnt T +4 .7921tn 92 . 926+hn=0
a =0 .1659
b=-0. 3318tn
c=4 . 7921tn 92. 926 +hn
2
atT +bt T +c=0
H'
(gas-vapor mixture)
kJ/kg as

H'*2 4

H'2 O
t L , H *

t ,H
i i
'
T
S
t L ,H'
R U
H'*1 3

H'1
N

Liquid temperature tL C
tL1 tL2
Figure 2
 7 8

Enthalpy air-vapor [kJ/kg da]

Numerical
integration
coefficient 12.0
Figure 1.- Operation Diagram
Equilibrium curve A-B
Ci f(x) OB

O
10.0 O'(tO' ,hO' )
1 #VALUE!
2 #VALUE!
2 #VALUE!
hT T
2 #VALUE! O
2 #VALUE! 8.0 O
2 #VALUE! O(to,ho)
1 #VALUE!
f(x) = #VALUE!
Equilibrium curve, Operating line with r=
6.0 for saturated air 1
rom sheet 1
29 C
Operating line with r = 1.5
#VALUE! kJ/kg
45 C 4.0O
A O
45 C
N (tN, hN)

rom calculation, further down

#VALUE! C 2.0
#VALUE! kJ/kg
tT
oint O' (hO', calculated further down) tO = tO'
45 C 0.0
#VALUE! kJ/kg 25.0f(x) = 30.0 35.0 40.0 45.0 50.0
R = 0 Liquid temperature [C]
oint O (hO, from sheet 3)
45 C
#VALUE! kJ/kg

hsat = 0.1659 * t^2 - 4.7921 * t + 92.

Saturation curve for air at H = 0 m.a.s.l.
12.0 aa = 0.1659
bb = 4.7921
10.0

8.0

6.0
 Saturation curve for air at H = 0 m.a.s.l.
12.0

10.0 cc = 93.93

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0
f(x) =
0.0
20 25 R = 0 30 35 40 45 50

Enthalpy at the tangent point T

h= 0.1659 * t^2 - 4.7921 * t + 92.93
tT = #VALUE! C
b b 2 4 ac
tT hT = #VALUE! kJ/kg
2a

a 0.3318
b - 4.7921 0.3318 t N Point N
c 4.7921 t N h N
Operation line for r = 1
where "r" is the ratio between the actual
a tT2 b tT c 0 mass flow rate and the minimum flow
rate.
a 0.1659 The line starts at a point defined by the
inlet air properties (point N in operating
b -0.3318 tn
diagram) also called state "G1"
c 4.7921 tn 92.93 hn
State G1 (Point N)
From sheet 3 tdbG1 = 30 C
tn = 29 twbG1 = 24 C
hn = #VALUE! H= 0 m
xG1 = Sicro_AbsoluteHumidity_tdb_twb_H
tT = ( -b + (b^2 - 4*a*c)^0.5 ) / ( 2*a ) xG1 = #VALUE! kg/kg
a= 0.1659 hG1 = hN = #VALUE! kJ/kg
b= -9.6222
c= #VALUE!
tT = #VALUE! C
Operating line for minimum air flow. Enthalpy hO'
h0' = hN + (hT - hN) / (t
Enthalpy h O' at temperature tO'
h N= #VALUE!
From Figure 1
h T= #VALUE!
h O' hN h hN t N=
T 29
t o' t N tT tN tT = #VALUE!

h T hN to'= 45
h O' hN t o' t N h0' = #VALUE!
tT tN
h T hN
h O' hN t o' t N
tT tN
 Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014

tion Diagram of Cooling Tower

OB

O
O'(tO' ,hO' )

O
O(to,ho)

Equilibrium curve
th r= Polynomial (Equilibrium
curve)
Column E
Op. L. r = 1.5
1.5
h_tangent
t_tangent

tO = tO'

45.0 50.0
C]

1659 * t^2 - 4.7921 * t + 92.926

7921 * t + 92.93
N
+ (hT - hN) / (tT - tN) * (to' - tN)
kJ/kg
kJ/kg
C
C
C
kJ/kg
Cooling tower schematic [3]
Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014
Example 7.1, from [1], pages 278 to 281

Example 7.11. A plant requires that 15 kg / s (1984 lb / min) of cooling water will
flow through a condensation equipment for distillation; thus eliminating 270 W
(55270 Btu / min) from the condensers. The water leaves the condenser at 45 C.
To reuse water it is planned to cool it by contact with air in a cooling tower of
induced draft.

The design conditions are 30 C inlet air dry bulb temperature and 24C wet bulb
temperature. The water is to be cooled to 5 C below the wet bulb temperature of
the air (thus, to 29 C) ; a ratio of air/steam of 1.5 times the minimum value will
be used.

Water compensation will come from a dam at 10 C, with a hardness of 500 ppm
(parts / million) dissolved solids.
The circulating water cannot have a hardness greater than 2000 ppm. Regarding
the package that is to be used, it is expected that the value (Ky * a) will be
0.90 kg / (m * s) for a speed of the liquid of at least 2.7 kg / (m * s) and for a gas
speed of 2.0 kg / (m * s) (1991 and 1474 lbm / (hr * ft) respectively.
Calculate the dimensions of the packed section and water compensation required.

Figure 7.12 Flowchart of example 7.1

Basis: Cross section 1 m, Gs = 2.0 kg/(m*s). Th driving force H1* - H1 is obtained
at frequents intervals of tL in figure 7.13, as it is shown.

For compensation water. see Sheet 5

Example 7.12
Solution. Figure 7.12 represents the flowchart of the operation. The humidity and
the enthalpy of the incoming air is taken from the figure 7.5a (or using the
appropriate functions).
The opetaing chart, Figure 7.13, contains the air enthalpy curve at saturation. In
this graph, the point N represents the condition at the bottom of the tower
(TL1 = 29 C and H1 = 72000 J / kg dry air). The operating line will pass
through N and will end in TL1 = 45 C.
For the minimum value of Gs', the operating line will have the minimum slope that
will touch the equilibrium curve, and thus it will pass through the point O, where
H2 '= 209 500 J / kg dry air. Therefore, the slope of the line is O'N

where Gs'min = 7.31 kg dry air / s. For gas flow of 1.5 times the minimum,
Gs = 1.5 * 7.31 = 10.97 kg dry air / s . Therefore,

and H2 '= 163000 J / kg dry air, plotted at point O. Therefore, the operating line
is ON. For a liquid flow of at least 2.7 (kg / m * s), the cross section
should be 15 / 2.7 = 5.56 m. For a gas flow of at least 2.0 kg / (m * s), the
cross section is 10.97 / 2.0 = 5.5 m. Therefore, the last value (5.5) is used, then
in this case the minimum flow of liquid will exceed the minimum an so ensuring
that kv*a = 0.90 .
Data from the last two columns are plotted with H as abscissa.
The area below the curve is 3.25. From equation (7.54)

The packed height Z is: Z = 7.22 m

In this case,
NtOG = 3.25
HtOG = Gs' / ( Ky*a)
HtOG = 2.0 / 0.9 = 2.22 m

Also, from equation (7.54)

NtOG = Z / HtOG
Z= 7.22 m
HtOG = 2.22 m
NtOG = 3.25
xample 7.12
Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014
Data of thermal power, not used in example 7.1

In Treybal example 7.1, there is following data:

the water should elimnate " 270 W ( 55270 Btu/min)
from the condensers"
But Treybal does not use this information.

Leaving water temperature, for a thermal power of

Q= 270 W
This input data does not agree with the other
input data:
Water inlet temperature
Wate outlet temperature
Water mass flow rate

If this data
Q= 270 W
is a requirement, then, the temperature
of the leving water is a calculated value
and cannot be an input data.

Enthalpy of inlet water Enthalpy of leaving water

Local height above sea level Q=

H= 0 m Q/L2 =
Local ambient presure hL1 =
p= 101,325* (1 -2,25577E-5 * H)^5,25588 hL2 =
H= 0 m.a.s.l. Q=
p= 1.013 bar L2 =
Temperature of water entering the tower at the top (2) hL1 =
tL2 = 45 C
Enthalpy of entering water Specific volume
tL2 = 45 C p=
P= 1.013 bar hL1 =
hL2 = #VALUE! kJ/kg v=
nthalpy of leaving water Temperature of leaving water
p= 1.013 bar
L2 * (hL2 - hL1) v= #VALUE! m/kg
hL2 - hL1 t= #VALUE! C
hL2 - Q/L2
#VALUE! kJ/kg
270 W
15 kg/s
#VALUE! kJ/kg

pecific volume
1.013 bar
#VALUE! kJ/kg
#VALUE! m/kg
Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014
Numerical integration with the trapezoidal rule

Numerical implementation

Illustration of trapezoidal rule used on a sequence of samples (in this case, a non-uniform grid).

Uniform grid
For a domain discretized into N equally spaced panels, or N+1 grid points a = x1 < x2 < ... < xN+1 =

Non-uniform grid
When the grid spacing is non-uniform, one can use the formula
 Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014

< ... < xN+1 = b, where the grid spacing is h=(b-a)/N, the approximation to the integral becomes
Rev. cjc. 08.11.2014
 [1] Operaciones de transferencia de masa 2/e
Robert E. Treybal
McGraw Hill,2003

Pages 274 to 282. Cooling of water with air

Packing height and free-cross sectional surface of a tower [2]

1.- Packing height

The packing height of a tower can be calculated
according [2], equation (65)
I y ,a
QS Z=I: Tower packing height
Z=
( M Bk yaA )

I y ,b
1
( I y, iI y )
dI y QS =V :
MB :
flow rate of dry air (is a constat)
molar mass of air
Naming the first term as "Height of Transfer ky : mass transfer coefficient in the air
Unit (HTU) " a: effective heat or mass transfer su
A: free cross-sectional surface of the
V Iy : enthalpy in the air phase = enthal
HTU
MB ky a A (in the bulk phase)
Iy,i : enthalpy in the air phase (i: at the
and the second term as the Numbert of Transfer that is, in saturated condition)
Units (NTU)
HTU : Height of Transfer Unit
I y ,a NTU : Number of Transfer Units

1
NTU
I y ,i I y
dI y
Subscripts
I y ,b
B: dry air
the packing height becomes y: air phase = humid air
a: top of the tower
b: bottom of the tower
Z = HTUNTU i: corresponds to the boundary (i.e.
ower packing height [m]
ow rate of dry air (is a constat) [kg/s]
olar mass of air [kg/kmol]
ass transfer coefficient in the air [kmol/(ms)]
fective heat or mass transfer surface [m/m]
ee cross-sectional surface of the tower [m]
nthalpy in the air phase = enthalpy of humid air [J/kg]
n the bulk phase)
nthalpy in the air phase (i: at ther boundary,
at is, in saturated condition)

eight of Transfer Unit

umber of Transfer Units

r phase = humid air

p of the tower
ottom of the tower
orresponds to the boundary (i.e., saturated state)
Indian institute of technology
http://www.iitkgp.ac.in/

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/Webcourse-contents/IIT%20Kharagpur/Ref%20and%20Air%20Cond/New

Leson 27. Psychrometry Straightline law (27.3.1)

Leson 28. Enthalpy potential
http://nptel.ac.in/courses/Webcourse-contents/IIT%20Kharagpur/Ref%20and%20Air%20Cond/pdf/R
http://nptel.ac.in/courses/Webcourse-contents/IIT%20Kharagpur/Ref%20and%20Air%20Cond/pdf/R
20and%20Air%20Cond/New_index1.html
20and%20Air%20Cond/pdf/R&AC%20Lecture%2027.pdf
20and%20Air%20Cond/pdf/R&AC%20Lecture%2028.pdf
 [1] Operaciones de transferencia de masa 2/e
Robert E. Treybal
McGraw Hill, 2003

[2]

[3]

http://library.kfupm.edu.sa/ISI/2006/5-2006.pdf

[4]
http://nptel.ac.in/courses/Webcourse-contents/IIT%20Kharagpur/Ref%20and%20Air%20Cond/New

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/112105129/pdf/R&AC%20Lecture%2027.pdf

http://nptel.ac.in/courses/Webcourse-contents/IIT%20Kharagpur/Ref%20and%20Air%20Cond/pdf
%20and%20Air%20Cond/New_index1.html

%20and%20Air%20Cond/pdf/R&AC%20Lecture%2028.pdf
 India

China
Chile

Per