An indirect heat exchanger has two airflow paths and an airflow generator to draw air through the airflow paths. A fluid conduit passes through the heat exchanger such that a cooling region is positioned within each of the flow paths. A dispenser is positioned to dispense evaporative liquid on one of the cooling regions. The dispenser operates in a wet mode and a dry mode. A controller regulates airflow through the first flow path and the second flow path, and also controls the operation of the dispenser. In this way, the controller may operate the airflow paths independently such that the airflow through a flow path operating in the dry mode is greater than that of the flow path operating in the wet mode.

The present disclosure relates to a modular heat exchange tower that has a plurality of air inlet modules each having stanchion disposed therein. The modular heat exchange tower also includes a series of heat exchange modules positioned above the air inlet modules along with a series of plenum modules position above the heat exchange modules.

A refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes: an indoor heat exchange module configured for refrigerant to absorb heat; and outdoor heat exchange modules configured for the refrigerant to dissipate heat. The outdoor heat exchange module includes a compression device, an evaporative condenser and a liquid supplement device. The outdoor heat exchange modules are switchable between a standby mode and an active mode; some of the outdoor heat exchange modules are in the active mode, and the others are in the standby mode; in the standby mode, the outdoor heat exchange module is disconnected from the indoor heat exchange module; when the outdoor heat exchange module is switched to the active mode, it is connected to the indoor heat exchange module, the compression device starts up, and the liquid supplement device supplies cooling liquid to the evaporative condenser during an startup process of the compression device.

A refrigeration system is provided. The refrigeration system includes: an indoor heat exchange module configured for refrigerant to absorb heat; and outdoor heat exchange modules configured for the refrigerant to dissipate heat. The outdoor heat exchange module includes a compression device, an evaporative condenser and a liquid supplement device. The outdoor heat exchange modules are switchable between a standby mode and an active mode; some of the outdoor heat exchange modules are in the active mode, and the others are in the standby mode; in the standby mode, the outdoor heat exchange module is disconnected from the indoor heat exchange module; when the outdoor heat exchange module is switched to the active mode, it is connected to the indoor heat exchange module, the compression device starts up, and the liquid supplement device supplies cooling liquid to the evaporative condenser during an startup process of the compression device.

A cooling tower (2) for cooling a liquid (4) with a gas (6), which cooling tower (2) comprises: (i) a vessel (8) for receiving the gas (6) passing upwardly and the liquid (4) passing downwardly, with the liquid (4) being hotter than the gas (6); (ii) a gas outlet (4) which is at a top portion (16) of the vessel (8) and which is for allowing the gas (6) to pass out of the vessel (8), (iii) a support member (20) which is positioned across a bottom portion (22) of the vessel (8): (iv) a plurality of apertures (24) which are in the support member (20) and through which the gas (6) and the liquid (4) are able to pass; (v) a fluidised bed (26) of packing elements (28) on the support member (20); (vi) liquid emitting means (30) which is positioned in the vessel (8) above the fluidised bed (26), and which is for emitting alas liquid (4) to be cooled such the liquid (4) passes downwardly towards the fluidised bed (26); (vii) pump means (32) for pumping the liquid to the liquid emitting means (30); and (viii) a fan (34) for blowing the pas upwardly through the fluidised bed (26), and the cooling tower (2) being such that it includes (ix) control means (31) for controlling (a) the velocity of the gas through die vessel (8), and (b) the liquid to gas ratio in the vessel (8), whereby the fluidised bed (26) is caused to operate at a tumbling rate which when combined with selected pre-fluidised packing height causes an approach temperature of below 10° F. (5.6° C.); (x) wherein the tumbling rate is controlled by a combination of controlled gas velocity and liquid to gas ratio creating turbulent mixing and tumbling of packing elements (28) in the fluidised bed (26); (xi) and wherein the pre-fluidised height of the fluidised bed (26) is from 0.15-1.0 m.

A cooling tower (2) for cooling a liquid (4) with a gas (6), which cooling tower (2) comprises: (i) a vessel (8) for receiving the gas (6) passing upwardly and the liquid (4) passing downwardly, with the liquid (4) being hotter than the gas (6); (ii) a gas outlet (4) which is at a top portion (16) of the vessel (8) and which is for allowing the gas (6) to pass out of the vessel (8), (iii) a support member (20) which is positioned across a bottom portion (22) of the vessel (8): (iv) a plurality of apertures (24) which are in the support member (20) and through which the gas (6) and the liquid (4) are able to pass; (v) a fluidised bed (26) of packing elements (28) on the support member (20); (vi) liquid emitting means (30) which is positioned in the vessel (8) above the fluidised bed (26), and which is for emitting alas liquid (4) to be cooled such the liquid (4) passes downwardly towards the fluidised bed (26); (vii) pump means (32) for pumping the liquid to the liquid emitting means (30); and (viii) a fan (34) for blowing the pas upwardly through the fluidised bed (26), and the cooling tower (2) being such that it includes (ix) control means (31) for controlling (a) the velocity of the gas through die vessel (8), and (b) the liquid to gas ratio in the vessel (8), whereby the fluidised bed (26) is caused to operate at a tumbling rate which when combined with selected pre-fluidised packing height causes an approach temperature of below 10° F. (5.6° C.); (x) wherein the tumbling rate is controlled by a combination of controlled gas velocity and liquid to gas ratio creating turbulent mixing and tumbling of packing elements (28) in the fluidised bed (26); (xi) and wherein the pre-fluidised height of the fluidised bed (26) is from 0.15-1.0 m.

Techniques for drift elimination in a liquid-gas contactor system include configuring a pre-fabricated mechanical frame coupled to a drift eliminator material to produce a framed drift eliminator assembly with substantially no air gaps between the drift eliminator material and the pre-fabricated mechanical frame, and coupling the framed drift eliminator assembly to the liquid-gas contactor system.

Techniques for drift elimination in a liquid-gas contactor system include configuring a pre-fabricated mechanical frame coupled to a drift eliminator material to produce a framed drift eliminator assembly with substantially no air gaps between the drift eliminator material and the pre-fabricated mechanical frame, and coupling the framed drift eliminator assembly to the liquid-gas contactor system.

An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section enclosed in a housing and a direct evaporative heat exchange section both of which are located within the same apparatus. An internal fluid stream is passed through the internal passageways of the indirect heat exchange section. An evaporative liquid is passed across the outside of the external passageways of the indirect heat exchange section to exchange heat indirectly with the internal fluid stream. The evaporative liquid that exits the indirect evaporative heat exchange section housing then passes onto and through the direct heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid exiting the direct heat exchange section is collected in a sump and then pumped upwardly to be distributed again through the indirect heat exchange section housing. The indirect heat exchange section may be comprised of a plate type heat exchanger or a circuit tube type heat exchanger located within a housing. The indirect heat exchange housing may be in direct contact with the air moving through the direct heat exchange section, be in direct contact with the cool evaporative liquid, or both, to enhance the heat transfer from the indirect heat exchange section. Air may be pumped along with the evaporative liquid through the indirect heat exchange section to agitate and increase the velocity of evaporative fluid flowing through the indirect heat exchanger. Air may also be pumped into and through the indirect eat exchange section housing when the evaporative fluid pump is off during a dry mode of operation.

An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section enclosed in a housing and a direct evaporative heat exchange section both of which are located within the same apparatus. An internal fluid stream is passed through the internal passageways of the indirect heat exchange section. An evaporative liquid is passed across the outside of the external passageways of the indirect heat exchange section to exchange heat indirectly with the internal fluid stream. The evaporative liquid that exits the indirect evaporative heat exchange section housing then passes onto and through the direct heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid exiting the direct heat exchange section is collected in a sump and then pumped upwardly to be distributed again through the indirect heat exchange section housing. The indirect heat exchange section may be comprised of a plate type heat exchanger or a circuit tube type heat exchanger located within a housing. The indirect heat exchange housing may be in direct contact with the air moving through the direct heat exchange section, be in direct contact with the cool evaporative liquid, or both, to enhance the heat transfer from the indirect heat exchange section. Air may be pumped along with the evaporative liquid through the indirect heat exchange section to agitate and increase the velocity of evaporative fluid flowing through the indirect heat exchanger. Air may also be pumped into and through the indirect eat exchange section housing when the evaporative fluid pump is off during a dry mode of operation.