84-09: Cold Weather Operation of Mechanical Draft Cooling Towers

Annually, millions of dollars are spent in repairing ice damaged cooling towers. Most of this damage could have been avoided had reasonable cold weather operating procedures been in effect. This paper presents a guideline for the development and implementation of cold weather operating procedures for evaporative cooling towers. Emphasis is placed on the preparation of the tower and its operating personnel for winter operating conditions. The theory of tower icing is discussed, as well as the methods available for its prevention. Graphic data is also presented to demonstrate the value of various winter modes of operation.