86-03: Status Report: Cooling Tower Performance Project

The current status of the EPRI Cooling Tower Performance Test Facility Project, described at the 1984 CTI Annual Conference, is reported. Operating experience and test results from the Small Scale Test Facility and full-scale facilities at Houston Light & Power stations are presented. Results from computer codes to predict tower performance, including one developed and validated in Europe, are included. Elimination of the need for a hot water temperature correction by use of these codes is explained. Description of a project expansion is provided, which includes a study of fill degradation plus improved water and airflow rate measurement techniques aimed at more accurate heat balances. In addition, developmental fill configuration proposed for performance tests are described.