COUNTER FLOW VS CROSS FLOW

Counter flow and cross flow cooling towers are two different types of cooling towers used in numerous industrial applications to cool hot water returning from the industrial processes.

Both counter flow and cross flow cooling towers have their own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice between them will depend on the specific requirements of the application, such as duty conditions, water quality or space availability.

Counter Flow Cooling Tower
In a counter flow cooling tower water splashes downwards while air moves vertically upwards through the fills in an opposite counter flow direction. The air - water contact time is higher, and the heat from the water is transferred to the air with the help of the fan.

The water is distributed on the fills through the rotating sprinkler or pressurized piping and nozzle spray system.

The counter flow cooling tower generally uses film fills in honeycomb design which are suitable for HVACR, Pharmaceutical, Food & beverage and cement industry.

Cross Flow Cooling Tower
Unlike counter flow cooling tower, in a cross flow cooling tower air travels horizontally across the vertical direction of the falling water.

The hot water is sprayed on the fills or splash bars through a non-pressurized open gravity basin system fitted with target spray nozzles.

These towers employ both honey comb film fill and V bar splash fill. Because of splash fills they can be used in dirty (unclean) water applications such as Sugar, Distillery, Chemical, Paper and Metal/ Steel industry.