Water Cooling Tower | ThermoFlux-7083
The Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083 is a benchtop forced-draught cooling tower trainer for thermodynamics laboratories, featuring a clear acrylic packed column (150 x 150 mm, 600 mm height, 8 packing levels, specific surface 100 m2/m3), a 14 L stainless steel load tank with 3 kW total heating, and a centrifugal fan (145 m3/h, 3000 rpm) with adjustable airflow. This water cooling tower apparatus measures water flow (0 to 7 L/min), air and water temperatures (6 sensors), relative humidity at inlet and outlet, and pressure drop (0 to 8000 Pa) for complete cooling tower performance evaluation. A 2 L make-up tank with float valve maintains water level automatically, and process data is transmitted to a PC via LAN or USB. Four optional column variants and LabVIEW-based DAQ Software ThermoFlux-7083SW are available as accessories.
The Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083 is a benchtop forced-draught cooling tower trainer for investigating the thermodynamic principles of evaporative cooling, heat transfer, and air-water interaction in a counter-flow packed column arrangement. This water cooling tower apparatus includes a stainless steel load tank with 3 kW total heating capacity, a transparent acrylic packed column, a centrifugal fan, and a comprehensive sensor suite measuring air and water temperatures, relative humidity, airflow rate, water flow rate, and pressure drop across the packing. Process data is displayed digitally and can be transmitted to a PC via LAN or USB.
Product Overview
The Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083 replicates the operating principles of industrial cooling towers as used in heavy industry, power plants, and air conditioning systems at a safe, observable laboratory scale. Hot water from a 14 L stainless steel load tank, heated by two 1 kW cartridge heaters (total cooling load 3 kW), is circulated by a centrifugal pump through a flowmeter to the top of the packed column, where it is evenly distributed over the top packing deck. The standard column is constructed from clear acrylic with a 150 x 150 mm square cross-section, 600 mm height, and eight levels of inclined packing with nine fins per level, giving a total effective packing area of 0.1413 to 1.1448 m2 and a specific surface of 100 m2/m3. As water trickles downward through the packing, air drawn upward by a blower-type centrifugal fan (max. 145 m3/h, 3000 rpm) removes heat through convection and evaporation. Airflow rate is adjustable via an intake damper. Water evaporated during the cooling process is automatically replenished from a 2 L make-up tank with float valve, ensuring steady-state operation. The column assembly is topped with a sharp-edged orifice, a droplet arrester, and a water distribution system. Temperature sensors monitor inlet and outlet water temperatures and make-up tank water temperature (4 x Type, -100 to 400°C range). Dry bulb temperature and relative humidity are measured at both air inlet and outlet (2 x 0 to 100°C, 2 x 0 to 100% RH). An analogue/digital differential manometer (digital standard: 0 to 8000 Pa; analogue option: -0.5 to 3 in WC) measures pressure drop across the packing and, together with the orifice, determines airflow rate. A flowmeter covers 0 to 7 L/min for water flow measurement. A temperature sensor and controller in the load tank prevent overheating, and a level switch shuts off the heater at low water level. A psychrometric diagram is used to illustrate changes in air conditions during experiments. This water cooling tower trainer transmits process data to a PC via LAN or USB; data capture software is not included but can be ordered separately. Optional Software ThermoFlux-7083SW, developed in National Instruments LabVIEW, provides DAQ-based measurement and results calculation on any Windows operating system, with electronic sensors included when the software option is selected. Four optional column variants (Types B, C, D, E) with varying surface areas are available as accessories.
SECTION 1: PRODUCT NAME
Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux | ThermoFlux-7083
SECTION 2: MAIN PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Short Introduction
The Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083 is a benchtop forced-draught cooling tower trainer for investigating the thermodynamic principles of evaporative cooling, heat transfer, and air-water interaction in a counter-flow packed column arrangement. This water cooling tower apparatus includes a stainless steel load tank with 3 kW total heating capacity, a transparent acrylic packed column, a centrifugal fan, and a comprehensive sensor suite measuring air and water temperatures, relative humidity, airflow rate, water flow rate, and pressure drop across the packing. Process data is displayed digitally and can be transmitted to a PC via LAN or USB.
Product Overview
The Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083 replicates the operating principles of industrial cooling towers as used in heavy industry, power plants, and air conditioning systems at a safe, observable laboratory scale. Hot water from a 14 L stainless steel load tank, heated by two 1 kW cartridge heaters (total cooling load 3 kW), is circulated by a centrifugal pump through a flowmeter to the top of the packed column, where it is evenly distributed over the top packing deck. The standard column is constructed from clear acrylic with a 150 x 150 mm square cross-section, 600 mm height, and eight levels of inclined packing with nine fins per level, giving a total effective packing area of 0.1413 to 1.1448 m2 and a specific surface of 100 m2/m3. As water trickles downward through the packing, air drawn upward by a blower-type centrifugal fan (max. 145 m3/h, 3000 rpm) removes heat through convection and evaporation. Airflow rate is adjustable via an intake damper. Water evaporated during the cooling process is automatically replenished from a 2 L make-up tank with float valve, ensuring steady-state operation. The column assembly is topped with a sharp-edged orifice, a droplet arrester, and a water distribution system. Temperature sensors monitor inlet and outlet water temperatures and make-up tank water temperature (4 x Type, -100 to 400°C range). Dry bulb temperature and relative humidity are measured at both air inlet and outlet (2 x 0 to 100°C, 2 x 0 to 100% RH). An analogue/digital differential manometer (digital standard: 0 to 8000 Pa; analogue option: -0.5 to 3 in WC) measures pressure drop across the packing and, together with the orifice, determines airflow rate. A flowmeter covers 0 to 7 L/min for water flow measurement. A temperature sensor and controller in the load tank prevent overheating, and a level switch shuts off the heater at low water level. A psychrometric diagram is used to illustrate changes in air conditions during experiments. This water cooling tower trainer transmits process data to a PC via LAN or USB; data capture software is not included but can be ordered separately. Optional Software ThermoFlux-7083SW, developed in National Instruments LabVIEW, provides DAQ-based measurement and results calculation on any Windows operating system, with electronic sensors included when the software option is selected. Four optional column variants (Types B, C, D, E) with varying surface areas are available as accessories.
Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083, Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Reference | ThermoFlux-7083 |
| Category | Thermodynamics |
| Tower Type | Forced-draught, counter-flow, packed column |
| Total Heating Load | 3 kW (2 x 1 kW cartridge heaters) |
| Heater Temperature Limit | 60°C max. |
| Load Tank Capacity | 14 L with water level gauge and on/off level switch |
| Make-Up Tank Capacity | 2 L with float valve |
| Column Material | Clear acrylic |
| Column Cross-Section | 150 x 150 mm |
| Column Height | 600 mm |
| Number of Packing Levels | 8 |
| Fins per Packing Level | 9 |
| Total Effective Packing Area | 0.1413 to 1.1448 m2 |
| Specific Surface | 100 m2/m3 |
| Pump Type | Centrifugal |
| Pump Max. Flow Rate | 120 to 600 L/h |
| Pump Head | 4 m |
| Fan Type | Blower (single-sided inlet centrifugal) |
| Fan Max. Flow Rate | 145 m3/h |
| Fan Speed | 3000 rpm |
| Airflow Control | Intake damper |
| Temperature Sensors (Water/General) | 4 x -100 to 400°C |
| Temperature Sensors (Air) | 2 x 0 to 100°C |
| Relative Humidity Sensors | 2 x 0 to 100% |
| Flowmeter Range | 0 to 7 L/min |
| Digital Manometer Range | 0 to 8000 Pa |
| Analogue Manometer Range | -0.5 to 3 in WC |
| PC Interface | LAN and USB |
| Optional Software | Software ThermoFlux-7083SW (LabVIEW-based, Windows compatible) |
Technical Data
Column (Type A, Standard)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Cross-Section | 150 x 150 mm |
| Height | 600 mm |
| Number of Packing Levels | 8 |
| Fins per Packing Level | 9 |
| Total Effective Area | 0.1413 to 1.1448 m2 |
| Specific Surface | 100 m2/m3 |
| Material | Clear acrylic |
Pump
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Centrifugal |
| Max. Flow Rate | 120 to 600 L/h |
| Head | 4 m |
Fan
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Blower |
| Max. Flow Rate | 145 m3/h |
| Speed | 3000 rpm |
| Airflow Control | Intake damper |
Heater
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Heating Resistance | 2 kW (note: total load 3 kW via 2 x 1 kW cartridge heaters; confirm with SCIENTICO) |
| Temperature Limit | 60°C max. |
Load Tank
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 14 L |
| Level Monitoring | Water level gauge and on/off level switch |
Make-Up Tank
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2 L |
| Control | Float valve at bottom |
Differential Manometer
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Digital Type (Standard) | 0 to 8000 Pa |
| Analogue Type (Optional) | -0.5 to 3 in WC |
| Quantity | 2 |
Measuring Ranges
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Temperature Sensors (Water/General) | 4 x -100 to 400°C |
| Temperature Sensors (Air) | 2 x 0 to 100°C |
| Relative Humidity Sensors | 2 x 0 to 100% |
| Flowmeter | 0 to 7 L/min |
Key Features
- Heating System: 3 kW total heating load (2 x 1 kW cartridge heaters), 60°C max. temperature limit, with overtemperature controller and low water level safety switch
- Load Tank: 14 L stainless steel with water level gauge and on/off level switch
- Make-Up Tank: 2 L with float valve for automatic evaporation compensation
- Standard Column: clear acrylic, 150 x 150 mm cross-section, 600 mm height, 8 packing levels, 9 fins per level, specific surface 100 m2/m3 on this water cooling tower apparatus
- Pump: centrifugal, 120 to 600 L/h flow rate, 4 m head
- Fan: blower type, 145 m3/h max., 3000 rpm, airflow adjustable via intake damper
- Temperature Measurement: 4 x sensors (-100 to 400°C) for water and general, 2 x sensors (0 to 100°C) for air dry bulb temperature
- Humidity Measurement: 2 x relative humidity sensors, 0 to 100%, at air inlet and outlet
- Pressure Drop Measurement: digital differential manometer (0 to 8000 Pa standard), used with orifice for airflow rate determination
- Flowmeter: 0 to 7 L/min water flow measurement
- PC Interface: LAN and USB for digital data transmission
- Optional Software: ThermoFlux-7083SW, LabVIEW-based DAQ for measurement and results calculation on any Windows operating system
- Optional Columns: Types B, C, D, E with varying surface areas for comparative packing experiments
Experiments
- General operating procedures for cooling towers
- Overview of the forced draught cooling tower
- Examination of the relationship between cooling load and cooling range
- Analysis of the impact of cooling load on wet bulb approach
- Study of the impact of air velocity on wet bulb approach and pressure drop through the packing
- End state properties of air and steady flow equations
- Measurement of water and air flow rates, temperature, and humidity
- Performance evaluation of the cooling tower
Construction and Design
The Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083 is a benchtop forced-draught cooling tower built around a transparent clear acrylic packed column (150 x 150 mm cross-section, 600 mm height, 8 packing levels, 9 fins per level) mounted on a stainless steel air distribution chamber with a single-sided inlet centrifugal fan. The standard column assembly includes a sharp-edged orifice, droplet arrester, and water distribution system at the top. Hot water is heated in a 14 L stainless steel load tank by two 1 kW cartridge heaters (3 kW total), with a temperature controller and low-level safety switch protecting the heaters. A centrifugal pump (120 to 600 L/h, 4 m head) circulates heated water through a flowmeter and control valve to the column cap, where it is evenly distributed over the top packing deck. Water trickles downward as air flows upward from the fan (145 m3/h max., 3000 rpm), with evaporation and convection cooling the water before it collects in the basin and returns to the load tank. A 2 L make-up tank with float valve automatically replenishes water lost to evaporation. Temperature sensors monitor inlet and outlet water temperatures and make-up tank temperature. Dry bulb temperature and relative humidity are measured at both air inlet and outlet. A digital differential manometer (0 to 8000 Pa) measures pressure drop across the packing and determines airflow rate together with the orifice. All measurement data is shown on digital displays and transmitted to a PC via LAN or USB. This water cooling tower apparatus interfaces with optional Software ThermoFlux-7083SW developed in National Instruments LabVIEW for DAQ-based data acquisition, measurement, and results calculation on any Windows operating system.
Software
Software ThermoFlux-7083SW (Optional): DAQ software developed in National Instruments LabVIEW environment for measuring and calculating experimental results. Electronic sensors are included with the software option. Compatible with any Windows operating system.
Scope of Delivery
- 1 experimental unit
- 1 instruction manual
Optional Accessories
- Column Type B (TF – 7083/1)
- Column Type C (TF – 7083/2)
- Column Type D (TF – 7083/3)
- Column Type E (TF – 7083/5)
- Software TF-7083 (LabVIEW-based, Windows compatible)
Q1: What type of cooling tower does the Water Cooling Tower ThermoFlux-7083 replicate?
The unit replicates a forced-draught, counter-flow packed column cooling tower, as widely used in heavy industry, power plants, and air conditioning systems.
Q2: How is the water level maintained during operation of this water cooling tower apparatus?
A 2 L make-up tank with a float valve automatically compensates for water lost to evaporation during operation. At steady state, the compensation rate from the make-up tank matches the evaporation rate.
Q3: How is airflow rate determined in the ThermoFlux-7083?
Airflow rate is determined using the differential manometer reading across the sharp-edged orifice at the top of the column. Airflow can be adjusted using the intake damper on the centrifugal fan.
Q4: What column variants are available for the ThermoFlux-7083?
The standard Type A clear acrylic column is included. Four optional columns (Types B, C, D, E) with varying surface areas are available as accessories for comparative packing performance experiments.
Q5: Is data logging software included with the ThermoFlux-7083?
Data capture software is not included as standard. Process data can be transmitted to a PC via LAN or USB. Optional Software ThermoFlux-7083SW, developed in National Instruments LabVIEW, is available for DAQ-based measurement and results calculation on any Windows operating system, with electronic sensors included when this option is selected.
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