EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEM COMPRISING ENERGY RECOVERY TURBINE(S)

摘要

Energy recovery arrangements are described for evaporative cooling systems in which cooling water undergoes a pressure transition from a pressurized state to a pressure-reduced state at one or more pressure transition locations in the cooling system, with an energy recovery water turbine being positioned at at least one of the pressure transition locations to receive pressurized water for flow therethrough to generate an energy output. The energy output may be utilized to reduce cooling utility requirements for an installation in which the evaporative cooling system is installed and/or the recovered energy may be exported to an electrical grid or other use facility.

主权项

1. An evaporative cooling system, comprising a cooling tower coupled with a water flow circuit to which a pump and heat exchanger are operatively coupled, configured so that water warmed by heat exchange in the heat exchanger is driven by the pump to the cooling tower for evaporative cooling, with recirculation of cooled water from the cooling tower to the heat exchanger, wherein water in the water flow circuit, and water in a make-up water feed to the cooling tower, undergo a pressure transition from a pressurized state to a pressure-reduced state at one or more pressure transition locations in the cooling system, and an energy recovery water turbine positioned at at least one of said pressure transition locations to receive pressurized water for flow therethrough to generate an energy output.