Flow control system for an evaporative cooler sump

摘要

The present disclosure relates to an evaporative cooler for a turbine intake system. The evaporative cooler includes a reservoir for holding water, a media, a manifold for dispersing the water from the reservoir above the media, a manifold flow line extending from the reservoir to the manifold, a collector for collecting the water below the media, and a pump for pumping the water through the manifold flow line from the reservoir to the manifold. The evaporative cooler also includes a return line for returning the water from the collector to the reservoir, at least one water supply line for supplying the water to the reservoir, and a valve structure for controlling flow through the at least one water supply line. The evaporative cooler further includes a level sensor for indicating whether a top surface of the water within the reservoir is: (1) above or below a first water line; and (2) above or below a second water line positioned below the first water line. A controller interfaces with the valve structure and the level sensor. The controller causes the valve structure to: (1) start water flow to the reservoir at a first flow rate when the top surface of the water falls below the first water line; and (2) increase water flow to the reservoir from the first flow rate to a higher second flow rate when the top surface of the water falls below the second water line.