Cooling Tower and Glycol system

[mechatronic]

We will be procuring three centrifugal air compressors

1. Could any one kindly advice what factors to be considered for selecting the option between Water cooling of compressors - #1 cooling tower (which will be built for cooling systems for other equipment in the plant including these compressors) or #2 Glycol system with Fin fan , exclusively for these three compressors

2. Also I need to have cost comaparison between the two options of cooling. Hence please advice how to arrive at cooling costs if a cooling tower is used

Thanks a lot,

 

[dcasto]

You need to study your own cooling tower for the cost to operate.

The cost is: Energy used to run fans and circulation pumps
Cost to dispose of blowdown,
Cost to add water
Cost to treat added water,
treating cost of the water system
maintenace costs on the system,
and capital costs (use a simple 10 year life)
Take all the costs per year year and dived by the energy removed to get cost per unit of energy removed.

The cost for a closed glycol/water system with an air cooler is:
Cost Energy used to run fans and circulation pumps
Cost to add water and glycol
Cost to treat added water,
treating cost of the water system
maintenace costs on the system,
and capital costs (use a simple 10 year life)
Take all the costs per year year and dived by the energy removed to get cost per unit of energy removed.


Compare the 2 numbers and select.

 

[mechatronic]

Thanks a lot for responding Dcasto !

Just to share, I was told the effciency loss of about 3 % when glycol system is used

Thanks and regards - mechatronic

 

[justafink]

Don't forget to consider whether the compressors you're referring to will run during winter, and consider whether the chilled water loop/cooling tower will also be in operation during this time. You'll want to stick to an independent cooling method if you will run the compressors during winter months. --Ray