Cooling Water Systems and Modeling

摘要

This paper reviews both conventional and innovative options for cooling water systems applicable to refineries and plants requiring the utility. Some benefits of the newer technology described within include a close wet-bulb-approach, relatively small required plant space and a closed fresh water cooling loop sent to process units which is not open to environmental contamination. Replacing traditional cooling towers and plate-and-frame-exchangers with this newer technology optimizes water consumption which leads to reduced cost and reduced environmental impact. This newer approach combines evaporative cooling with tube bundles to provide cooled water to the process units. The hydraulics of a cooling system incorporating this newer approach are modeled extensively to balance the system and specify the required pumps early in the design process with minimum controls. This paper will also review lessons learned including relief systems and flow control issues in a complex system.