Eskom’s coal-fired power stations rely heavily on natural draft wet cooling towers for heat dissipation.
However, a major challenge is excessive fouling of the internal fill material, leading to increased maintenance needs and reduced cooling performance.
To address this issue, Eskom is replacing the asbestos fill in some towers with alternative materials. To evaluate potential replacements, TF Design was contracted to construct and operate a series of test rigs.
Simulating Real-World Conditions
These four test rigs meticulously replicate the conditions within a natural draft wet cooling tower. Utilizing actual cooling tower water, the rigs track both the rate of fouling and the thermal performance of the fill materials over time.
Data-Driven Decisions
The comprehensive results of this 3-year study are documented in CTI papers TP19-05 and TP23-03, as well as the winter 2024 CTI journal. This data provided Eskom with the critical insights needed to make informed decisions regarding their cooling tower fill replacement strategy.
TFD can re-create this rig in a containerised form for prospective clients.
