How is water contained in the airstream at the discharge of a cooling tower typically removed?

In cooling towers, water that is carried away with the airstream is referred to as drift. Drift refers to the small water droplets that are entrained in the air that exits the cooling tower. Drift eliminators are specifically designed to mitigate this issue by capturing these droplets and returning them to the cooling water basin.

The design of drift eliminators usually involves a maze-like structure that forces the air to change direction, allowing the water droplets to collide with surfaces and return to the water flow instead of escaping into the atmosphere. By effectively removing drift, cooling towers can improve water conservation and minimize environmental impact.

Evaporation techniques, filtration systems, and chemical treatments are not primary methods for addressing the issue of drift. Evaporation is a natural process that occurs in the cooling operation itself. Filtration systems are more focused on removing larger particles or impurities from the water rather than controlling drift. Chemical treatments may help with water quality but do not address the physical removal of water in the airstream. Thus, the role of drift eliminators is critical in managing water loss from cooling towers effectively.