What are the two classifications of mechanical draft cooling towers?

The classifications of mechanical draft cooling towers are primarily divided into forced draft and induced draft systems based on how the airflow is generated.

In forced draft cooling towers, air is pushed into the cooling tower by fans located at the base or within the structure. This design helps ensure that air is delivered directly into the fill material, facilitating adequate heat exchange between the water and the air.

Induced draft cooling towers, on the other hand, have fans located at the top of the tower, which pull the air upwards through the fill where the water cascades down. This setup promotes a natural upward flow of air, enhancing the evaporation process while using the lifting power of the fan to draw air through the unit.

These two classifications are essential to understanding how mechanical draft cooling towers operate and how they can be applied in different scenarios, particularly concerning cooling efficiency and maintenance considerations.

Other classifications mentioned, like closed loop and open loop, refer to different types of cooling systems regarding water circulation but do not pertain specifically to mechanical draft cooling towers. The distinctions between circular and rectangular relate more to the physical design of the towers rather than their operational mechanics.