Analysis of heat, mass, and momentum transfer in the rain zone of counterflow cooling towers

The rate of heat, mass, and momentum transfer in the rain zone of three cou nterflow cooling tower geometries is analyzed using simplifying assumptions and numerical integration. The objective of the analysis is to generate eq uations for use in a one-dimensional mathematical cooling tower performance evaluations. Droplet deformation is taken into account and momentum transf er is calculated from the airflow's mechanical energy loss, caused by air-d roplet interaction. A comparison of dimensionless semiempirical equations a nd experimental data demonstrates the method's capability to predict the pr essure drop in a counterflow rain zone.