Liquid distribution in an evaporative heat rejection system

Abstract

A liquid distribution system for an evaporative heat rejection system that includes a heat transfer surface is disclosed. The liquid distribution system includes a plurality of liquid conduits adapted to transport liquid for distribution over the heat transfer surface, and each liquid conduit having at least one orifice. At least a first orifice in a first conduit and a second orifice in a second conduit are positioned such that when the liquid is transported under a predetermined pressure thought the conduits, the liquid is emitted from the first and second orifices in first and second streams, respectively, that collide at a collision site, thus causing liquid to be scattered from the collision site and distributed over the heat transfer surface.

1 . A liquid distribution system for an evaporative heat rejection system that includes a heat transfer surface, the liquid distribution system comprising:
 a plurality of liquid conduits adapted to transport liquid for distribution over the heat transfer surface, each liquid conduit having at least one orifice,   wherein at least a first orifice in a first liquid conduit and a second orifice in a second liquid conduit are positioned such that when the liquid is transported under a predetermined pressure thought the conduits, the liquid is emitted from the first and second orifices in first and second streams, respectively, that collide at a collision site, thus causing liquid to be scattered from the collision site and distributed over the heat transfer surface.   
   
   
       2 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice and the second are positioned in the first conduit and the second conduit, respectively, such that the first stream and the second stream are emitted at angles of between −45° and +45° with respect to the horizontal direction. 
   
   
       3 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the first stream and the second stream are emitted at an angle of between −25° and +10° with respect to the horizontal direction. 
   
   
       4 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second liquid conduits are substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       5 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of liquid conduits are arranged in an array of substantially parallel conduits,
 wherein conduits at edges of the array include orifices on one side of the conduit facing other conduits of the array,   wherein interior conduits of the array include orifices on each side of the conduit facing other conduits of the array,   wherein conduits at edges of the array have cross-sectional areas that are smaller than cross-sectional areas of interior conduits of the array.   
   
   
       6 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of liquid conduits are arranged in an array of substantially parallel conduits, and
 wherein the heat transfer surface comprises heat exchange coils oriented substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of conduits arranged in an array.   
   
   
       7 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , further comprising a manifold coupled to first ends of the first and second liquid conduits, wherein the manifold is adapted to transport liquid to the first and second liquid conduits,
 wherein each of the first and second liquid conduits includes a plurality of orifices along a length of the conduit, and wherein orifices located at ends of each of the conduits proximate to the manifold are larger than orifices located at ends of the conduits distal to the manifold.   
   
   
       8 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice and the second orifice comprise holes through a wall of the first and second conduit, respectively, and wherein radii of the first and second orifices at an inner surface of the respective wall is larger than radii of the first and second orifices at an outer surface of the respective wall. 
   
   
       9 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the first orifice and the second orifice comprise adjustable inserts configured to adjust the direction of liquid that flows out of the orifices. 
   
   
       10 . The liquid distribution system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer surface comprises an indirect heat transfer section and a direct heat transfer section, and wherein the liquid distribution system is positioned above the indirect heat transfer section. 
   
   
       11 . An evaporative heat rejection system comprising:
 an indirect heat transfer section;   a liquid distribution system positioned above the indirect heat transfer section, wherein the liquid distribution system comprises:
 a plurality of liquid conduits adapted to transport liquid for distribution over the indirect heat transfer section, each liquid conduit having at least one orifice, 
 wherein at least a first orifice in a first liquid conduit and a second orifice in a second liquid conduit are positioned in the first conduit and the second conduit, respectively, such that when the liquid is transported under a predetermined pressure through the conduits, the liquid is emitted from the first and second orifices in first and second streams, respectively, that collide at a collision site, thus causing liquid to be scattered from the collision site and distributed over the indirect heat transfer section, such that the liquid drains through the indirect heat transfer section; 
   a direct heat transfer section positioned to receive liquid that has been distributed over and drained through the indirect heat transfer section, such that the liquid drains through the direct heat transfer section;   a liquid collector configured to receive substantially all of the liquid that drains through the direct heat transfer section; and   a pump operably connected to the liquid collector and configured to return liquid from the liquid collector to the liquid distribution system.   
   
   
       12 . The evaporative heat rejection system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second orifices are positioned in the first conduit and the second conduit, respectively, such that the first stream and the second stream are emitted at an angle of between −45° and +45° with respect to the horizontal direction. 
   
   
       13 . The evaporative heat rejection system of  claim 11 , wherein the first stream and the second stream are emitted at an angle of between −25° and +10° with respect to the horizontal direction. 
   
   
       14 . The evaporative heat rejection system of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second liquid conduits are substantially parallel to each other. 
   
   
       15 . The evaporative heat rejection system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of liquid conduits are arranged in an array of substantially parallel conduits,
 wherein conduits at edges of the array include orifices on one side of the conduit facing other conduits of the array,   wherein interior conduits of the array include orifices on each side of the conduit facing other conduits of the array,   wherein conduits at edges of the array have cross-sectional areas that are smaller than cross-sectional areas of interior conduits of the array.   
   
   
       16 . The evaporative heat rejection system of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of liquid conduits are arranged in an array of substantially parallel conduits, and
 wherein the indirect heat transfer surface section comprises heat exchange coils oriented substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of conduits arranged in an array.   
   
   
       17 . The evaporative heat rejection system of  claim 11 , further comprising a manifold coupled to first ends of the first and second liquid conduits of each conduit, wherein the manifold is adapted to transport liquid to the first and second liquid conduits,
 wherein each of the first and second liquid conduit includes a plurality of orifices along a length of the conduits, and wherein orifices located at ends of each of the conduits proximate to the manifold are larger than orifices located at ends of the conduits distal to the manifold.   
   
   
       18 . A method of distributing liquid over a heat transfer surface of an evaporative heat rejection system, the method comprising:
 providing liquid at a predetermined pressure; and   transporting the liquid at the predetermined pressure through a plurality of liquid conduits, each liquid conduit having at least one orifice,   wherein at least a first orifice in a first liquid conduit and a second orifice in a second liquid conduit are positioned in the first conduit and the second conduit, respectively, such that when the liquid is transported under the predetermined pressure thought the conduits, the liquid is emitted from the first and second orifices in first and second streams, respectively, that collide at a collision site, thus causing liquid to be scattered from the collision site and distributed over the heat transfer surface.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the orifices are positioned such that the first stream and the second stream are emitted at an angle of between −45° and +45° with respect to the horizontal direction. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the first stream and the second stream are emitted at an angle of between −25° and +10° with respect to the horizontal direction. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 collecting the liquid after it has been distributed over and drained through the heat transfer surface; and   returning the liquid to be provided again at the predetermined pressure and to be transported again through the plurality of conduits.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of liquid conduits are arranged in an array of substantially parallel conduits, and
 wherein the heat transfer surface comprises heat exchange coils oriented substantially perpendicularly to the plurality of conduits arranged in an array.