Modular Air Cooled Condenser Apparatus and Method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mechanical draft cooling tower that employs air cooled condenser modules. The aforementioned cooling tower operates by mechanical draft and achieves the exchange of heat between two fluids such as atmospheric air, ordinarily, and another fluid which is usually steam. The aforementioned cooling tower utilizes a modular air cooled condenser concept wherein the air cooled condensers utilize heat exchange deltas that use tube bundles that are manufactured and assembled prior to being shipped to the tower site.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for assembling an understructure for a modular air cooled condenser extending along a vertical axis away from horizontal, comprising the method steps of:
 preparing a foundation for a braced bay;   placing the braced bay on the foundation;   assembling a pre-constructed middle truss with a pre-constructed duct and risers;   placing the assembled middle truss and duct on the braced bay;   affixing a plurality of pre-constructed transversal structures to the braced bay;   affixing a plurality of pre-constructed transversal trusses to the affixed transversal structures;   affixing a plurality of pre-constructed longitudinal trusses to ends of the affixed transversal trusses; and   affixing a plurality of pre-constructed bridges between ones of the affixed transversal trusses.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the method step of:
 affixing a header to each respective riser.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the method step of:
 affixing a top manifold to each respective header.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising the method step of:
 affixing four of the top manifolds to each respective header.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising the method step of:
 affixing a bundle to each respective top manifold.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the method step of:
 fluidly connecting a return line to each bundle.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising the method step of:
 fluidly connecting the return line to a power plant.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the method step of:
 fluidly connecting a main steam line to the duct.   
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising the method step of:
 fluidly connecting the main steam line to a power plant.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the method step of:
 affixing a bell housing and a fan to the understructure.   
     
     
         11 . A modular understructure for an air cooled condenser extending along a vertical axis away from horizontal, comprising:
 a braced bay disposed on a foundation;   an assembled pre-constructed middle truss with a pre-constructed duct and risers disposed on the braced bay;   a plurality of pre-constructed transversal structures affixed to the braced bay;   a plurality of pre-constructed transversal trusses affixed to the affixed transversal structures;   a plurality of pre-constructed longitudinal trusses affixed to ends of the transversal trusses; and   a plurality of pre-constructed bridges affixed between ones of the transversal trusses.   
     
     
         12 . The modular understructure according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a header affixed to each respective riser.   
     
     
         3 . The modular understructure according to  claim 12 , further comprising the method step of:
 a top manifold affixed to each respective header.   
     
     
         14 . The modular understructure according to claim  13 , further comprising the method step of:
 four of the top manifolds affixed to each respective header.   
     
     
         15 . The modular understructure according to  claim 14 , further comprising the method step of:
 a bundle affixed to each respective top manifold.   
     
     
         16 . The modular understructure according to  claim 11 , further comprising the method step of:
 a return line fluidly connected to each bundle.   
     
     
         17 . The modular understructure according to  claim 16 , further comprising the method step of:
 the return line fluidly connected to a power plant.   
     
     
         18 . The modular understructure according to  claim 11 , further comprising the method step of:
 a main steam line fluidly connected to the duct.   
     
     
         19 . The modular understructure according to  claim 18 , further comprising the method step of:
 the main steam line fluidly connected to a power plant.   
     
     
         20 . The modular understructure according to  claim 11 , further comprising the method step of:
 a bell housing and a fan affixed to the understructure.