Modules for heat exchange for use in cooling towers

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to modules for heat exchange for use in cooling towers and methods of assembling cooling towers using such modules. The aforementioned modules for heat exchange may include fill packing and a triangular support structure comprising a plurality of structural members. The aforementioned modules for heat exchange may be assembled prior to being transported to a job site and installed in a cooling tower. The triangular support structure may be configured to provide support for the heat exchange module when the heat exchange module is transported. In other aspects of the present disclosure, the aforementioned modules for heat exchange may include a firewall structure configured to withstand dynamic loads when the heat exchange module is transported.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A heat exchange module for use in a cooling tower, the heat exchange module comprising:
 fill packing; and   a triangular support structure comprising a plurality of structural members,   wherein the heat exchange module is configured to be transportable,   wherein the triangular support structure is configured to provide support for the heat exchange module when the heat exchange module is transported.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of structural members of the triangular support structure comprises:
 a first structural member forming a base of the triangular support structure;   a second structural member connected to the first structural member and extending out perpendicularly from the first structural member;   a third structural member connected to a first end of the first structural member and a distal end of the second structural member; and   a fourth structural member connected to a second end of the first structural member and the distal end of the second structural member.   
     
     
         3 . The heat exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein the second structural member is connected to the first structural member at a halfway point between the first end and the second end of the first structural member. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein the third structural member and the fourth structural member are symmetrically disposed around a longitudinal length of the second structural member. 
     
     
         5 . The heat exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein the third structural member is configured to transfer a first load from the first structural member to the distal end of the second structural member,
 wherein the fourth structural member is configured to transfer a second load from the first structural member to the distal end of the second structural member,   wherein the second structural member is configured to transfer at least the first load and the second load from the distal end of the second structural member to a center portion of the heat exchange module.   
     
     
         6 . The heat exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein at least the first structural member and the second structural member are compression members. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein at least one of the third structural member and the fourth structural member are tension members. 
     
     
         8 . The heat exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein the second structural member supports a compressive load when the heat exchange module is transported. 
     
     
         9 . The heat exchange module of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of structural members of the triangular support structure is disposed in a plane parallel to a transverse side of the heat exchange module. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the triangular support structure is configured to transfer a load from an overhang portion of the heat exchange module to a center portion of the heat exchange module when the heat exchange module is transported on a surface having a dimension less than a dimension of the heat exchange module,
 wherein the overhang portion corresponds to a portion of the heat exchange module overhanging the surface on which the heat exchange module is transported.   
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the triangular support structure is further configured to provide support for a portion of the cooling tower other than the heat exchange module. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchange module of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange module comprises an additional structural member,
 wherein the triangular support structure is disposed below the additional structural member,   wherein the triangular support structure is configured to receive a third load from the additional structural member and transfer the third load to a center portion of the heat exchange module.   
     
     
         13 . A heat exchange module for use in a cooling tower, the heat exchange module comprising:
 fill packing; and   a firewall structure,   wherein the heat exchange module is configured to be transportable,   wherein the firewall structure is configured to withstand dynamic loads when the heat exchange module is transported.   
     
     
         14 . The heat exchange module of  claim 13 , wherein the firewall structure comprises a fiber-reinforced material. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchange module of  claim 13 , wherein the firewall structure is configured to form a portion of a firewall system of the cooling tower, the firewall system of the cooling tower configured to separate a first cell of the cooling tower from a second cell of the cooling tower. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchange module of  claim 13 , wherein the firewall structure comprises:
 a first panel;   a second panel laterally spaced from the first panel; and   a separator disposed between the first panel and the second panel,   wherein a first side of the separator is in substantial contact with the first panel and a second side of the separator is in substantial contact with the second panel.   
     
     
         17 . The heat exchange module of  claim 16 , wherein the separator extends across a full dimension of the first wall and the second wall. 
     
     
         18 . The heat exchange module of  claim 13 , wherein the firewall structure comprises a non-porous surface that is substantially resistant to liquid absorption. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchange module of  claim 13 , wherein the firewall structure has a flexural strength greater than a different firewall structure formed of cement board having the same dimensions as the firewall structure. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchange module of  claim 13 , wherein the firewall structure has a tensile strength greater than a different firewall structure formed of cement board having the same dimensions as the firewall structure.