In: Mechanical Engineering
The city of La Paz in Bolivia lies at an altitude of 3650m above sea level. Average atmospheric pressure is 62.3 kPa, average daytime temperature is 8.8 oC, and average relative humidity is 55%. The power station at La Paz airport uses a Baltimore Aircoil 3501A cooling tower; water coming from the condenser cooling circuit enters the top of the tower at 144 litres/s at 36 oC. Moist air at average ambient conditions enters the bottom of the tower and exits at the top at 12 oC with a relative humidity of 100%. The change in air pressure between inlet and outlet is negligible.
(a) If the evaporative cooling process in the tower loses 4% of the incoming water stream, what is the temperature of the cold water leaving the bottom of the tower?
(b) Under these conditions, what is the cooling capacity of the tower in tons? The rated capacity of the tower at normal ambient conditions (i.e. sea level, 21 oC wetbulb) is 500 tons: why is it operating so far from this point in La Paz?
(c) What is the volume flow rate of dry air leaving the tower?