Wind tunnel studies of methods to reduce wind-induced cooling tower performance losses

This paper describes methods used for reducing wind-induced performance losses of a 1/250 scaled model of a 250 MWe prototype natural draft cooling tower. The tests were concentrated on flow effects around the inlet region, since this area is the most promising for the retro-fitting of performance improving structures. Various flow conditioning devices were designed and their curative effects on the tower performance were quantified by measuring changes in the tower's pressure loss coefficient. Sensitivity of the tower's pressure coefficient to the designed flow conditioning devices are reported.