Device for pre-cooling air in air-cooling units

Abstract

An apparatus for condensing or cooling a heat carrier can be used at power, chemical or oil-refining plants. It comprises a housing, a fan, and a heat exchanger. In front of openings in the housing serving for ambient air intake, at least one water atomizing element is placed connected to an independent water source. The element is a closed contour with nozzles equally spaced along the length of the contour that is rigidly connected to the housing or secured on a base shared with the housing. Preferably, a plurality of water atomizing elements is provided arranged along the perimeter of the housing and connected by a conduit to the water source. Each element is equipped with a shut-off cock to independently service, repair or replace the element. The apparatus improves the interaction of air with the heat carrier and thus enhances the operational efficiency, especially under hot climate conditions.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for cooling or condensing a heat carrier in an air cooling unit (ACU) comprising a housing with openings to draw incoming air, a fan, and a heat exchanger with the heat carrier, the apparatus comprising, at least, one element for atomizing water and an independent source of water, the element being placed in front of the housing openings, the element including a closed contour with nozzles equally spaced along the length of the contour, the element being in fluid communication with the independent source of water, whereby cooling the incoming air and cooling the heat carrier are separated. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the contour of the element includes two hollow tubes connected to each other by upper and bottom portions thereof, whereby liquid can be passed therethrough with homogeneous pressure thereof at each of the nozzles. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the element is attached to the housing or to a base shared with the housing. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein diameter of the nozzles is between 0.1 and 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the pressure between 50 and 90 atm is created in the contour. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one element for atomizing water includes a plurality of elements for atomizing water arranged along the perimeter of the ACU, the elements being connected to each other by a conduit fed from the independent source of water, whereby an overcast fog-like curtain is created around the ACU. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein each element for atomizing water comprises a shut-off cock for independently isolating same from the conduit, whereby each of the elements can be repaired or replaced without stopping other elements. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein diameter of nozzles is 0.3 mm and the pressure is 70 atm.