SPX Profiles

Cooling Tower Fill

SPX Cooling Technologies features the most complete portfolio of cooling tower fill designs — both film-type and splash-type — in the world today.

From high-performance film-fills to performance enhancing splash-fills, SPX Cooling Technologies has every possible combination to fit any specific heat dissipation project.

The two basic types of fill utilized in present day cooling towers are splash-type and film-type. Either type of fill may be used in towers of both crossflow and counterflow configurations. Both types of fill exhibit advantages in varied operating situations, assuring that neither is likely to endanger the continued utilization of the other.

Splash fill causes the flowing water to cascade through successive elevations of parallel “splash bars.” Because of the water dispersal that takes place within splash fill, splash-fill towers are far more forgiving of the poor initial water distribution which can result from clogged or missing nozzles.

Typical industries where splash-fill should be considered would be food processing, steel production, paper processing and ammonia stripping.

Although very forgiving of “dirty” water and imperfect distribution, splash fills do requires a stable support system to prevent long-term performance degradation.

Film fill has gained prominence because of its ability to expose greater water surface within a given packed volume. Approximately half of the fill used in crossflow towers, and virtually all that which is utilized in counterflow towers, is of the film-type.

It is equally effective in either type cooling tower. In the majority of operating cases, the use of film fills enables cooling tower manufacturers to achieve a given amount of cooling within a smaller tower than would be required if splash fill were utilized.

Key Features of Film Fill

• Greater cooling capacity in a given space
• Low-clog designs available
• Available in bottom supported or hanging designs
• FM approval available
• Crossflow and counterflow designs
• Integral louvers and eliminators available in crossflow design.
• High-temperature designs available
• Single-piece, full-height counterflow designs available

Key Features of Splash Fill

• Ideal in “dirty water” applications
• Far more forgiving of poor water distribution caused by clogged or missing nozzles
• Water easily redistributes itself
• Ideal in dusty or wooded environments
• Easy maintenance
• Long service life
• High-temperature designs available
• Designs available for heavy ice loads