How to Choose a Drift Eliminator

Every cooling tower emits water into the environment in the form of a mist or vapour. This water vapour is not harmful to the environment.

However, drift on the other hand is undesirable since they are water droplets which are carried into the environment and might contain chemicals or other undesirable elements.

Drift eliminators, therefore, are very important components of a cooling tower since they prevent these water droplets from escaping into the atmosphere. With so many options in the market, it is important to choose the right drift eliminator.

Highlighted below are tips to help you choose the right one.

But First, What Is a Drift Eliminator

Drift operator is a cooling tower part which is designed to prevent water droplets from escaping into the environment.

Which are some Factors to Consider While Buying Drift Eliminators?

#1. Buy From A Trustworthy Manufacturer

In order to prevent expensive downtime as a result of repairing your cooling tower parts every now and then, ensure that you buy your drift eliminator from a trustworthy manufacturer.

Make sure that the manufacturer clearly understands your cooling tower specifications and will the manufacturer or sell you the drift eliminator which matches these specifications. At Sara Cooling Towers, we understand our customers’ needs and as such, our products are used all over the world.

We are very flexible and our drift eliminators will fit any cooling tower. Try us today and you will not regret the decision.

It is normal for drift eliminators to become clogged and suffer tear and wear after some time of usage. However, poor installation and lack of constant maintenance will make your cooling tower suffer damage faster.

Therefore, it is important to work with a company that will not only install the drift operator but also offer a well-structured maintenance schedule. At Sara Cooling Towers, apart from providing scheduled maintenance, we also offer emergency services and make adjustments whenever they are needed.

#2. Choose The Material That Best Suits Your Cooling Tower

Drift eliminators are made of different materials. The most common ones are Polypropylene (PP), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or steel.

Your choice of the material that you will use for your cooling tower’s drift eliminator will depend on the purpose of the eliminator. You might want a material which is highly resistant to corrosion or one which can withstand high velocity for a long time.

• PVC and PP

PVC and PP are the two most common materials used in drift eliminators in cooling tower parts especially the eliminators. They are preferred because they are durable, compatible with most cooling tower parts and are cost effective as far as manufacturing is concerned.

However, one of the downsides of both materials is their tendency to make water to bead up on their surface due to their hydrophobic nature. This characteristic is disadvantageous since eliminators work best when water is spread over the surface.

• Polypropylene(PP)

PP is a recyclable material made of both fibre and plastic. It tolerates heat better than PVC but it degrades faster when exposed to ultraviolet rays.

However, it is resistant to moisture.

• Polyvinyl Chloride(PVC)

PVC is the most commonly used material in cooling tower parts especially drift eliminators since it is cheap and works equally well. It is also resistant from corrosion, unlike metal.

However, PVC is known to release some harmful by-products when exposed to high temperatures.

• Steel

Due to its tough nature, steel is ideal for use in cooling towers which emit very high temperatures. Cooling tower parts with steel drift eliminators are also perfect for container shipments.

Since metal is susceptible to corrosion, it is advisable that you buy one that has been coated. The coating provides protection from corrosion caused by water.

#3. Choose A Drift Eliminator That Is Compatible With Your Cooling Tower Parts

As it often happens in life, you might not get the exact material that your cooling tower uses. However, it is important to ensure that you get a drift eliminator which is made of a material that is compatible with your cooling tower.

To this end, go for a drift eliminator made of PVC, for example, to fit with a drift eliminator made of a different material say metal.

Another trick is to look for eliminators which you can cut in the field. In this way, you will be able to get eliminators that fit well into confined spaces.

Note: The structural integrity of some eliminators is compromised once cut. Therefore ensure that the eliminator is the exact size required for your cooling tower parts.

In case you have to cut the eliminator into small pieces, ensure that you do not damage its integrity.

#4. Find Eliminators That Can Fit Together

In some cases, you might need to fit more than one eliminator in the same place. If that is the case, then you need drift eliminators that can snap together.

To get it right, look for a cooling tower parts expert who will help you determine if the drift eliminators you want to purchase are up to the task.

#5. Choose An Eliminator That Can Handle The Velocity Of The Cooling Tower

Different cooling towers have different air velocities and as such, it is important to choose an eliminator which can handle your cooling tower’s velocity. The best eliminator is the one with a low-pressure drop since it can withstand higher velocities.

The disadvantage of having an eliminator which cannot handle the tower’s velocity is that it will move from its position and therefore not work properly. Additionally, the eliminator’s grate might get distorted in the process which will call for frequent maintenance.

#6. Finally, Buy  Cooling Tower Parts That You Can Easily Inspect To Identify Any Malfunction

Look for these signs to identify trouble

• Are There Any Visible Droplets?

If you see visible droplets escaping from the cooling tower, then it is a sure sign that your drift eliminator is not working properly.

• Look For Unusually Large Gaps In The Drift Eliminator Bank

If there are large gaps between drift eliminator blades or modules, then there will be an unnecessary escape of water droplets. Therefore ensure that the gaps are not unusually large.

• Check to See If The Eliminator Has Become Brittle

Brittleness is usually caused by UV light. Once the blades become brittle, they cannot entrap the water droplets well.

Conclusion

Choosing the right cooling tower parts especially the drift eliminator can be a very tricky affair. However, with the above information, we are sure that you will find the task simple and you will make the right purchasing decision.