What happens if the air louvers in an induced draft cooling tower become clogged?

When the air louvers in an induced draft cooling tower become clogged, the most direct consequence is a higher return water temperature. This occurs because the clogging restricts airflow into the tower, which in turn hampers the evaporative cooling process. Cooling towers rely on the efficient exchange of air and water to dissipate heat; any obstruction in airflow reduces the cooling capacity. As a result, the water does not cool down sufficiently, leading to a rise in its temperature as it returns to the system.

In an induced draft cooling tower, the movement of air is critical for preventing overheating of the water. When airflow is compromised due to clogged air louvers, the heat exchange process fails to operate effectively, resulting in poor cooling performance and warmer return water temperatures. This can adversely affect system efficiency, potentially leading to operational issues within the overall cooling process.