Why cooling towers are essential for efficient and reliable airport operations

Article

Insights

December 11, 2024 / 3 min read time

Airports are among the largest energy consumers due to massive terminals, constant air traffic control, and essential IT systems, all generating significant heat. They must maintain optimal temperatures for passengers, employees and critical infrastructure, which adds constant operational pressure.

 

Let’s dive into the key role that EWK cooling towers play in managing this heat, ensuring energy savings and system reliability. By reducing energy consumption, improving system uptime, and supporting sustainability initiatives like water conservation and carbon capture, cooling towers maintain efficient airport operations.

 

 

EWK Cooling towers, engineered for peak energy efficiency

 

In general, cooling towers act as heat exchangers that pull heat from water and return cold water to industrial equipment. Their main operational purpose is to cool down the immense demands of the airport infrastructure. They achieve this by transferring waste heat into the atmosphere through the evaporation of a small portion of water. This process cools the remaining water, which is then recirculated back into the system.

 

EWK has decades of experience in providing efficient, reliable cooling solutions worldwide. With experience in both open-and closed-circuit cooling towers, evaporative condensers, and adiabatic cooling, they are the ideal partner for all airports that aim to increase their operational efficiency while reducing energy consumption.

 

 

Why are Cooling Towers the backbone of airport systems’ uptime?

 

Energy efficiency for large-scale operations

 

EWK cooling towers help airports reduce energy consumption by efficiently cooling water through heat transfer processes. Their towers are designed to use water evaporation as a natural and more energy-efficient method to cool down HVAC systems, significantly cutting down energy costs compared to traditional air conditioning.

 

With rising energy prices, energy optimization is crucial, and EWK cooling towers provide the reliability and cost-effectiveness airports need to remain competitive. Modern cooling towers are often part of energy-efficient systems that significantly reduce overall energy consumption. A new cooling tower installation at a large airport is expected to save up to 30% on energy costs, which translates to substantial reductions in carbon emissions.

 

Durable and long-lasting solutions

 

EWK’s cooling towers are built to last. Their FRP (fiberglass-reinforced plastic) casings are corrosion-resistant, ensuring longevity even in the harshest conditions. This makes them ideal for the aviation industry, where infrastructure must endure constant use and extreme weather conditions. Additionally, Sanipacking internals ensure compliance with Legionella regulations, which is critical for the health and safety of both passengers and staff.

 

Maintaining critical infrastructure

 

Airports are not solely about passenger comfort; they are also home to air traffic control centers, data centers, and communication hubs, all of which must be cooled consistently to prevent system failures. EWK’s closed-circuit cooling towers ensure that these critical systems stay operational by isolating the cooling fluid from external contaminants, reducing maintenance needs while providing consistent performance. Their closed-loop designs ensure minimal downtime, crucial for high-stakes environments.

 

Pre-assembled and easy to install

 

Airports require cooling solutions that are not only effective but also quick to install without disrupting daily operations. EWK cooling towers come pre-assembled, piped, and wired, ensuring fast and efficient installation. With compact designs that fit seamlessly into existing airport structures, these towers help airports maintain a balance between space and functionality.

 

Supporting green energy initiatives

 

With sustainability being a growing priority for airports globally, EWK’s cooling towers contribute to green energy initiatives through their heat recovery systems. These systems recycle excess heat, ensuring that energy use is minimized, aligning airports with modern environmental standards and helping them reduce their overall carbon footprint. Innovative approaches are being explored to retrofit airport cooling towers for additional environmental benefits, such as capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This could contribute to sustainability efforts within the aviation industry.

 

Water conservation

Cooling towers also play a role in water management by recycling water used in cooling processes. They can operate with minimal water loss, typically evaporating only 3-4% of the water used, thus conserving resources while maintaining operational efficiency.

 

 

Holistic solutions & flexible rentals

 

We offer a wide range of tailored services, combining our expertise to assist clients from start to finish. As consultants, we establish strong partnerships with key parties including investors, consultants, user-operators, maintenance performance experts, and engineers. Our services include technical audits, custom system design, project management, and maintenance for cooling towers and related systems. We focus on ensuring peak performance and energy efficiency throughout the system’s lifecycle. Additionally, we specialize in revamping and upgrades, keeping systems compliant with safety and environmental regulations.

 

We also provide flexible rental solutions for cooling systems, allowing clients to meet short-term needs or test equipment before making a purchase. We want to make sure that we provide an adaptable approach for businesses to manage cooling needs efficiently, whether for temporary operations or as a trial period before committing to a full purchase.

 

Get in touch with a Consultech specialist today to discuss your options, schedule an audit and find the right solution tailored to your business needs.

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