TL;DR
Excessive drift means water droplets are escaping with the exhaust air. Inspect the drift eliminator sections for damage or missing panels and replace any that are cracked or displaced.
What you might see
- visible water plume beyond tower discharge
- wet surfaces downwind of tower
- water loss above expected blowdown rate
- deposits on nearby equipment or structures
Likely causes
Cracked, broken, or missing drift eliminator panels
Improper seating of eliminator panels leaving air bypass gaps
Excessive fan speed creating air velocity beyond the eliminator design rating
Obstructed or warped eliminator louvers from scale or impact damage
Required tools
- LOTO kit
- Tachometer
- Replacement drift eliminator panels (Marley part number from serial tag)
- Foam seal tape or compatible sealant
Safety first
- Lock out the fan before entering the tower air plenum.
- Wear gloves and eye protection near tower basin water due to potential biological contamination.
Procedure
- 1
Lock out the fan motor before entering the tower.
Warning: Do not enter the tower air plenum with the fan energized. - 2
Visually inspect each drift eliminator panel for cracks, broken blades, or missing sections.[1]
- 3
Check that all panels are fully seated in their frames. Push each panel firmly into its retaining clip or channel.
- 4
Look for gaps along the perimeter where eliminator panels meet the tower structure. Seal any gap wider than 3 mm with compatible foam seal or replace the panel.
- 5
Measure the fan RPM with a tachometer and compare to the design specification on the Marley nameplate. Reduce fan speed if it exceeds design.
- 6
Order replacement panels from SPX Cooling using the tower serial number. Install per the Marley fastening pattern.[1]
- 7
After replacement, re-energize the fan and observe the discharge plume from downwind. A properly functioning eliminator produces only water vapor, not visible droplets at close range.
Sources
Marley NC Cooling Tower User Manual, Marley Cooling (SPX Cooling Technologies)
Marley NC Cooling Tower Installation, Operation and Maintenance manual, drift eliminator inspection and replacement (general)
View source
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