The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

The machines and processes of industry, as well as the air-conditioning systems for buildings generate tremendous amounts of heat, which must be continuously dissipated if these machines and processes are to continue to operate efficiently. Water cooling is the most efficient method of dissipating heat.

A cooling tower is a device used in industry to cool hot water (by partial evaporation) before reusing it as a coolant. Water directly contacts surrounding air and a very small part (1-2%) evaporates. This evaporation increases the air temperature and humidity and decreases the temperature of the water making it possible to cool below the normal air temperature. Although this heat is usually transferred to a cool, flowing volume of water, final rejection is always to the atmosphere and, invariably, is accomplished by some form of heat exchanger.

The amount of cooling that you get from a cooling tower depends on the relative humidity of the air and the barometric pressure. For example, the more humid the climate the lesser will be the temperature drop and vice versa.

Cooling towers are classified according to the means employed for producing air circulation through them. The towers vary in size from small roof-top units to very large hyperbolic structures that can be over 120 meters tall and 100 meters in length. Smaller towers are normally factory-built, while larger units are site constructed.

This 7 hour online course provides comprehensive information on cooling water systems and describes different types of cooling towers, their mechanical components and the problems associated with cooling water.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of thirty-five (35) questions at the end of this course to obtain PDH credits.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).