PVC Fill

PVC Cooling Tower Fill Media

Overview

The PVC fill is the core heat transfer medium in a cooling tower. It provides a large surface area for water to spread into thin films or droplets, increasing contact with incoming air and enhancing evaporative cooling efficiency.

Role in Cooling Towers

As hot water enters the cooling tower and is distributed onto the fill, the PVC sheets or grids break up the water flow into thin layers. This maximizes the contact surface between water and air, leading to rapid heat rejection and lower outlet water temperature.

Types of Fill

• Film Fill: Water spreads into a thin film across corrugated sheets; provides the highest heat transfer efficiency, but requires clean water.
• Splash Fill: Breaks water into droplets as it cascades; less efficient but more tolerant of poor water quality.
• Hybrid Fill: Combination of film and splash, suitable for variable water conditions.

Applications

PVC fill is used in open cooling towers, closed-circuit hybrid towers, and evaporative condensers to improve heat rejection. The choice of fill directly affects tower footprint, efficiency, and water treatment needs.

How to Select

• For clean process water → Film Fill is best (high efficiency, compact design).
• For industrial water with solids → Splash Fill provides clog resistance.
• For mixed conditions → Hybrid Fill balances efficiency and reliability.