Cooling Towers
Our cooling tower range includes both Mechanical and Natural Draft Cooling Towers. Our engineers tailor component combinations to deliver cost-effective systems that meet performance requirements. We offer cooling towers constructed from concrete, pultruded composites, wood, and steel, depending on project needs.
Mechanical Draft Cooling Towers
Our mechanical draft cooling towers are designed to efficiently cool hot water across various industries, including power generation, oil and gas, chemical processing, steel production, and food manufacturing.
These towers are classified as induced or forced draft, based on fan positioning, and as counterflow or crossflow, based on fill arrangement.
Constructed from pultruded FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polyester), our towers are ideal for long-term use in corrosive environments. Designed to CTI STD-137 and CTI STD-152 standards, they offer exceptional durability and performance.
Engineered to withstand extreme temperatures and water conditions, our towers ensure reliable thermal exchange in a cost-effective manner.
Hybrid Cooling Towers
Hybrid Cooling Towers integrate wet evaporative cooling with dry heat exchangers to reduce visible plume emissions and comply with environmental regulations.
NEXT’s hybrid solutions optimise energy and water usage while maintaining high cooling efficiency and minimising visual impact.
Plume Abatement
Our hybrid Cooling Towerscombine air-cooled and water-cooled technologies to effectively reduce visible plume emissions. By dynamically switching between evaporative or hybrid modes, our systems ensure environmental compliance and operational efficiency.
Advantages of Hybrid Cooling Solutions
- Energy Efficiency: Hybrid systems adapt to ambient conditions, using air cooling during cooler periods and water cooling during peak heat, thereby maximising energy efficiency.
Bulk Air Cooling Towers
Deep-level mining presents the challenge of maintaining safe working conditions, with virgin rock temperatures often exceeding 60°C. To address this, underground operations deploy some of the world’s largest ventilation and cooling systems, incorporating technologies such as evaporative condensers, mechanical refrigeration, pre-cooling towers, and bulk air coolers.
With over 30 years of experience, NEXT has led the development of cooling technologies for the mining sector. Our recent projects include installations for some of the world’s deepest mining operations.
Slurry and Solution Cooling Towers
Our engineers have developed a field-erected cooling tower specifically designed for slurries and highly abrasive or corrosive solutions.
Key features include:
- Forced draught fans
- Removable spray lances, accessible from external walkways
- Fill-less design, ideal for applications prone to internal fouling
Drift eliminators are assembled into easily removable pads and can be equipped with an automatic CIP (Cleaning in Place) system. Drift losses are minimised to as low as 0.002% of the recirculating flow rate. These towers can be constructed in various materials to suit environmental or project-specific requirements.
Cooling Tower Materials of Construction
FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polyester)
Our FRP Cooling Towers are built using pultruded profiles made from fibre-reinforced polyester, offering excellent corrosion resistance and structural strength.
Frame structures are spaced between 1.8 and 2.4 metres and delivered pre-cut and pre-drilled for efficient on-site assembly. The lightweight nature of FRP reduces foundation loads and simplifies handling.
Standard features include:
- Casing: Corrugated FRP panels for external cladding, partition walls, and louvers
- Water Distribution: FRP main header with lateral PVC pipes
NEXT prioritises constructability, ease of maintenance, with designs that enhance accessibility and streamline servicing activities.
Concrete
Our Concrete Cooling Towers are engineered for environments with harsh water conditions that may compromise FRP. These towers provide robust structural integrity and are ideal for areas with high wind loads or seismic activity.
Timber
Our Timber Cooling Towers offer a traditional yet effective solution to cooling water in industrial applications. Constructed from natural timber, these towers deliver efficient thermal performance while harmonising aesthetically with their surroundings.
Natural Draft Cooling Towers
NEXT specialises in the design and supply of Natural Draft Cooling Towers, particularly suited for large-scale thermal and nuclear power facilities where substantial volumes of heated water require cooling.
Thanks to their hyperbolic structure, these towers utilise the natural upward movement of air to cool water without the need for mechanical fans, significantly reducing operational costs. Where spatial constraints exist, performance can be enhanced through the integration of auxiliary fans.
Constructed from cast-in-situ concrete, our towers are engineered for longevity, even in the most demanding environments. Our extensive global portfolio spans multiple industries and geographies.
Special Design Considerations
Recognising that each facility presents unique operational challenges, we provide bespoke cooling solutions tailored to specific site requirements.
Noise Control
Effective noise control is critical in cooling tower installations, influencing both operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. Noise may originate from mechanical components, such as fans, or from water impact.
NEXT conducts comprehensive acoustic assessments early in the design phase to evaluate alternative mitigation strategies. Our solutions include:
- Impact Attenuation in the Water Basin: Floating or fixed surfaces are installed to dampen the sound of falling water in the basin.
- Inlet and Outlet Silencers: These devices reduce noise from air intake and exhaust flows.
- Low-Noise Fans: Specially designed blades minimise sound emissions while maintaining airflow efficiency.
- Soundproof Enclosures: Soundproof boxes are used to contain and reduce motor-generated noise.
Cold Climate Provisions
For operations in sub-zero environments, we offer advanced solutions to prevent freezing and ensure uninterrupted performance:
- Bypass systems
- De-icing systems with warm water spray at air inlets
- Insulated and heated lubrication systems
- Use of cold-resistant materials
Marine Environment Solutions
Seawater cooling applications demand materials that withstand high salinity and corrosion. NEXT designs and supplies systems using corrosion-resistant alloys and protective coatings, ensuring durability and reliability in marine conditions.
More Solutions
Cooling Towers
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Aftermarket
Turnkey service and spares to keep your plant running 24/7
