Review and feedback of experience gained over the last fifty years in design and construction of natural-draught cooling towers

A review of natural-draught cooling towers and their development from the early 1930s to the present is given. Experience gained with these older towers, some of which are still in operation, is described and attention is drawn to aspects of construction and design that have proved to be unsatisfactory. Examples of towers with structural defects that have led to current design philosophy are described. Observations on other aspects of design of natural-draught cooling towers, such as foundations, packing, packing supports and lightning protection are given.