US Patent 9587885 Cooling tower with indirect heat exchanger

A heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section. The indirect evaporative heat exchange section is comprised of a series of serpentine tubes, and an evaporative liquid is passed downwardly onto the indirect heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid is collected in a sump and then pumped upwardly to be distributed again across the indirect heat exchange section. An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section consisting of a series of serpentine tubes comprised of tube runs both of normal and increased height between tube runs. A direct heat exchange section may be provided in the increased vertical spacing between tube runs.