Since the opening credits of US cartoon series The Simpsons, cooling towers have become synonymous with heavy industry and power. Similarly cooling towers have become familiar facets in the skylines of industry-focused cities such as Birmingham and Sheffield. So what are the facts behind these devices that are increasingly becoming part of the industrial landscape?

To begin, a cooling towers purpose is to remove hot air and are commonly used to shift excess heat from sites such as power plants, oil refineries and large scale factories. Cooling towers measure – on average – around 200 meters tall and 100 meters wide and are often a fluted, vase-like shape made from cement.

Cooling towers used in heavy industry ensure machinery and production facilities are kept at a comfortable and safe working temperature by disposing of excess heat into the atmosphere or by flushing cooled water back into natural water supplies; without damage to the local ecosystem. Cooling towers that do not have access to bodies of water or where activity would raise water temperatures above suitable levels for organisms often opt to dispose of excess heat via evaporation.

Many cooling towers produce a recognisable plumes of fog. In humid conditions, the levels of water discharge from the towers can cause low lying fog in areas around the towers as the level of water in the air becomes saturated. Tower operators need also be careful of freezing conditions which can affect the productivity of the tower. Residual ice which gathers in areas of moisture also adds weight to the tower’s structural load which – in very, very rare conditions – can lead to cracks which could potentially cause collapse.

Naturally, the level of maintenance and expertise required to keep a tower in optimal condition has lead to the increased popularity of cooling tower rentals where manufacturers and construction sites can obtain towers on a temporary basis.