from Hacker News

Why Are Cooling Towers Shaped Like That?

by matricaria on 11/5/24, 4:27 PM with 1 comments

  • by elpocko on 11/5/24, 6:37 PM

    > The constricted center accelerates the flow upward. And the wider top helps promote mixing of the hot humid air with the cooler air outside. But, really, these are secondary benefits. The main reason for the shape is structural.

    > [...] the double curvature of a hyperboloid stiffens the shell against vertical loads like the structure’s own weight and horizontal loads like wind.