Splash bar apparatus and method

A heat exchange bar for evaporative cooling that extends generally normal to a longitudinal axis, comprising:

• a first side wall that extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein said first side wall includes a plurality of apertures disposed thereon;
• a second side wall that extends at an angle to the longitudinal axis, wherein said second side wall includes a plurality of apertures disposed thereon;
• and
• a top wall that extends between said first side wall and said second side wall generally parallel to the plane, wherein said top wall includes a plurality of openings, said plurality of openings each comprising:
• first and second opposing side walls;
• and
• a first finger that extends from said first side wall.

A method for cooling a liquid utilizing a heat exchange splash bar, comprising:

• passing a liquid to be cooled over the heat exchange splash bar, wherein the heat exchange splash bar comprises:
• a first serrated base, wherein said first serrated base lies in a plane;
• a second serrated base, wherein said second serrated base lies in the plane;
• a first side wall connected to said first serrated base that extends at an angle away from said first serrated base, wherein said first side wall includes a plurality of apertures disposed thereon;
• a second side wall connected to said second serrated base that extends at an angle away from said second serrated base, wherein said second side wall includes a plurality of apertures disposed thereon;
• and
• a top wall that extends between said first side wall and said second side wall generally parallel to the plane, wherein said top wall includes a plurality of openings, wherein said plurality of openings each comprise a first finger extending therein;
• contacting the liquid to be cooled to the splash bar, wherein said contacting step breaks the liquid to be cooled into liquid droplets;
• drawing an air current over and through the heat exchange splash bar;
• and
• withdrawing the heat from the liquid to be cooled.

A heat exchange splash bar, comprising:

• means for passing a liquid to be cooled over the heat exchange splash bar, wherein the heat exchange splash bar comprises:
• a first serrated base, wherein said first serrated base lies in a plane;
• a second serrated base, wherein said second serrated base lies in the plane;
• a first side wall connected to said first serrated base that extends at an angle away from said first serrated base, wherein said first side wall includes a plurality of apertures disposed thereon;
• a second side wall connected to said second serrated base that extends at an angle away from said second serrated base, wherein said second side wall includes a plurality of apertures disposed thereon;
• and
• a top wall that extends between said first side wall and said second side wall generally parallel to the plane, wherein said top wall includes a plurality of openings, wherein said plurality of openings each comprise a first finger extending therein;
• means contacting the liquid to be cooled to the splash bar, wherein said means for contacting breaks the liquid to be cooled into liquid droplets;
• means for drawing an air current over and through the heat exchange splash bar;
• and
• means for withdrawing the heat from the liquid to be cooled.