Slotted splash bars for gas liquid contact apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTS According to the present invention, a splash bar is provided for a cooling tower which includes an elongate, generally flat splash plate section and at least one downwardly extending longitudinal structural rib section.
Multiple spaced open slots are provided in the downward rib sections to permit the splash bars to be firmly engaged and supported by a transverse horizontal string wire of the cooling tower.
The slots are sloped at a substantial angle off the perpendicular from the axis of rib section to provide stability against upward air drafts from air flowing in the direction opposite to the entrance of the sloped slot.
The slot entrance may be enlarged compared to the inner most end of the slot to facilitate registry of the slot and string wire during mounting.
Preferably, the slot projects along the rib section a distance so that the innermost extent of the slot is closely adjacent to splash plate for maximum stability to such upward air drafts.
In one embodiment, the splash bar is in a generally T-shaped configuration with the rib forming the upright portion of the T-shape.
In another embodiment, the splash bar is a generally square U-shaped configuration with the uprights of the U-shape forming two rib sections.
In other embodiments, an upwardly projecting rib section is also provided, forming a cross shape where there is only one downwardly projecting rib.
It is a general object of the invention to provide a structurally stable splash bar for a cooling tower, particularly of the crossflow type, in which the splash bar resists displacement by upward air drafts.
It is a particular object of the invention to provide a splash bar which is readily put into position on a string wire matrix and then is easily mounted in a stable position.
Additional objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the appended drawings.