4. Experimental methods
Each experimental test performed followed a strict procedure,
starting with the powering of the subsections described above, up
to the establishment of the steady state conditions and data storage.
Starting with a thermally rested cooling tower, the ventilator was
powered initiating the airflow through the tower. Next, the pump
of the heated water loop (red circuit) was powered, however, the
electrical resistances were unpowered until the filling structure
become soaked and the loop reached steady state. Next, the pump of the cooling water loop (blue circuit) was turned on along with
the thermal bath used to set the temperature of the cooling water.
Note that, while the time to obtain steady state conditions varied
from test to test, each data-recording test was allowed to run for 2
hours.