DRIFTOR® Drift Eliminators for cooling towers
Drift is water lost from cooling towers as liquid droplets become entrained in the exhaust air. The drift loss is independent of water lost by evaporation and may be expressed in units of lb/hr or as a percentage of circulating water flow. Cooling tower drift eliminators are used to control this drift loss.
Common Problems Solved by Drift Eliminators
DRIFTOR® Drift Eliminators can help address some of the most common issues caused by cooling tower drift loss, including:
- Corrosion on surrounding piping, equipment, and electrical components
- Short circuiting or failure of electrical systems
- Icing of public roads, parking lots, and fields downwind of the tower
- Emission of chemicals into the atmosphere
Description of DRIFTOR® Drift Eliminator
DRIFTOR® Drift Eliminator is an adaptation of the proven B-GON® Cooling Tower Mist Eliminator, engineered to collect droplets and drain the collected liquid away from the gas stream using our coarsest diameter monofilaments. It is made of polypropylene material filled with carbon black for UV protection and an extended service life.
While most cooling towers are equipped with the standard chevron, or high velocity design, drift eliminators, many still experience carryover problems which may be caused by:
- Plugging and fouling in the fill or drift eliminator
- Irregular air flow patterns
- Damaged or chipped drift eliminator
- Poor collection performance
DRIFTOR® Drift Eliminator can be installed directly over existing drift eliminators to collect the drift carryover regardless of the cause.
In many cases, installation can be completed while the cooling tower remains in operation, avoiding the long and costly outages often associated with correcting carryover issues.
DRIFTOR® retrofit installation over the wooden framework inside the cooling tower (left) and collecting and draining water after retrofit (right)
DRIFTOR® Drift Eliminator can be used to reduce carryover from cross-flow and counter-flow cooling towers, evaporative condensers, coolers, quench towers, or any other tower where drift is a concern.
Features and Benefits of DRIFTOR®
- Completely flexible
- Incredibly light-weight
- Fabricated in widths up to 72 inches (1.8 m) and unlimited lengths
- Media rolls up compactly for shipment and storage
- Low material, shipping, and installation costs — making it one of the most cost-effective drift eliminators available
FAQs
What Does a Cooling Tower Drift Eliminator Do?
A cooling tower drift eliminator captures and redirects water droplets in the exhaust airflow, improving water retention and reducing regulatory risks.
Function: Controls emissions, protects equipment, and maintains cooling tower efficiency.
What’s the Difference Between Drift Eliminators and Mist Eliminators?
- Drift Eliminators: Target large water droplets used in cooling towers.
- Mist Eliminators: Remove finer mists and aerosols .
- Fiber bed filters or mesh pads; used in industrial gas filtration.
Summary: Application-specific designs for different droplet sizes and flow characteristics.
Where Are Cooling Tower Mist Eliminators Used?
Used in:
- Power Generation
- HVAC Cooling Systems
- Chemical Processing
- Refineries
- Food & Beverage Plants
Any facility needing strict emission control and water conservation.
What Are High-Efficiency Drift Eliminators?
High-efficiency drift eliminators are engineered to capture fine water droplets with low pressure drop, critical for minimizing water waste and meeting environmental regulations.
Importance: protects nearby structures and reduces water treatment costs.
How to Select the Right Drift Eliminator
Consider these performance factors:
- Airflow rate and velocity
- Droplet size distribution
- Cooling tower design
- Chemical exposure
- Space constraints
Solution: Kimre provides custom-engineered drift eliminators tailored to your cooling system.
How Often Should Drift Eliminators Be Replaced?
- Inspection: Annually
- Replacement: Every 3–5 years (depending on conditions)
Kimre’s UV- and chemical-resistant thermoplastics ensure long-lasting, low-maintenance performance.
Why Choose Kimre Drift Eliminators?
- Customized thermoplastic designs
- Engineered for low pressure drop and high drift capture
- Proven in industrial and utility-scale cooling towers
- Expert technical support and custom configurations available
Need Help Choosing the Right Drift Eliminator?
Contact Kimre’s Engineering Team for a custom consultation or drift eliminator retrofit assessment.
