Solar Wind Energy Tower Inc. (fka SWET)

[shajandr]

http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/gases/faq/wet-air-dry-air-density.shtml

And since he brought up meteorology into it:

http://www.theweatherprediction.com/habyhints/260/

BUT the temperature reduction from the cooling due to the heat of evaporation of water, the net air mass may be LESS DENSE because the temperature may fall such that the air mass that has been cooled and humidified occupies a SMALLER volume than the input dry hotter air.

SO, the cooling tower COULD work, but it would not be very efficient unless the outside air mass was VERY dry and VERY hot compared to the cooled, humidified air coming out at the bottom.

The real energy cost is the pressure head needed to lift the mass of water to that great height.

I suspect that at most temperatures and humidities, that tower would be a net energy CONSUMER due to the pumping and sprayer pressure requirements.

In the conventional COOLING tower, those factors work in favor or cooling: the water is at ground level, does not need to be sprayed at high pressure to nebulize it, and the expansion of the air mass by heating AND humidifying cause the air to rise.