Upstream evaporative condenser: Air flows horizontally through the coil, while spray water flows downward; the air and water flow at right angles to each other, with the refrigerant moving downward and both gas and liquid falling together.

merit ：

With low air resistance, the fan consumes less electricity as air flows horizontally through the coil with an open airflow channel, resulting in minimal pressure loss and reduced operational energy consumption.

The design features a simple structure and easy maintenance: side air intake, layered configuration (top and bottom), allowing access for inspection from both the water tank and coil sides; buildup and sediment removal as well as packing replacement are all straightforward operations.

There is minimal water accumulation at the bottom, ensuring smooth drainage; in northern regions during winter, emptying is more convenient with reduced heating load.

With lower operating noise, this low-pressure high-flow fan delivers stable airflow and minimal noise levels, making it ideal for applications near residential areas or office buildings.

The spray system is less prone to clogging due to its laterally arranged water distribution pipes, which prevents impurities from accumulating and blocking nozzles; it also offers greater durability in facilities with average water quality.

shortcoming ：

The heat transfer efficiency is relatively low, with a high condensation temperature and co-current flow of gas and water resulting in an extremely small temperature difference at the heat exchanger outlet, leading to poor ultimate cooling capacity. Under identical operating conditions, the condensation temperature is 3–6°C higher than that in counter-current flow configurations, accompanied by increased compressor energy consumption.

The high water consumption requires greater spray flow rates to enhance heat transfer, resulting in increased pump flow rates and water replenishment demands, making it uneconomical in water-scarce regions.

High-temperature conditions cause severe performance degradation: when the wet-bulb temperature exceeds 26°C during summer, condensing pressure rises sharply, triggering high-pressure alarms in the unit and resulting in a significant decline in cooling capacity.

The equipment occupies more space for the same thermal load, has greater overall dimensions (width and length), and incurs higher land costs.

• Prioritize counter-current flow configurations: suitable for cold storage facilities with humid and rainy climates, poor water quality prone to scaling, stringent noise control requirements, or ample site space.