MODULAR ADIABATIC COOLING APPARATUS AND RELATED INSTALLATION METHOD

Abstract

 A modular adiabatic cooling apparatus (10) comprises a lower module (11) and an upper module (21) which is provided with a ventilation device (20),wherein each of said modules (11, 21) comprises, pre-installed, a pair of heat exchangers (12, 13, 22, 23) disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing (14, 24), and a pair of adiabatic humidification panels (15, 16, 25, 26), each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger (12, 13, 22, 23), and reciprocal guide (31) and coupling (32) means disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces (19, 29) and have a non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other, and an operating configuration in which they are stacked one on top of the other.

Description

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

[0001] The present invention concerns a cooling apparatus, in particular of the adiabatic type, usable for cooling process fluids in industrial plants, in data processing centres, in air conditioning systems, or in general when it is necessary to cool or refrigerate a fluid. The cooling apparatus is of a modular type, and comprises respective modules that can be advantageously transported by road separately and assembled at the place of use in a simple and rapid manner. The invention also concerns a method for installing the cooling apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Cooling apparatuses used for cooling industrial processes are known, comprising a housing on opposite sides of which respective heat exchangers are positioned, in particular tube bundle coils, comprising a plurality of pipes in which a heat transfer fluid transits and a ventilation device positioned above the housing.

[0003] Externally to the heat exchangers, humidification means can also be disposed, for example comprising humidification panels or nozzles for spraying water which have the function of cooling the air before it comes into contact with the pipes of the heat exchangers so as to increase the cooling efficiency of the fluid transiting through them.

[0004] US2022/003502A1 describes a known cooling apparatus having a monolithic structure and comprising a pair of heat exchangers and humidification means each defined by two panels disposed one on top of the other, respectively fed by means of distributor devices connected to a common supply line.

[0005] The need to improve the performance of cooling apparatuses is increasingly felt and since the amount of heat exchange that they can implement depends on the extension of the heat exchange surfaces, in order to increase the overall efficiency it is necessary to increase their dimensions and therefore their footprints.

[0006] In addition, as the need to reduce occupancy on the ground is increasingly felt, it is necessary to significantly increase its height.

[0007] However, the increase in the volumes and footprints makes it difficult and expensive to transport the cooling apparatuses from the production plant to the installation site, as it is necessary to use exceptional transport with the limits and costs that they entail.

[0008] For this purpose, cooling apparatuses have been proposed in which the heat exchangers are positioned according to a "V" arrangement, which are made in modular form. This solution, however, even if it partially reduces transport costs, requires a lot of work at the place of installation both in terms of mechanical connections and in terms of hydraulic and electrical connections.

[0009] Solutions are also known that provide for separately transporting the components of the cooling apparatus, and in particular to separately transport the heat exchangers and any humidification means and assemble them together at the installation site.

[0010] These solutions, however, are impractical, since in order to proceed with the assembly of different components, long installation times are necessary and specialized and therefore expensive labour is required and, in addition, they still require various trips for the overall transport of the components of the cooling apparatus.

[0011] There is therefore the need to perfect a cooling apparatus that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0012] To do this, it is necessary to solve the technical problem of realizing a cooling apparatus whose parts can be pre-assembled and completed at the production site and then coupled and attached to each other at the installation site easily and quickly.

[0013] One purpose of the present invention is to realize a cooling apparatus that can be easily transported by road without requiring exceptional transports.

[0014] Another purpose of the present invention is to realize a cooling apparatus that has a footprint on the ground comparable to that of the cooling apparatuses of the prior art but has greater operational efficiency.

[0015] Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a method for installing a cooling apparatus that is fast and efficient.

[0016] Another purpose of the present invention is to develop a method for installing a cooling apparatus that does not require specialized labour for its installation.

[0017] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims describe other characteristics of the present invention or variants to the main inventive idea.

[0019] In accordance with the aforementioned purposes and to resolve the technical problem disclosed above in a new and original way, also achieving considerable advantages compared to the state of the prior art, a cooling apparatus according to the present invention comprises a lower module and an upper module, wherein each of the modules comprises a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in a vertical direction, on opposite sides of a housing and a pair of adiabatic humidification panels, each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger and a ventilation device associated with the upper module.

[0020] The two modules comprise reciprocal guide and coupling means disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces and have a first non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other and a second operating configuration in which they are disposed stacked one on top of the other, wherein said upper module is located resting on said lower module in correspondence with respective rest portions and said guide and coupling means are reciprocally engaged.

[0021] By doing so, at least the advantage of minimizing the costs necessary for transporting the cooling apparatus to the installation site, and at the same time of providing a cooling apparatus having overall footprints substantially double those of traditional cooling apparatuses without however increasing the occupancy on the ground is obtained.

[0022] In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the lower and upper modules comprise respective frame support structures which, in said operating configuration, are disposed in alignment one on top of another and the lower and upper surfaces of which define the rest portion.

[0023] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, said support structures are disposed internally with respect to the respective heat exchangers and comprise horizontal support elements and vertical support elements connected to said horizontal support elements by means of connection brackets, wherein the facing surfaces of the horizontal support elements of the two modules constitute said rest portions.

[0024] In accordance with embodiments, the coupling means comprise one or more locking brackets configured to cooperate with respective horizontal support elements to define a stable reciprocal connection therebetween.

[0025] According to embodiments, each heat exchanger of the upper module is associated with a respective lower shoulder element, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the bottom and each heat exchanger of the lower module is associated with a respective upper shoulder element, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the top.

[0026] Preferably, the lower shoulder element of the upper module and the upper shoulder element of the lower module are conformed in such a way as to be inserted one inside the other, thus defining the guide means.

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, the pre-assembled upper module integrates the ventilation device therein. This solution is very advantageous as it reduces the number of transport trips and installation times.

[0028] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the two upper and lower modules already comprise pre-installed respective electrical wiring suitable to be connected, in said operating configuration, by means of respective quick-connectors to provide the electrical power at least to the ventilation device.

[0029] According to embodiments, above each upper humidification panel there is disposed an upper distributor device, connectable to a water source by means of a hydraulic circuit, which is configured to receive water from a source and distribute it evenly along the underlying upper panel.

[0030] Advantageously, each of the two modules already comprises pre-installed respective upper and lower pipes suitable to define part of the hydraulic circuit. In the configuration of use, the two pipes are connected by means of a hydraulic connection joint, preferably of a flexible type.

[0031] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the upper humidification panel and the lower humidification panel are placed substantially in continuity with each other, although preferably not resting. In this way, the water leaked through the upper panel reaches the lower panel directly, also wetting the latter.

[0032] In accordance with a first variant of the present invention, a distribution panel, i.e. a panel made of absorbent and permeable material, is positioned between the upper panel and the lower panel and which is configured to receive the leaked water through the upper panel and distribute it in the longitudinal direction so as to uniform the humidification of the lower panel.

[0033] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there are provided both an upper distributor device and a lower distributor device, positioned respectively above each of the upper and lower panels.

[0034] According to embodiments, a water recovery tank can be provided below the upper panel and the lower distributor can be directly connected to this recovery tank.

[0035] According to embodiments, the upper and lower distributor devices can be connected to a common supply line, for example connectable to a water mains or to a collection tank of the leaked water through one or both of the upper and lower panel.

[0036] Embodiments described herein also refer to a method for installing a cooling apparatus, which provides to:

• transport a pre-assembled lower module to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing and a pair of humidification panels each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger;
• transport a pre-assembled upper module to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing and a pair of humidification panels each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger and a ventilation device;
• position the upper module above the lower module, engaging respective guide and coupling means with each other in order to align them correctly and place the upper module and the lower module resting in correspondence with respective rest portions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following disclosure of some embodiments, provided merely by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• fig. 1 is an exploded axonometric view of a cooling apparatus according to the present invention;
• fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the cooling apparatus of fig. 1 in a first non-operating configuration;
• fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the cooling apparatus of fig. 1 in a second operating configuration;
• fig. 4 is an enlarged detail of fig. 3;
• figs. 5-8 illustrate respective variants of the hydraulic circuit for supplying water to the humidification panels in a cooling apparatus according to the invention;
• fig. 9 is an axonometric view of a variant of cooling apparatus according to the invention.

[0038] We must clarify that in the present description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures in the attached drawings also as described, have the sole function of better illustrating and explaining the present invention, their function being to provide a non-limiting example of the invention itself, since the scope of protection is defined by the claims.

[0039] To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one embodiment can be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further clarifications.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0040] With reference to fig. 1, a cooling apparatus 10 for process fluids or data processing centres has a modular structure comprising at least a lower module 11 and an upper module 21, which have at least a first non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other (fig. 2) and a second operating configuration in which they are stacked one on top of the other (fig. 3).

[0041] The lower module 11 comprises two heat exchangers 12 and 13, disposed parallel in a vertical direction, on opposite lower sides of a housing 14 and a pair of humidification panels 15, 16, each disposed on an external side of one of the lower heat exchangers 12, 13.

[0042] The lower module 11 is provided at the bottom with a rest base 17 that closes the housing 14 at the bottom.

[0043] Such components are advantageously pre-assembled in a manufacturing plant, so that the lower module 11 can be transported in assembled form to the place where it is to be used.

[0044] The upper module 21 comprises two upper heat exchangers 22, 23, disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing 24 and a pair of humidification panels 25, 26, each disposed on an external side of one of the upper heat exchangers 22, 23.

[0045] Each heat exchanger 12, 13, 22, 23 is associated at one end with respective manifolds 30 of the fluid to be cooled and at the opposite end with respective earhooks completing the fluid path.

[0046] The humidification panels 15, 16, 25, 26 are made of absorbent and permeable material, for example cellulose-based.

[0047] According to preferred embodiments, the upper module 21 comprises a ventilation device 20, which is disposed on the top of the housing 24 in an intermediate position between the two heat exchangers 22, 23.

[0048] The pre-assembled upper module 21 preferably integrates the ventilation device 20 therein.

[0049] In particular, the ventilation device 20 can be integrated into an upper cover 27 of the upper module 21 and be pre-assembled together with the other components in the production plant.

[0050] Preferably, the two modules 11, 21 have respective dimensions of height H, width W and length L such that they can be transported on a truck without requiring exceptional transport. By way of example, the height H may be comprised between 2.8 and 3 m, the width L between 2.5 and 2.6 m, preferably about 2.55 m and the length L between 10 and 12 m.

[0051] According to embodiments, the lower module 11 and the upper module 21 comprise respective guide means 31 and reciprocal coupling means 32 disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces 19, 29.

[0052] In the second operating configuration the upper module 21 is located resting on the lower module 11 in correspondence with respective rest portions 33, 34 of the coupling means 32 and the guide means 31 are reciprocally engaged with each other.

[0053] In accordance with embodiments, the lower 11 and upper 21 modules comprise respective frame support structures 18, 28 which, in the operating device configuration, are disposed in alignment one on top of another and the lower and upper surfaces of which define the rest portions 33, 34.

[0054] Preferably the support structures 18, 28 having bearing function are disposed internally with respect to the respective heat exchangers 12, 13, 22, 23.

[0055] The support structure 18 of the lower module 11 comprises respective horizontal support elements 43, also called crosspieces, and vertical support elements 36, also called struts, which connect the horizontal support elements 43 to the rest base 17 or to any lower crosspieces (not illustrated) by means of respective brackets 37.

[0056] The horizontal support elements 43 may be connected so as to form an upper frame 35 that delimits the edge of the open end of the housing 14.

[0057] These vertical connection elements 36 cooperate with the internal sides 38 of the lower heat exchangers 12, 13.

[0058] In the lower module 11, the heat exchangers 12, 13 and the panels 15, 18 are supported on the rest base 17 by means of ground brackets, not illustrated.

[0059] The support structure 28 of the upper module 21 comprises respective horizontal support elements 44, or crosspieces, and vertical support elements 41, or struts, connected to the horizontal support elements 44 by means of respective brackets 37.

[0060] The horizontal support elements 44 can be connected to form a lower frame 39 that delimits the edge of the lower open end of the housing 24, and respectively a top frame 40 disposed in correspondence with the opposite end.

[0061] These vertical connection elements 41 cooperate with the internal lateral sides 42 of the upper heat exchangers 22, 23.

[0062] The top frame 40 may be connected to the upper cover 27.

[0063] In the upper module 21, the heat exchangers 22, 23 are attached to the horizontal support members 44, while the panels 25, 26 are attached to the sides 42 of the heat exchangers 22, 23 and to reinforcement brackets 49.

[0064] The surfaces respectively facing the horizontal support elements 43, 44 on the respective connection faces 19, 29 of the two modules 11, 21 define the rest portions 33, 34.

[0065] In accordance with embodiments, the coupling means 32 comprise one or more locking brackets 45 (fig. 4) configured to cooperate at least with the horizontal support elements 43, 44 which are respectively facing to define a stable reciprocally connection between them.

[0066] The brackets 45 can have a "U" shape in such a way as to be positioned astride the horizontal support elements 43, 44 superimposed and attached to each of them by means of attachment means 46, preferably of a removable type such as screws, bolts, pins or the like.

[0067] According to embodiments, in the operating configuration the upper module 21 and the lower module 11 rest substantially only in correspondence with the rest portions 33, 34 of the frames 35, 39, while between the respective heat exchangers 12, 13, 22, 23 and the panels 15, 16, 25, 26 there is a gap.

[0068] According to embodiments, each upper heat exchanger 22, 23 is associated with a respective lower shoulder element 47, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the bottom, and each lower heat exchanger 12, 13 is associated with a respective upper shoulder element 48, configured to delimit the heat exchanger at the top.

[0069] Preferably, the lower shoulder element 47 and the upper shoulder element 48 are conformed in such a way as to be inserted one inside the other, thus defining the guide means 31.

[0070] According to embodiments, at the support structures 18, 28, preferably on the horizontal connection elements 43, 44 disposed in correspondence with the respective upper faces of the two modules 11, 21, respective hooking and lifting elements, for example eyebolts, or the like, not illustrated, can be connected, by means of which the two modules 11, 21 can be lifted by means of a crane to be positioned respectively on a means of transport or on the installation site.

[0071] The two upper 21 and lower 11 modules comprise respective electrical wiring 50, 51 suitable to be connected, in use, by means of respective quick-connectors 52 to provide the electrical power to at least one motor of the ventilation device 20.

[0072] The apparatus 10 further comprises a hydraulic circuit 54 connectable, in use, by means of a connection line, to a water source 55, for example a water mains or a collection tank, and configured to supply water to the panels 15, 16, 25, 26.

[0073] According to embodiments, the hydraulic circuit 54 comprises at least one upper distributor device 56 disposed above each upper panel 25, 26.

[0074] The upper distributor device 56 can comprise a plurality of nozzles, or a pipe provided with a plurality of holes distributed in the longitudinal direction, or possibly a distributor panel, not illustrated, through which the water coming from the water source 55 can be uniformly distributed on the panel 25, 26 in the longitudinal direction.

[0075] Advantageously, each of the two modules 11, 21 already comprises pre-installed respective lower 57 and upper 58 pipes suitable to define at least part of the hydraulic circuit 54.

[0076] The upper pipe 58 is connected by means of respective conduits 60 to each upper distributor device 56.

[0077] In the operating configuration the two pipes 57, 58 are connected by means of a hydraulic connection joint 59, preferably of a flexible type. The lower pipe 57, in use, is connected to the water source 55.

[0078] Figs. 5-8 illustrate some embodiment variants of the hydraulic circuit 54.

[0079] According to a first embodiment illustrated in fig. 5, for each pair of superimposed panels 15, 25, 16, 26 there is provided only one distributor device 56 disposed above each upper panel 25, 26.

[0080] According to this embodiment, the upper panel 25, 26 and the lower panel 15, 16 are placed substantially in continuity with each other, although preferably not resting. In use, the water leaks through the upper panel 25, 26 and subsequently also through the lower panel 15, 16, to then possibly be collected in a tank 61 and circulated again by means of a pump 62 through the hydraulic circuit 54 toward the upper distributor device 56.

[0081] In accordance with a second embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, between the upper panel 25, 26 and the lower panel 15, 16 a distribution panel 63 is positioned, i.e. a panel made of absorbent and permeable material, configured to receive the water leaked through the upper panel 25, 26 and distribute it in the longitudinal direction so as to uniform the humidification of the underlying lower panel 15, 16.

[0082] Also in this variant for each pair of superimposed panels there are provided only respective upper distributor devices 56 disposed above the upper panels 25, 26 while the lower panels 15, 16 receive water from the overlying panels.

[0083] According to a third embodiment illustrated in fig. 7, the hydraulic circuit 54 comprises both an upper distributor device 56 positioned above each upper panel 25, 26, and a lower distributor device 64 disposed above each lower panel 15, 16.

[0084] Each upper distributor device 56 is connected to the water source 55, while each lower distributor device 64 is connected to a water collection tank 65 positioned below the upper panel 25, 26 and configured to collect water leaked through it.

[0085] Thus, while each upper distributor device 56 receives water from the water source 55, each lower distributor device 64 receives water that is leaked through the upper panel 25, 26.

[0086] According to a fourth embodiment illustrated in fig. 8, for each pair of superimposed panels, the hydraulic circuit 54 comprises both a distributor device 56 and a lower distributor device 64, each of which is connected to the water source 55.

[0087] According to such embodiment, each lower 57 and upper 58 pipe is connected by means of respective conduits 60 to each lower 64 and respectively upper 56 distributor device.

[0088] Below each lower 15, 16 and/or upper panel 25, 26 a respective water collection tank 61, 65 can be provided, which can be connected to a common tank, not illustrated, from which the water can be circulated again through the hydraulic circuit 54.

[0089] The two distributor devices 56 can be associated with respective pumps 62 or other feed means, in such a way as to be controlled independently of each other.

[0090] Fig. 9 illustrates an embodiment variant of an apparatus 10 comprising a plurality of lower modules 11, in this case three, and respective upper modules 21 superimposed thereon. In this way it is possible to create cooling apparatuses 10 having the required dimensions from time to time.

[0091] Embodiments described herein also refer to a method for installing a cooling apparatus 10, which provides to:

• transport a pre-assembled lower module 11 to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers 12, 13 disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing 14 and a pair of humidification panels 15, 16 each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger 12, 13;
• transport a pre-assembled upper module 21 to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers 22, 23 disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing 24 and a pair of humidification panels 25, 26 each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger 22, 23 and a ventilation device 20;
• position the upper module 21 above the lower module 11, engaging respective guide 31 and coupling 32 means with each other in order to align them correctly and place the upper module 21 resting on the lower module 11 in correspondence with respective rest portions 33, 34.

[0092] The method provides in particular for aligning and engaging with each other respective lower 47 and upper 48 shoulder elements provided on the upper 21 and lower 11 module that act as guide means 31, positioning in contact respective transverse elements 43, 44 of the support structures 18, 28 of the two modules 11, 21 and connecting them to each other, preferably by means of brackets 45 and removable attachment means 46.

[0093] According to embodiments, the method provides for reciprocally connecting the electrical wiring 50, 51 of the two modules 11, 21 by means of quick-type connectors 52.

[0094] The method also provides for connecting the lower 57 and upper 58 pipes together by means of a hydraulic connection joint 57 that can be advantageously screwed to both ends, and possibly connect the hydraulic circuit 54 to a water source 55.

[0095] It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the cooling apparatus 10 and the installation method as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention, as defined by the claims.

[0096] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve other equivalent forms of a cooling apparatus 10 and installation methods, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

[0097] In the following claims, the sole purpose of the references in brackets is to facilitate their reading and they must not be considered as restrictive factors with regard to the field of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. Modular adiabatic cooling apparatus (10) comprising a lower module (11) and an upper module (21) which is provided with a ventilation device (20), characterized in that each of said modules (11, 21) comprises, pre-installed, a pair of heat exchangers (12, 13, 22, 23) disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing (14, 24), and a pair of adiabatic humidification panels (15, 16, 25, 26), each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger (12, 13, 22, 23), wherein said modules (11, 21) comprise reciprocal guide (31) and coupling (32) means disposed in correspondence with respective connection faces (19, 29) and have a non-operating configuration in which they are separated from each other, and an operating configuration in which they are disposed stacked one on top of the other and in which said upper module (21) is located resting on said lower module (11) in correspondence with respective rest portions (33, 34) and said guide (31) and coupling (32) means are reciprocally engaged.

2. Apparatus (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that said modules (11, 21) comprise respective support structures (18, 28) which, in said operating configuration, are disposed in alignment one on top of another and the lower and upper surfaces of which define said rest portion (33, 34).

3. Apparatus (10) as in claim 2, characterized in that said modules (11, 21) comprise respective support structures (18, 28) disposed internally with respect to the respective heat exchangers (12, 13, 22, 23) and comprise horizontal support elements (43, 44) and vertical support elements (36, 41) connected to said horizontal support elements (43, 44) by means of connection brackets (37), wherein the lower and upper surfaces of said facing horizontal support elements (43, 44) constitute said rest portions (33, 34).

4. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said guide means (31) are defined respectively by a lower shoulder element (47) associated with each heat exchanger (22, 23) of said upper module (21), and by an upper shoulder element (48) associated with a respective heat exchanger (12, 13) of said lower module (11), the shoulder elements (47, 48) being conformed in such a way as to be inserted one inside the other.

5. Apparatus (10) as in one or the other of the previous claims, characterized in that said modules (11, 21) comprise, pre-installed, respective electrical wiring (50, 51), which, in said operating configuration, are connected by means of respective connectors (52).

6. Apparatus (10) as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises an upper distributor device (56) disposed above each upper panel (25, 26) and in that each of said modules (11, 21) already comprises pre-installed respective lower and upper pipes (57, 58) suitable to define at least part of a hydraulic circuit (54) suitable to supply water at least to said upper distributor device (56), wherein said pipes (57, 58), in said operating configuration, are connected by means of a hydraulic connection joint (59).

7. Apparatus (10) as in claim 6, characterized in that between each of said upper panels (25, 26) and the respective underlying lower panel (15, 16) a distribution panel (63) to distribute the water in a longitudinal direction is positioned.

8. Apparatus (10) as in claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a lower distributor device (64) disposed above each lower panel (15, 16), wherein said upper distributor device (56) is connected by means of said hydraulic circuit (54) to a water source (55) and said lower distributor device (64) is connected to a water collection tank (65) positioned below the respective upper panel (25, 26).

9. Apparatus (10) as in claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a lower distributor device (64) disposed above each lower panel (15, 16), wherein said upper distributor devices (56) and said lower distributor devices (64) are connected to a water source (55).

10. Method for installing a cooling apparatus (10), which provides to:

- transport a pre-assembled lower module (11) to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers (12, 13) disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing (14) and a pair of humidification panels (15, 16) each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger (12, 13);

- transport a pre-assembled upper module (21) to the installation site, which comprises a pair of heat exchangers (22, 23) disposed parallel in a vertical direction on opposite sides of a housing (24) and a pair of humidification panels (25, 26) each disposed on an external side of a heat exchanger (22, 23) and a ventilation device (20);

- position said upper module (21) above said lower module (11), engaging respective guide (31) and coupling (32) means with each other in order to align them correctly and place said upper module (21) resting on said lower module (11) in correspondence with respective rest portions (33, 34).

Drawing