Compare different types of cooling towers used in industrial applications.

Cooling towers dissipate heat through water evaporation. Natural draft towers use buoyancy-driven airflow in large hyperbolic structures, common in power plants with low operating costs but high capital investment. Mechanical draft towers use fans - induced draft (fan at top) provides uniform air distribution, while forced draft (fan at bottom) is easier to maintain. Crossflow designs have horizontal airflow, while counterflow has vertical, offering better thermal performance. Selection depends on capacity, space, noise requirements, and water quality.