There is no advantage in exceeding a depth of 1 metre, since the increase in the mass of water in the circuit has only a negligible influence on the cooling. The surface area only is important. The area of the pond is important on account of the necessity of arranging the nozzles so that the curtains of water formed by them do not overlap or interfere with each other, and so that air may circulate between the sprays. The area of the pond is deduced from the quantity of water which it can treat per hour per unit area of the pond. 0.5m Nozzles are mounted on pipes called laterals at right angles to the main pump delivery line.
Laterals decrease in size towards the end.
Practical Considerations A spray pond should be long and narrow to improve the efficiency at the centre, but cost might be prohibitive. All laterals should be provided with quick acting flushing valves at their ends, easily accessible. Pump suctions should be adequately protected from blockage by tank, bagasse and other flotsam. Easy access for cleaning screens must be provided. The arrangement of nozzles may not always conform to a star pattern as cost will be an important consideration but efficiency might suffer.