Every time I see those towers (in a movie, draw or picture) I instantly recognize it as a nuclear power station. But I’ve never asked why…
Why such a big and specific shaped tower? Is it something exclusive for nuclear power? Do all nuclear stations need those towers, or is it optional? Why that shape? What’s inside?
In: Engineering
Basically, the shape is strong / materially efficient (comparable to an archway), and it’s good for airflow (because it permits the air to slow down as it escapes the tube, resulting in less turbulence).
Anywhere that needs to discard ample heat could use this tower design (some coal plants do), but there are other options to cool a nuke plant (ideally a large, flowing body of water).
The inside is… usually empty. It’s filled with warm, rising air (and optionally: water vapor). Maybe a fan sonewhere in there. The bottom contains heat exchangers/radiators (and usually: fans and/or sprays of water).
wiki for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cooling_tower#Air_flow_generation_methods
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