Cooling towers are used to cool hot water by contacting it with air.
The air flow may be natural or mechanical.
In a forced draft cooling tower, fan forces air into the tower.
In an induced draft cooling tower, fan is placed near the outlet and draws air through the tower.
Induced draft arrangement gives better air distribution.
It reduces recirculation of moist outlet air.
It also provides more uniform contact between air and water.
Because of this, induced draft cooling towers are generally more efficient than forced draft and atmospheric towers.
Therefore, the most efficient cooling tower arrangement is:
\[
\text{Induced draft}
\]