Final answer:
The correct term for airflow that is perpendicular to the falling water in a cooling tower is crossflow. This arrangement enhances the cooling process through increased evaporation, making it more efficient for large-scale cooling towers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The airflow that is perpendicular to the flow of falling water in a mechanical draft cooling tower is known as crossflow. In these systems, the air moves horizontally across the descending water, in contrast to counter-flow systems where the air moves directly opposite to the water flow. The crossflow design facilitates the transfer of heat through evaporation, allowing for efficient cooling even with large volumes of air, as evaporation is a more effective cooling method than simply heating the air by a moderate temperature increase.