Today, for any industrial facility or commercial building, the #1 priority is to ensure maximum cooling tower efficiency. The buildings sector, which also includes HVAC cooling towers, accounts for about 76% of electricity use and 40% of all U. S. primary energy use and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In other words, both industrial facilities and commercial buildings need highly efficient cooling towers. Efficient cooling towers save energy, reduce costs, and provide reliable performance. That’s where cooling tower water treatment comes in. It is at the heart of achieving this energy efficiency.
Let’s learn more about water treatment for cooling towers.
Basics of Cooling Tower Water Treatment
Water treatment for cooling towers involves maintaining excellent water quality. It keeps the water clean and functional, which reduces the risk of common cooling tower repair issues. That, in turn, helps your cooling tower run smoothly.
It can address issues like:
- 1. Scaling: Water is necessary for heat exchange. However, when the water quality isn’t good, it can lead to hard mineral deposits or scaling on the surfaces of the cooling tower. These deposits can reduce the energy efficiency of your cooling tower. This causes your system to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. And you end up with expensive energy bills.
- 2. Corrosion: Corrosion starts when water comes in contact with metal parts. Over time, it can lead to rust and decay, which weaken your cooling tower. Corroded parts are more likely to leak and lead to catastrophic failures.
- 3. Biological Growth: Cooling towers are a breeding ground for bacteria, algae, and other microbes. This biological growth leads to biofouling, which can clog your tower. It can increase the risk of health issues, including Legionella, which leads to Legionnaires’ disease – a serious type of pneumonia.
The good news is that effective cooling tower water treatment can help prevent all three problems. Plus, it keeps your cooling tower running for years without any major breakdown.
Benefits of Effective Water Treatment
Effective water treatment leads to three key benefits:
Increased Efficiency and Performance: Regular cooling tower water treatment prevents scaling and biofouling. It keeps your cooling tower working at its peak. Properly treated water offers excellent heat exchange, which boosts cooling efficiency. That means lower energy bills.
Extended Lifespan: Proper water treatment prevents corrosion and scaling. It helps extend the life of your cooling tower. You can use the right cooling tower water treatment chemicals to protect your equipment from damage. It means fewer replacements and more savings.
No Costly Downtimes and Repairs:Regular water treatment lowers the risk of breakdowns. An unexpected breakdown is not just frustrating but also expensive. It can easily set you back by thousands. But with effective cooling tower water treatment, you need not worry about these costly disruptions.
Key Water Treatment Techniques
Experts worldwide use different techniques for cooling tower water treatment. As experts in cooling tower maintenance, we recommend using one or more of the following techniques.
- 1. Blowdown: Blowdown removes a portion of the water. This helps reduce mineral concentration, which might lead to scaling and fouling. The process involves periodically blowing a controlled percentage of water from your cooling tower system. This simple step can drastically boost your cooling tower’s energy efficiency. However, you need to schedule blowdowns depending on the usage. The thumb rule is that the more the usage, the higher the blowdown frequency.
- 2. Side Stream Filtration: Side stream filtration continuously filters a part of the water. It removes suspended solids, which helps in reducing fouling and scaling. It involves diverting a portion of the cooling water through a filtration system. The filters prevent suspended solids from circulating back into the cooling tower. Side stream filtration makes your tower more efficient and increases the lifespan of your equipment.
- 3. Ultrafiltration: This process takes side stream filtration a step further. It uses a series of filters with advanced membranes to remove smaller contaminants like bacteria and other microbes. It’s a critical step in cooling tower water treatment. It helps prevent scaling, fouling, and biological growth, which protects everyone from potential health risks.
- 4. Corrosion Control: This cooling tower water treatment involves adding inhibitors to the water. These inhibitors form a protective layer on metal surfaces. It protects metal parts from rust and decay. Many experts, including Pinnacle Cooling Tower Service , provide a customized corrosion control program. It depends on the existing corrosion, your cooling tower usage, and water quality.
- 5. Chemical Treatments: Controlling water pH is a critical task. It relies on various cooling tower chemical treatments. These treatments include adding scaling inhibitors, pH adjusters, and corrosion inhibitors to the water. With water chemistry balanced, your tower is ready to work at its best. These treatments also help in controlling biological growth.
- 6. Biocides: Biocides kill harmful microbes and prevent biofouling. These are chemicals used to control bacteria, algae, and fungi that thrive in your cooling tower. This cooling tower water treatment is particularly effective in eliminating the threat of harmful bacteria like Legionella. However, you must use biocides as a part of your routine cooling tower maintenance.
Quick Tips for Monitoring Water Quality
If you want your cooling tower water treatment system to work, you will need to monitor the water quality. It is the backbone of effective water treatment.
Here are some tips:
- 1. Regular Testing: First, test water quality regularly. Look for changes in pH, mineral content, and microbial presence. These often indicate a need for immediate water treatment.
- 2. Monitor Corrosion Rates: Second, monitor the rate of corrosion. You can use corrosion coupons or electronic monitors to track these levels. Fix any issues immediately with a suitable cooling tower water treatment.
- 3. Check Scaling Potential: Third, check scaling levels. The Langelier Saturation Index is used worldwide to check scaling potential. While low LSI indicates your water is corrosive, high LSI shows its scale-forming.
- 4. Maintain Proper Blowdown: Fourth, adjust your blowdown rates based on water quality and usage. If the water quality in your area is poor or your usage is higher, you will need more frequent blowdowns to control mineral buildup.
If you feel out of depth, you should consult a cooling tower cleaning expert . They can help you create a water treatment and maintenance plan tailored to your needs.
Start Your Cooling Tower Water Treatment Today
Water treatment is more critical for cooling tower efficiency than you think. It prevents scaling, corrosion, and biological growth and keeps your system running smoothly. Regular monitoring and proper treatment extend the lifespan of your equipment. For best performance, you should regularly check the water quality. Be sure your water treatment techniques are up to date.
Need help with your cooling tower water treatment? We are here to help. Contact us now to schedule your free inspection!