Cooling towers are commonly found in manufacturing and power generation facilities. They use controlled evaporation and condensation to remove heat from buildings. With constant monitoring and proper servicing by water management specialists, you can maximize your system’s energy efficiency, saving time and money.

What Are Common Cooling Tower Problems?

1. Microbial Contamination

The hot, humid environment of cooling towers is conducive to bacteria and biofilm buildup on the components. Even a small amount of biofilm decreases your energy efficiency.

Water management specialists collect and analyze a water sample. Microbes are removed with a chlorine shock and system flush, then new water is added.

2. Corrosion

Many cooling tower components are metal. Since metals often corrode from exposure to moisture, unchecked systems can face corrosion and leaks. Cleaning your system frequently helps control the chemical balance between the metals of the system and its contents.

Applying epoxy coatings over metal parts makes them more resistant to corrosion. Additionally, orthophosphate can be added to water to raise the pH, making it less acidic and corrosive to metal pipes internally. There are serious potential risks to this process, so hire water management specialists to get the job done safely.

3. Fouling

Fouling is clogging from debris, dirt, or dust that blocks water distribution and air cooling. This decreases your cooling tower efficiency and increases your costs.

Use chlorine to clean your system. Change your filters and replace nozzles and hardware regularly.

4. Scaling

Minerals regularly build up and deposit themselves on cooling tower surfaces. These must be removed, or scaled, to allow proper heat exchange.

Polymer tube coatings are often added to prevent buildup because they are heat conductive but have poor surface area for minerals to attach to. Hire specialists to perform a safe and thorough cleaning and for custom tube coatings.

 

The experts at Western Environmental Management in Carlsbad, NM, test, service, and clean systems to maximize your water conservation and energy efficiency while minimizing your costs. They’ll audit your system and make specific product and maintenance suggestions to improve your water management process. Visit them online or call (575) 885-5709 for more information.