What you should know about: Cooling Towers
Solid contaminants in cooling towers reduce the tower's efficiencies. Deposits on heat transfer surfaces increase the fouling factor that significantly increases energy consumption. For a 5-10 percent increase in temperature you can expect to pay $2.5 k to $7 k in additional electrical cost each year. These same solid contaminants can clog spray nozzle orifices causing poor distribution through the fill. Cleaning and disinfecting cooling towers at least twice a year or annually can reduce failure to release heat transfer and fouling. Systems with heavy bio-fouling or high levels (>100 colony forming units per milliliter, CFU/mL) of Legionella may require additional cleaning.
Water temperatures ranging 20°-50°C (68°-122°F). make an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria (LDB) which can lead to Legionnaires' disease. Proper maintenance is necessary, both to control LDB growth and for effective operation of a Cooling Tower.
What you should know about: Cold Water Basins
The cold-water basin may determine the life of the cooling tower. A thick layer of solid contaminants in the cold-water basin reduces the benefit of chemicals, such as corrosion inhibitors or oxidizers, by restricting their flow from reaching the basin. Suspended solid contaminants may buffer the beneficial effects of treatment chemicals, requiring additional chemical treatment. Cooling Towers with a metal basin may need to be cleaned more often to prevent pitting and leakage from contaminants.
What you should know about Filtration
Filtration of the cooling tower water will minimize the need for manual cleaning and prevent solid contaminants from building up in the basin. By filtering 10% of the full stream, contaminates are reduced and the particle load condition stabilizes in a very short time. Filtering cooling tower water also prevents solid contaminant contribution to bacteria and algae growth, and minimizes the need for additional chemicals.