Industries utilize cooling towers to maintain heat transfer surfaces and enable process heat removal and product throughput. In commercial or building applications, cooling towers are utilized for comfort cooling.
Water from cooling tower applications attract and absorbs airborne contaminants on a continuous basis, contributing to the excessive creation of deposits (scale, corrosion, fouling and biological activity). These deposits lead to a reduction in heat transfer efficiencies and increased operating and maintenance costs.
What’s In Your Cooling Tower Water?
Legionella Bacteria
Legionella (the cause of legionnaires disease) is a type of bacteria found in freshwater environments. Once legionella finds a way into an enclosed environment, such as a building’s cooling tower system, it can multiply and spread throughout the building’s water system. Looking to prevent the growth of Legionella in your facility? Learn more about the ASHRAE Legionella standard 188-2018 or preview our Legionella webinar with Dr. Janet E. Stout, Legionella expert.
Fouling
Fouling is a general term referring to the deposit and accumulation of scale, algae, suspended solids, and insoluble salts on a surface (commonly found on heat exchangers and process equipment). Like scale, fouling will also cause rapid declines in heat exchanger efficiency levels, reducing your HVAC system's performance.
Scale
Hard water contains dissolved compounds of calcium, magnesium, and other elements. Over time these elements deposit on various surfaces and form a hardened layer referred to as scale. The layer of scale grows in thickness and reduces the effective transmittance of heat from the heat exchangers, ultimately reducing your HVAC system's efficiency.
Did You Know?
How We Can Help
To ensure efficient operation and long life, Evoqua offers a broad selection of solutions to remove suspended solids and control biological growth in the recirculating water stream which can:
- Improve system efficiency
- Minimize annual cleanings
- Maximize chemical program effectiveness
- Support effective microbiological control
- Reduce overall cost of operation
