Cooling Towers help transfer heat from comfort cooling equipment and industrial processes to the atmosphere by harnessing the power of evaporative cooling. They are highly efficient as a heat rejection device, but the process of introducing unfiltered air to falling water means a cooling tower is also a massive air scrubber that collects dust, pollen, and other particulate from the air. This is in addition to the calcium and other mineral deposits that naturally form on tower fill.
Fill that is clogged by dust, pollen and hard minerals significantly degrades cooling efficiency by reducing a tower’s heat dissipation area and increasing its energy consumption. Dirty/fouled fill can provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, such as Legionella, to flourish – and in worse case scenarios, may lead to a partial collapse of your tower.
Your fill is going to get dirty – it is unavoidable – and will happen relatively quickly. However, a solid preventative maintenance routine and diligent water treatment can prevent fouling at a problematic level. The key is being able to discern between normal scale buildup and fill that is clogged/ fouled and needs professional attention. The attached video from SPX’s Mitch Case will help you identify where your fill falls in this range.
Do you need cooling tower parts, service, or inspections? Are you considering refurbishing your cooling system or replacing it all together – or maybe you just want to talk to someone about advancements in cooling technology, system efficiency and current industry standards?
If so, give us a call at 908-541-1010 or click on the (contact us) link at the bottom of the page. Our sales engineers are ready to answer your questions and discuss your needs.