Industrial Chemistry and Water Treatment

Cooling Water Treatment

Water is used extensively as a highly efficient coolant in many commercial, manufacturing and industrial process activities where cooling is required.  The water treatment of cooling towers is an integral part of process operations in many industries, with the possibility of productivity and product quality being adversely affected by scale, corrosion, fouling and microbiological contamination. In general, a basic cooling tower water treatment system typically includes some type of:

1. Clarification

2. Filtration and/or ultrafiltration

3. Ion exchange/softening

4. Chemical feed

5. Automated monitoring

Cooling towers are used widely due to their optimal cooling technology for industrial processes and HVAC applications. Water shortages combined with increased water usage have combined to decrease the availability and increase the cost of high quality makeup water for cooling tower systems. The accumulation of microbiological slimes, biofilm and general bio-fouling in cooling water systems reduces system efficiency, increases operating and maintenance costs, and raises risks to safety and health. The detrimental impact of metallic corrosion can be a significant issue that affects the operation and maintenance of open and closed cooling water systems.