Cooling Tower Water Treatment
Watercare Solutions is the UK's Dependable Water Treatment Company
WaterCare has over 30 years of experience providing HVAC and industrial cooling tower water treatment. Water treatment in cooling towers is essential for creating a safe, efficient and cost-effective system. By preventing scale, corrosion and biological fouling, we save facilities managers and operators £1,000s otherwise wasted on energy, chemical and maintenance costs.
30 Years of Experience
Our Team of Professionals
West Midlands Based
High Quality Work
Why cooling tower systems need water treatment
Water treatment is used to ensure compliance with HSG274 part 1 by preventing scale, corrosion and microbiological growth as well as providing legionella control. Cooling towers must be maintained to keep running costs low and sustain high cooling efficiency. Unplanned downtime and reduced plant productivity affect business and cause headaches for any facility manager.
Cooling water treatment is effective at minimising:
Effective treatment programmes also ensure safety and compliance with environmental and water conservation measures. Any treatment programme must ensure safety and compliance to HSG274 part 1 and A.C.O.P L8 rev 4.
How Cooling Towers & Evaporative Condensing Systems Work
A cooling tower system takes hot water, cools it down and then exports it back into the system for reuse. This process is called evaporative cooling.
Hot water is distributed to form a large surface area. As the water falls towards the bottom of the cooling tower, it cools, resulting in hot, moist air rising out of the system.
Cooling efficiency is further improved by the air being forced or induced in the opposite direction.
There are different types of systems for different applications, and thanks to our expertise, we’re able to adapt our cooling tower water treatment services to a range of setups:
- Once-through cooling water system: These can be located near rivers or coastlines. Only one complete cycle of the cooling mechanism is completed before the water is released.
- Open recirculating cooling water systems: In an open-circuit cooling tower, air is circulated through the fill pack while the water that needs to be cooled is spread over it. This lowers the temperature of the remaining circulating water by causing a tiny amount of evaporation. The cooled water is collected at the base of the cooling tower and recirculated to the rest of the system, and the warm, humid air is discharged into the atmosphere.
- Evaporative condensers: An evaporative condenser cools water in the same manner as a cooling tower, however, in a condenser the cooling water is recirculated over a closed circuit tube bundle. The tube may contain water, ammonia or other refrigerants which don't come into direct contact with the cooling water.
- Hybrid systems: Some cooling water systems contain both a fill pack, as found in an open recirculating cooling water system, as well as a tube bundle, as used in evaporative condensers.
Water treatment is used to ensure compliance with HSG274 part 1 by preventing scale, corrosion and microbiological growth as well as providing legionella control. Cooling towers and evaporative condensers must be maintained to maintain legionella and bacterial control, keep running costs low and sustain high cooling efficiency. Unplanned downtime and reduced plant productivity affect business and cause headaches for any facility manager.
How Cooling Tower Water Treatment Works
There are a few key steps in cooling tower treatment processes that we can help with:
Treat the makeup water
Makeup water is obtained straight from an outside source, such as reclaimed wastewater from manufacturing facilities, borehole water from rivers or wells or even municipal water. It is essential to treat the water before it’s used to replenish evaporated water in the system. Hardness and suspended solids are typically eliminated during treatment, and the pH is stabilised.
Filtration
Filtration is a great treatment for cooling towers as it is effective at removing sediment, turbidity, and other organic matter. Certain filtration options enable particles under one micron to be removed and acts as protection of the ion exchange from fouling in pre-treatment.
Chemical addition
Balancing the water’s properties with the use of chemicals can save you greatly in other costs further down the line. Ensuring your pre-treatment processes are effective can, in turn, reduce your chemical usage at this stage.
Side-stream filtration
Any particulates that make it through can be removed by side-stream filtration. These filters operate constantly in small increments, allowing for an increase in water and energy efficiency, with less water discharge and scale development.
Blowdown treatment
Recirculating systems help to post-treat water using ion exchange or reverse osmosis before it is sent back to the tower to be used again. Systems that release water into sewage lines must adhere to rules established by their water supplier.
Common water problems that cause cooling Tower inefficiencies
Sludge and Grime: Cooling towers draw in dirty air, filled with particulates which mix with water to form sludge and grime, giving a home to bacteria and increasing chemical use.
Microbiological Deposits: Bacteria and algae deposits block water movement and can even weigh down and break components. Along with sludge and grime, they cause some of the most common issues.
Scale Deposits: Scale impacts heat transfer and the efficiency of your tower. It forms when concentrations of a dissolved substance become greater than the solubility of the water. The biggest culprits are:
- Calcium sulphate
- Calcium phosphate
- Other calcium salts
Corrosion: Corrosion occurs when metal encounters oxygen and moisture. Systems with recirculating cooling water are more prone to corrosion and rust, reducing the effectiveness of cooling surfaces and releasing harmful debris.
Foam: Water flowing in the cooling towers can cause foam to form. If this isn't controlled properly, it may escape the tower and penetrate the atmosphere, causing harm to the tower’s exterior. Foam also causes more sediments and bacterial fouling.
Common Elements Controlled with Effective Treatment
Professional cooling tower water treatment will help control a range of substances and elements found within your system water:
Alkalinity
The alkalinity of the water is measured by titration with a standard acid solution.
Chlorides
A corrosive ion that may be limited, depending on the system metallurgy. Chloride levels can also be applied to measure concentration factors and may indicate a malfunctioning water softener where fitted.
Hardness
Contributes to scale in the cooling tower and heat exchanges.
Iron
Soluble iron in the flowing water can advance the growth of legionella in the system.
Organic matter
Encourages microorganism growth, leading to fouling, collisions, and other system issues.
Silica
Causes hard-scale deposits, which are more difficult to remove safely than calcium and magnesium scale.
Sulphates
Corrosive to metals, like chlorides.
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
Total dissolved solids contribute to scaling, foaming, and corrosion.
Total Suspended Solids (TSS)
Total suspended solids are contaminants that are undissolved in the system and can cause biofilms, corrosion, and scaling.
Benefits of Cooling Tower Water Treatment
Regular and effective water treatment for your cooling towers has a range of benefits, including:
- Reduced water consumption: Water remains usable and holds concentrations for longer.
- Lower energy bills: A cleaner, more efficient system uses less energy to operate and reduces costs.
- Smaller chemical usage: Effective particulate removal minimises your reliance on chemicals.
- Minimised maintenance requirements: Innovative filtration attachments increase service intervals and reduce downtime.
- Bacterial growth is controlled: Regular checks and treatment help you stay on top of bacterial growth, including harmful legionella.
Why Choose WaterCare For Your Cooling Tower Water Treatment Services
WaterCare Solutions is a West Midlands-based water treatment company with over 30 years of experience. Our team is dedicated to helping commercial and industrial sectors keep their water systems healthy and guarantee your cooling towers will run as efficiently as possible while also assisting you in fulfilling your responsibility to manage Legionella.
Our team is fully professional and qualified to carry out the water hygiene treatment you require.
Our Testimonials
We are a company specialising in water audits and leak detection and we are often asked about Legionella and Risk Assessments by our client. Having met and assessed WaterCare Solutions we were happy to put them forward to a client managing a large industrial estate, who was unaware as to their level of non-compliance in respect of the A.C.O.P L8 (Rev4) & HSG274 Part 2.
Following a risk assessment of the unoccupied units and a very successful training session, the client is now compliant and understands their responsibilities. We have furthered our relationship with the client and are pleased to recommend WaterCare Solutions whenever we get an enquiry.
As a buyer I need to be confident that when I place an order with a service provider it delivers both value for money and great service. Having used Mark for 30 years now, and never been let down, it was an easy decision to support him at WaterCare Solutions. They continue to deliver, providing peace of mind that our water systems are in great hands.
Mark and now WaterCare Solutions have looked after our water tube boilers for most of their 34 years life and despite them having a predicted 25-year lifespan they are still going strong. A fitting testimony to the great water treatment they have received over the years.
With our pre-treatment plant and ultra-pure turbine water injection system also in safe hands you need look no further for a complete chemical and service package for your plant.
Highly recommend.
Switching water treatment companies was not a decision we made lightly, however, I am pleased to say Mark and the team at WaterCare Solutions exceeded our expectations. Not only was the transition seamless but we now realise we should have made the move much sooner. We finally have the confidence that our water systems are fully compliant. Don’t be afraid to change and don’t put up with second rate, there are quality companies out there and WaterCare Solutions are one of them.
Looking forward to a long successful partnership.
We were looking for a new equipment package for our cooling tower, but after having look at several manufacturers online we were confused as to what to go with. WaterCare Solutions discussed the pros and cons of several different options and costs with us and feel we now have the best fit for our process. A great install and commissioning too; unit is working well and we could not be more pleased.
Cooling Tower Water Treatment FAQs
What is cooling tower water treatment?
Cooling tower water treatment involves implementing specific processes to treat the water in a cooling tower to prevent scale, corrosion, and biological growth. It typically involves treating makeup water, filtration, chemical dosing, side-stream filtration, and blowdown management to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant operation.
Why is cooling tower water treatment necessary?
Treatment is essential to maintain safe and efficient system operation. Untreated water can cause scale, corrosion, microbiological fouling, and legionella growth, leading to reduced cooling performance, higher maintenance costs, and potential regulatory non-compliance.
What benefits does proper cooling tower water treatment provide?
Proper water treatment reduces water and chemical usage, lowers energy bills, minimizes maintenance needs, improves system safety, and helps maintain compliance with health and safety regulations.
What are the risks if cooling tower water is not properly treated?
Without treatment, cooling towers are prone to scale deposits, sludge, grime, microbiological growth, corrosion, and foam. These issues can reduce efficiency, damage equipment, increase energy use, and create health and safety risks.
How does proper water treatment improve energy efficiency?
By preventing scale and corrosion on heat transfer surfaces, treated water ensures optimal heat exchange. This reduces the energy required to cool water and keeps the system running efficiently.
Does water treatment help extend the life of cooling tower equipment?
Yes. By controlling corrosion, scale, and fouling, water treatment protects pipes, pumps, and tower components, reducing wear and tear and extending the operational lifespan of the system.
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