Now that the cooling season is fully underway, your cooling towers are hard at work. Are you showing your cooling tower the TLC it needs to be running at its peak performance efficiently?
The Cooling Technology Institute made up a great power point presentation that is the basis for this post.
Maintenance and water treatment are the most important factors affecting the life and energy-efficient operation of evaporative cooling equipment. They are also the most neglected regimens of cooling tower operation, with cooling towers generally the most neglected component in the mechanical system. Why are these important steps often the most ignored?
- Most cooling equipment is remotely located and difficult to access. Limited maintenance resources such as staff, training, or budgets make it a problem. Staff does not realize its importance. Here are some basic maintenance practices for the varying types of cooling systems: If you are using a circulating water system, cleaning and flushing the system monthly is key. This prevents buildup of any solids in the system which can clog lines or make a breeding hot spot for bio-growth. You should also inspect and repair corrosion because the longer you wait; it just becomes a losing battle. Check all the seals because a leak can lead to huge losses of water and chemicals, racking up the bill.
- For Fan driven systems, make sure to keep the fan system in top operating condition. This means someone should be checking daily for any unusual vibrations or sounds, as this could mean there is a problem. The fan should be cleaned quarterly of heavy debris such as trash, bird droppings, or scale. Also check for loose tighteners, missing balance washers, structural integrity and repair or replace any corroded hardware. Making sure the motor is operating smoothly is also key. Check to see that the motor is lubricated properly and is being cooled so it does not over heat, which can cause serious damage. Routine maintenance of the motor will help to ensure it has a long, useful life.
Finally, make sure to keep up with a water treatment plan. Water treatment plans can be the difference in having to replace something or not. When air and water contents enter the tower, they can build up, creating possible problems. Microbes can form, producing bio-growth that is unwanted, or corrosion could occur, which means replacing the affected parts. Both can add up to an expensive fix compared to the cost to treat the water.
The most important thing to take away from this is that it is better to be proactive than reactive. So give your cooling system the TLC it needs and enjoy the cool love it gives back. To view this complete power point presentation, please click here and sign up to gain access to our technical library, filled with hundreds of useful documents!