The winter thaw has most people thinking spring — and summer — and heat. At commercial buildings, healthcare facilities, and food production plants, facility managers are preparing to start up their cooling systems. Proper preparation in the preseason is critical to ensure system efficiency, sustainability, and most importantly, dependability, through peak demand periods in the warmest months.    

We’ve broken down the process into three key phases that will help you achieve deposit-free, corrosion-free heat transfer surfaces while reducing water, energy, and chemical costs.    

Mechanical Preparedness 

Inspect the cooling tower to determine any mechanical issues that need to be addressed before start-up. Take a close look at nozzles, fans, sump, and louvers, as well as the motor and housing and any related belt/gear systems. Some components may need to be replaced due to rust or corrosion, others may need to be adjusted for proper operation. Confirm pumps are fully functional, clean sensors, and test, validate, and calibrate all automation equipment. Inspect electrical connections, contactors, relays and operating controls. This also is the time to apply lubrication and change oil, per your system’s manufacturer recommendation.   

Cleanliness and Disinfection  

Whether an idle system sat drained, partially-drained, or full, cooling towers need a thorough cleaning to remove debris, deposits, and biofilm that may have collected or grown in pipes, pumps, heat exchangers, and fans. Now is the time to follow guidelines set forth by AWT, CTI, and ASHRAE to ensure you are in full compliance with procedures to prevent Legionella outbreaks. Focus on sanitizing with halogens and biodispersants, followed by 1 to 2 weeks of higher-than-normal microbiocide and dispersant feed to mitigate the risk of microbiological contamination bacteria. This will avoid slough when a flow is initiated and bacterial spread when the fans are turned on. Increased blowdown also helps clean out suspended solids and debris.   

Water Treatment Program 

Now it is time to make sure your water treatment program is set and ready to go. A water treatment plan involves the equipment and products (microbial or chemical) that you use to remove contaminants, protecting the integrity of the water and the entire cooling system. Chemically test the water for proper bleed rate and treatment levels, then report results and recommendations. Conduct a microbiological test, then slug feed biocide and antifoam to control it. Clean and calibrate sensors, verify all controller settings and functions, inspect water meters, and validate proper operation of the flow switch and bleed valve. Confirm all chemical pumps are primed and free of leaks and tubing is free of cracks.      

All Systems Go 

Proactive practices, including inspection, testing, reporting, and following recommendations, are going to extend the life of your equipment and enhance the quality of your overall water management program. Procedures can take time to learn and perfect, so your greatest variable is going to be operating personnel. Investing time to train new employees on equipment operation, water testing and adjustments, environmental health and safety, and inventory allows you to make a transition or expansion happen without compromising the system. There are many different ways to keep operating personnel up to date on technologies, approaches, and procedures: internal programs, association workshops, or free industry seminars like those offered at Watertech U.