The Often-Overlooked Key to Cooling Tower Efficiency: Proper Filtration
When it comes to maintaining cooling tower systems, one critical aspect is often overlooked: proper filtration. Cooling towers, whether designed with an induced or forced draft, are unintentionally excellent air scrubbers. While that may sound like a benefit, it often creates challenges for facility operators.
As air is drawn into the cooling tower, so is everything floating in it—dust, dirt, debris, insects, and one particularly challenging nemesis: cottonwood. During spring and summer, cottonwood fluff can clog up cooling systems faster than you might expect. All this unwanted material collects in the cooling tower basin and, if left unchecked, can wreak havoc on your system.
The issue isn’t just cosmetic or related to housekeeping. If debris isn’t removed, it inevitably finds its way to critical components, particularly the heat exchangers. Once these components get fouled, efficiency plummets, energy costs soar, and equipment lifespan is reduced.
Why Filtration Matters
Filtration is a vital part of both cooling tower operation and an effective water treatment program. Proper filtration helps to:
- Prevent Fouling: By removing debris before it can settle in heat exchangers or other key areas.
- Improve Efficiency: Clean systems transfer heat more effectively, reducing energy consumption.
- Extend Equipment Life: Keeping debris out of critical components reduces wear and tear over time.
- Support Water Treatment: By keeping the system cleaner, filtration enhances the effectiveness of chemical treatments and reduces scaling or corrosion risks.
Filtration Methods: What Are Your Options?
There are several filtration methods available, each with its own advantages depending on the application. Common options include:
- Cartridge or Bag Filters: Best suited for smaller systems or low debris loads.
- Media Filters: Ideal for handling moderate to heavy debris loads with a consistent filtration rate.
- Automatic Backwashing Filters: Excellent for larger systems that require continuous filtration without manual intervention.
Filtration can also be designed as side-stream or full-flow:
Side-Stream Filtration treats a percentage of the circulating water and is great for maintaining system cleanliness over time. To read more about some different side stream filtration options and their advantages and disadvantages go to
SIDE STREAM FILTRATION.
Full-Flow Filtration filters 100% of the water as it circulates, providing immediate debris removal but often at a higher initial cost.
The ROI of Proper Filtration
While adding or upgrading filtration might feel like an extra expense, the return on investment is clear. By keeping debris out of your system, you’ll:
- Lower energy costs by improving system efficiency.
- Reduce unplanned downtime and expensive emergency repairs.
- Extend the life of your equipment.
- Make your water treatment program more effective, potentially saving on chemical costs.
Taking a proactive approach to cooling tower filtration can save you time, money, and stress in the long run.
The Path Forward
The specific filtration system you choose will depend on your cooling tower’s design, debris load, and operational goals. Each method comes with its own pros and cons. What’s critical to remember is this: Proper filtration is not optional.
If you want to avoid costly repairs, maximize efficiency, and extend the life of your cooling tower system, investing in a reliable filtration solution is a must.
If you would like help deciding which filtration method might be a good match for your facility, request a site survey and one of our technical engineers will be in touch.
Jeff Bodendorfer
Territory Manager
Jeff has been with Watertech of America for 11 years providing industrial water treatment solutions for boiler, cooling and wastewater applications. Jeff frequently leads educational training events and seminars to promote better water management and improve safety. He holds a BA in Business Administration from UW-Whitewater where he served as President of the Whitewater Water Council.