‘eblel. BfectaofBeapo or Five Gav om
(7 npn in nan er et
saveap Conlin Tower
Cereus mg ae ‘Ofice Plt
= = 1 aa 3
ABhalingy C0) eS) Ot)
M1 pss) st 645)
fo) steoeen
1% man oan
comoentrations of alkalinity, hardness, and calcium
than would be expected on the basi ofthe cycles of,
comcentration calculated Irom the ratio ofehloride in
he tower water to that in the makeup water. This
inclicated heavy calcium carbonate precipitation
‘winich was confirmed by the heavy ecale found in the
refrigerant condenser,
‘A.wery diferent picture was presented by the water in
‘the lange plant cooling tower located om a rot less
thean 100 feet away and, unfortunately, only 10 fet
fram the stubby plant stack. Serubbing ofthe stack
gases resulted in the absorption of enough eulfur
oxides to exceed the neutelaing capacity of the
allcaliity inthe makeup water. The excess wlfurie
ciel which formed drastically reduced the pH. The
‘cor rosiviy ofthe circulating water is obvious from the
excessively high ion content. The very high sulfate
forscentration also ‘caused. heavy ‘alcium sulfate
deposits,
Finally, changes inthe cooling water composition are
sonneetimes caused by leakage from higher pressure
process streams in heat exchangers. Here, too, the
water may become more corrosive or develop a greater
fouling tendency, depending upon the nature. of
‘contaminants
2, EFFECT OF WATER QUALITY,
‘A cooling tower is part of a carefully engineered he
exchange system. Any film oF deposit which forms on
the waterside heat exchange surfaces redices the heat
‘exchange efciency ofthe syvem. System reliability
‘an_be sharply reduced by maintenance shutdowns
required for removal of watemide deposits, replace
‘ment of circulation pump shaft seals abraded by
‘suspended particulates in the water, or repaits
required by waterside coroton failures: Corrosion of
system componente shortens the system life, as well
1s reducing operational reliability
‘The cooling tower operator sees these water caused
effects as symptoms—cooling capacity becomes ined
01
equate—cooling water Now decreases—leaks develop.
However, these same symptoms may als) develop,
from causes untelated to the cooling water. Insulating
deposits may form on the process side of Feat
exchangers. Thin plastic sheeting has boon know to
feniet a cooling tower and cut off water flow by
Dlanketing heat exchanger tube inlss, Leaking pansy
‘lands may reflect poor mechenical maintenance, So,
the fis step in eorsecting these stiations must bes