WATER impact

SKASOL
Commited To Effective Water Treatment & Reduced Operating Costs Since 1927

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Water is the driving force of all nature. Leonardo da Vinci

Issue # 1 MARCH 2012

inside

What happened in Vegas, didnt stay in Vegas!

nyone who frequents or vacations in Las Vegas knows something about taking chances. Odds are good however, that no one expects their good time to be a potentially deadly respiratory illness. Yet, recently in Las Vegas, NV a number of Legionnaires disease cases occurred. Legionnaires disease is a severe type of pneumonia caused by the bacterium legionella. What sets this infectious disease apart is that it is spread through legionella-contaminated water vapor or mist. A person who breathes in this mist or vapor is at risk at developing the disease, or the lesser flu-like illness Pontiac Fever. Legionnaires was first identified in 1976. Later that year, the disease and its cause were identified, as well as the realization that it was to blame for many previously misdiagnosed illnesses and deaths. The method of contamination was identified -- the hotels air conditioning system.

Legionnaires Disease
Legionnaires disease outbreaks often occur in large, public structures such as hotels and hospitals where intricate water and air conditioning systems are used, as well as in mist-producing areas

such as public hot tubs, pools or showers. Larger buildings more complex cooling and water-storage system creates a more favorable breeding ground for the bacteria. The bacteria and its resultant diseases are preventable through the use of proper methods for cleaning and disinfecting water systems and areas, yet

sadly, outbreaks are still occurring. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that Legionnaires results in death anywhere from 5%-30% of the time. Fatalities most commonly occur among the elderly or among those whose health is already compromised. As a result, when outbreaks do originate in hospitals, fatality rates significantly increase. The CDC reports that every year 8,000-18,000 people in the United States are hospitalized as a result of the illness. Sadly, however, Legionnaires disease is often undiagnosed, misdiagnosed or unreported, which can extend the length and severity of an outbreak. Therefore, maintaining the cooling tower regularly is essential or could prove deadly. Inadequate or poorly maintained cooling towers can cause Legionnaires disease. However, proper and monitored water treatment in industrial cooling towers can prevent the development of this disease.

Cooling Tower Fill Technology For Fouling

Scaling Resistance
>P2

SMARTER WATER WAYS

> P2

Minimizing your blowdown rate can substantially reduce energy losses, as the temperature of the blowndown liquid is the same as that of the steam generated in the boiler. It will also reduce makeup water and chemical

Q&A

WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF REDUCING THE BOILER BLOWDOWN RATE?

treatment costs. Insufficient blowdown may lead to carryover of boiler water into the steam, or the formation of deposits. Excessive blowdown will waste energy, water, and chemicals. The optimum blowdown rate is determined by various factors including the boiler type, operating pressure, water treatment, and quality of makeup water. Source: EERE Dept. of Energy

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2 WATER impact
Cooling Tower Fill Technology For Fouling

SKASOL

Scaling Resistance
Michael Monjoie The Analyst he fouling and the scaling of the fill in a cooling tower may have severe consequences, not only on the thermal performance of the cooling tower, but also on its structural integrity due to fill overloading. The design of the fill determines the thermal performance as well as the fouling/scaling resistance. Sloped flutes with corrugations film fill are the worst for fouling/scaling resistance, while smooth

surface, with or without holes, and vertical core of film fill, are favorable. The mesh type fill are often proposed

as a good compromise, but can be less effective than some film fills type. The splash type fill are the most adapted fill in case of high fouling/scaling risk. The correct selection of the fill must consider both the water quality as well as the water treatment program. This allows optimizing the overall cost of the cooling tower, including investment, operation and water treatment. The installation and monitoring of weighting facilities allows controlling the cooling/ scaling of the cooling tower.

WATER WORLD WATCH:

Notable Quotable
The old school of wastewater treatment considers water to be a vehicle for the routine transfer of waste from one place to another. It also considers the accompanying organic material to be of little or no value. The new school sees water as a dwindling, precious resource that need not be polluted with waste; organic materials are seen as resources that should be constructively recycled. Joseph Jenkins

SMARTER WATER WAYS

Companies Conserving Water Surprised By Savings

A survey conducted by research analyst Ethical Corporation in May 2010 found that 99 percent of corporate sustainability managers saw water becoming a top priority for businesses in the next 5 to 10 years. The report Unlocking the Profit in Water Savings found that 52 percent of sustainability managers ranked water stewardship within the top five most important issues they now deal with.
Source: Candice Lombardy For more information on these topics, visit our blog at: www.skasol.com

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