Require Chemical Treatment

Operating an air-to-water cooling tower is a hazardous business that must be well-managed in order to obviate problems with both the equipment and the local populace. The bacterium legionella pneumophilia is a particular hazard that must be adequately managed.

As the tower evaporates water to achieve cooling, the level of dissolved solids will rise to a point where it must be blown down and clean make-up water added. With the blow-down stream will go the treatment chemicals that have been added to maintain the cooling water loop, so these must be topped up.

Maintaining a pH in the alkaline region is necessary to prevent corrosion in some piping and equipment, particularly equipment that is manufactured of iron and steels. If these metals are in contact with dissimilar metals then detailed attention to piping systems and the electrical isolation of these metalsare necessary to prevent erosion by electrolysis and the contamination of the loop with dissolved matter.

The chilled water will also require some form of treatment so as to prevent clogging and corrosion. The regime will be different to that of the cooling water loop.

Each of these regimes is particular to the chemistry of the water that is being used, and there is far too little information to recommend a solution. Indeed, a one-size-fits-all solution probably does not exist.

There are dozens of reputable specialist suppliers that can carry out water analysis and supply both treatment chemicals and technical assistance on a maintenance contract basis. An internet search will reveal their telephone numbers, and the next step is to make some calls and get the local representatives to attend site to make recommendations and supply quotations.

Consider shutting off the equipment and draining it until a robust treatment regime is in place.