Let's get to know the enemies of the cooling tower!

To understand the importance of cooling tower chemicals, we must first become familiar with the main enemies of these systems. Three destructive factors consistently threaten the health and efficiency of cooling towers:

Scale: The mineral salts present in water, when evaporated in the cooling tower, become concentrated and gradually form scale. These deposits act like a blanket and hinder heat transfer.
Corrosion: Water naturally has corrosive properties and can damage the metal body of the tower and its pipes. Corrosion leads to leaks, reduced efficiency, and ultimately complete system failure.
Microbial growth: The warm and humid environment of the cooling tower provides a suitable breeding ground for algae, fungi, and bacteria. These living organisms can block pipes and also endanger the health of personnel by releasing toxins.

How do cooling tower chemicals work?

Now that we are familiar with the enemies of the cooling tower, it is time to introduce the superheroes of this story, namely cooling tower chemicals . These substances prevent the aforementioned problems through various mechanisms:

Antiscalant:
This magical substance combines with the mineral salts present in water and prevents the formation of scale crystals. Antiscalant keeps the salts suspended as particles and prevents them from adhering to surfaces. This way, heat transfer occurs efficiently and pipe blockages are prevented.
Corrosion inhibitor:
This substance creates a protective layer on metal surfaces, preventing direct contact between water and metal. Corrosion inhibitors prevent metal oxidation and extend the lifespan of the cooling tower.
Biocide:
This chemical, with its antimicrobial properties, prevents the growth of algae, fungi, and bacteria in the cooling tower water. Biocides eliminate these living organisms, preventing pipe blockages and the release of toxins, thus ensuring the health of personnel.

Types of cooling tower chemicals:

Cooling tower chemicals are categorized into different groups based on their mode of action. Understanding the types of these substances helps in making the right choice and optimizing their use:

Phosphates: These are among the oldest antiscalants used and have relatively good performance. However, phosphates harm the environment, and their use is decreasing.
Phosphonates: These are a new generation of antiscalants that perform better than phosphates and are also more environmentally friendly.
Polymers: This category of chemicals acts as dispersants for scale. Polymers keep scale particles suspended and prevent them from adhering to surfaces.
Organic corrosion inhibitors: These substances prevent corrosion by creating a protective layer on metal. The mechanism of action of these substances depends on the type of inhibitor and the metal in question.
Inorganic corrosion inhibitors: These substances passivate the metal surface by chemically reacting with it, preventing its corrosion.
Oxidizing biocides: These substances eliminate microorganisms by releasing chlorine or other oxidizers.
Non-oxidizing biocides: These substances prevent the growth of microorganisms through various mechanisms, such as destroying the cell walls of microorganisms.

Proper selection and use of chemicals:

The proper selection and use of cooling tower chemicals play a vital role in maintaining the efficiency and health of these systems. To make the right choice, the following factors should be considered:

Type of cooling tower: Cooling towers come in various types, such as open circuit, closed circuit, and hybrid. Each type of cooling tower requires specific chemicals.
Water quality: The quality of the water entering the cooling tower affects the choice of type and dosage of chemicals.
Environmental conditions: Ambient temperature, humidity, and other environmental conditions play a role in selecting suitable chemicals.
Environmental considerations: Some cooling tower chemicals can harm the environment. Therefore, environmentally friendly chemicals should be used.

Key points in the use of chemicals:

Use of quality chemicals: Using substandard chemicals can damage the cooling tower.
Adhering to the proper dosage: Overuse of chemicals is not only unhelpful but can also be harmful.
Regular monitoring and control: The quality of the cooling tower water and the amount of chemicals present should be monitored regularly.
Use of appropriate equipment: Suitable equipment should be used for injecting chemicals into the cooling tower.

Side effects of cooling tower chemicals:

Some cooling tower chemicals may have side effects. These side effects include the following:

Environmental damage: Some chemicals can harm groundwater and other natural resources.
Health hazards: Some chemicals can be harmful to the health of personnel.
Corrosion of equipment: Some chemicals can damage cooling tower equipment.

Conclusion:

Cooling tower chemicals play a vital role in maintaining the efficiency and health of these systems. The proper selection and use of these substances, considering the type of cooling tower, water quality, environmental conditions, and environmental considerations, is of great importance. By using suitable chemicals and adhering to safety guidelines, problems caused by scale, corrosion, and microbial growth in cooling towers can be prevented.

Frequently Asked Questions

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