Cooling towers must be cleaned just like any other misting device in order to prevent the spread of bacteria and diseases. They should also be cleaned to increase equipment life and lower costs, among other reasons.
The residential and commercial building industry has witnessed significant growth in recent years and is expected to continue expanding. Given revelatory statistics, let’s examine the importance of cooling tower cleaning and exactly how this process unfolds.
What Are Cooling Towers?
A cooling tower is a special type of heat exchanger that permits air and water to enter into contact with one another so that the temperature of the hot water can be reduced through a process called evaporation.. Small amounts of water evaporate throughout this process. Common types of cooling towers include crossflow cooling towers, counterflow towers, induced draft towers, forced draft towers, factory-assembled towers, and field-erected towers. Air and water flow in different directions for each of these towers. Many cooling towers often contain PVC plastic sheets or other similar materials that form large surface areas to help the water evaporation process.
Most types of our industries cooling towers are made of galvanized or stainless steel, and this material is expected to be the most utilized in the coming years. Cooling towers can also be made of concrete, wood, and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), a composite material made of a polymer matrix. The fibers that reinforce this material are generally carbon, glass, basalt, or aramid. Paper, asbestos, and wood are less commonly utilized fibers.
How Are Cooling Towers Cleaned?
Specialty cleaning companies with special cleaning tools can be helpful for thoroughly cleaning cooling towers and HVAC systems rather than use of traditional labor and pressure washers. You should also spray a foaming detergent (like Rydlyme) on the tower in order to eliminate tough deposits and utilize biocide products, such as chlorine or bromine (must be handled by a certified applicator), in the water post-basin cleaning to stop the growth of bacteria. Routine inspections are also recommended for open systems.
Additionally, be sure to use a specialized vacuum to remove sludge from the basin without draining it. Safety gear such as eye and respiratory protection is also recommended so as to prevent infection from Legionnaires’ disease bacteria (LBD). Legionnaires’ disease is essentially a severe form of pneumonia, which means the lungs can become inflamed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration dictates that water vapor in a cooling tower can remain within the ideal temperature range (20-50°C or 68-122°F) for LBD to proliferate. Strainer and other heat exchange equipment should be also routinely cleaned, after cooling tower cleaning, to impede the buildup of sediment, mud, slime, scale, and algae. You can always seek advice and keep a checklist to verify that all parts of a cooling tower have been extensively cleaned.
What Is The Importance of Cleaning Cooling Towers?
Contaminated water can impact chiller operating efficiency and raise energy costs, which are typically large and at fixed amounts. Cooling towers should also be regularly cleaned due to bacteria they contain that can pose environmental concerns. This cleaning process will also reduce capital costs, repairs, and emergency maintenance. Finally, it’s always commendable to clean in consideration of one’s neighbors. Facilities next to yours could claim that their equipment is suffering because you have failed to take proper care of your own.
Reach Out to a Professional Cooling Tower Cleaning Company
Speak to the experts at Tower Water to learn more about the importance of cleaning your cooling tower. Founded in 1992, we have since grown from a two-person business to a 50 + specialty organization dedicated to providing top-quality water treatment solutions, as well as construction and renovation. We also work with Legionella Compliance Solutions for 3rd part validation that we are keeping facilities safe and that best practices are being utilized.
We always comply with state and local laws and regulations, including those mandated by both the New York City and New York State Departments of Health, and we are committed to fully addressing our clients’ unique needs and concerns. Our clients include the Major office and residential buildings, data centers, hotels, sporting arenas, medical and education, as well as light industrial facilities.
Call Tower Water today at (212) 518-6475 or contact us online for more information about our services. You won’t find a more reliable water solutions company in the greater New York area.