Cooling tower overflow is a subtle, yet costly problem which often goes unnoticed. The challenge is more pronounced during colder weather when heat rejection and evaporation requirements tend to be lower. The primary purpose of the cooling tower is to reduce water consumption. Overflow obviously defeats this purpose by robbing those savings. The problem can easily be prevented by conducting simple water chemistry tests, which should demonstrate that towers are cycling at or near desired set points. When detected values are below set points, send someone to the cooling tower to investigate. Often the corrective measure is a simple float or water level adjustment. Ask your Metro representative to forward Technical Bulletin 2009-1 entitled “Water Conservation” which offers a 12-point checklist to support this important goal.
Written by:
John D. Caloritis, CWT
Technology Director
The Metro Group, Inc.
John is Chair of the AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Cooling Water Committee and a Member of the Association’s Legionella Task Force.
