Your cooling system plays a big role in the overall quality of your building’s interior spaces, as well as the longevity of your infrastructure. When a cooling tower and its attached cooling tower water filtration systems is not properly cared for, you could be faced not only with unexpected or premature repair and replacement costs but also higher utility bills and a greater cost to operate the tower overall.
One of the simplest and most effective means of improving the efficiency of your cooling tower and water system is to add filtration. Filtration needs will vary for each individual business, but this type of regular maintenance has a number of demonstrable benefits.
How Filtration Works
Filtration comes in many forms, and the right type of filtration for your facility will be based upon a wide range of factors that include how much water you use, how much needs to be filtered at one time, what the water composition in your area looks like and more. In general, however, filtration uses bags, mesh or other tools to capture particles of a certain size.
This size is customizable based on what is in your water, with some filters going into less than 1 micron in capture ability. This means that particles that are 1 micron or larger will be captured by the filter. Some types of filtration systems will use gradual filter series to slowly progress toward smaller and smaller micron sizes over a set distance to reduce the strain at the first filtration point.
Reduces Fouling
One of the primary benefits of water filtration systems for your cooling tower is the ability to reduce or even prevent fouling. When your filters are capturing these suspended solids, they are not proceeding on through your system until they become lodged in places that they do not belong.
Without a filter, these particles will create build up over time that fouls your equipment and causes it to stop working properly—or at least as efficiently as it could. Filtration keeps your system running smoothly without the need for repairs or replacement parts.
Inhibits Microbial Growth
As an added benefit of water filtration in your cooling tower system, microorganisms will also find it more difficult to thrive. Some of the particulates that your filter captures will be organic material, on which microorganisms feed or seek a place to populate.
By removing these from the system, you are making it significantly harder for these microbes to thrive; not only will this do its own part in preventing fouling due to issues such as algae, but it will also help to keep you in compliance with Legionella regulations.
Halts Scaling And Corrosion
When microbes and particulates in the water are allowed to pass through the system unchecked, they can begin to accumulate on the inner surfaces of your machinery. Over time, they will produce unwanted results, such as scale buildup or corrosion. By using cooling tower water filtration, you can keep your machinery clean and smooth without these issues.
This will keep your repair and maintenance bill down, but in the case of cooling towers specifically, it will also improve efficiency. When scale buildup sits on the walls of your heat exchange unit, it must work harder to transfer heat through scaled walls that are thicker than intended. This means that your unit will be drawing more power to do the same task. Over time, this increases your utility bills and can wear out your system prematurely.
The Result: Improved Efficiency and Lower Cost
Water filtration is important for more than just potable sources. By installing water filtration systems for your cooling tower, you can avert unneeded repairs caused by fouling and other preventable situations, and you may even see a dramatic reduction in your overall utility bills by cutting down on problematic and energy intensive issues such as scaling and corrosion.
While filters do need to be cleaned or changed from time to time, advances in technology have made this more seamless than ever, and many systems even allow you to monitor their condition remotely so that you are never taken by surprise.
Trust The Experts For Your Cooling Tower Water Filtration Systems
Whether you are looking to maintain the quality of your water for your cooling tower but are not sure how or you would like to start the process of discovering which type of filtration would work best at your facility, you do not need to do all of the diagnostics on your own. Tower Water sets the standard in water treatment and would be happy to help you explore your options. Reach out to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
