COOLING TOWER MAINTENANCE

　Cooling towers must be strictly maintained for several reasons.

Cooling tower maintenance: Keeping the cooling tower running correctly is vital to overall operations. For example, correct cooling tower maintenance can prevent airborne diseases. Preventing Legionella in cooling towers is a vital part of protecting the health and safety of employees and visitors in the building or buildings in which the cooling tower operates. Cooling towers are used in a variety of industries and come in a number of configurations. Their required maintenance therefore depends on the type of application for which they have been built.

A dirty cooling tower can affect how the system runs and it can also endanger the health of the people who work, visit or live in the vicinity of a building in which a cooling tower is used. Cooling tower maintenance starts with a visual inspection to see if the moving parts and housings are in need of cleaning. Once it has been determined that these areas need to be repaired and cleaned or are in working order, there are five recommended steps to follow to ensure proper cooling tower maintenance, in addition to your cooling tower manufacturer guidelines. The cooling tower maintenance service takes care of these steps.

　　1. Remove Scale Deposits

　　Because cooling towers work using evaporation, there is a build-up of scale deposits, which has to be removed regularly. These deposits are caused by the minerals in the water and can vary in severity according to the minerals that are present in the water you are using. Limescale, for example, can build up and decrease both the efficiency and performance of your system. When left unchecked, it can even lead to the premature deterioration of your system. Hamon will help you descale your system a few times per year for optimal results.

　　2. Keep Air Flow Running

　　System breakdowns are often caused by poor fan performance. Loose parts, improper fan alignment and lack of gearbox maintenance can all result in poor air flow and air that is not sufficiently cooled. Latino will check for sludge build-up on the basin floor of your cooling tower, as it could be blocking air flow. Using a tower vacuum, we can remove the contaminants and help you restore proper air flow to your cooling tower. You can also choose to add a biocide to reduce algae and bacterial growth in the cooling tower.

　　3. Keep the Tubes Clean

　　Chiller tubes can become contaminated with mud, slime, algae and scale. This can lead to partially or totally clogged tubes. Your water quality and rate of build-up will determine how often you need to clean your tubes. All units experience build-up, and Latino can help you decide on the maintenance schedule which works best for your company. Cleaning tubes regularly is the most efficient way to remove debris. Chiller tubes play a vital role in overall cooling tower maintenance.

　　4. Inspect Your Water Pump

　　You can save on your monthly energy bills by making the pumping process as efficient as possible. Your pump is essential for moving water back and forth, and a well-maintained one goes a long way towards an optimized and better-performing system. Increase your unit’s life span by having a professional from Latino inspect your water pump regularly. Part of the service may include the lubrication of the pump, motor bearings and the water seal. Alignment checks are also included.

　　5. Treat Your Water

　　Water quality is an important part of maintaining the efficiency of your cooling tower. Quality problems can lead to scum and scale build-up. Test and treat your water to prevent premature system issues. Water treatment is a worthwhile investment, as it will help keep your system running at peak performance levels. Cooling tower maintenance also makes water treatment more effective.