Maintaining Commercial Cooling Towers

Cooling towers are an essential part of the HVAC system in any commercial or high rise residential building. They help to control the building environment and ensure the efficiency of the building’s HVAC system.

Without regular and proper maintenance, a commercial cooling tower can start to cause some serious problems, particularly around air and water quality and energy consumption.

So, let’s find out a little more about what is required to maintain a cooling tower and why it’s important.

How do Cooling Towers Work?

The most common type of cooling tower is the ‘wet’ or ‘open’ tower, which you will find on most commercial high rise and industrial sites.

Cooling towers are used to remove heat from water that has been used for cooling purposes. The water is moved through the tower, and air is blown over the water to remove the heat. The cooled water is then recirculated back into the building to be used again. Cooling towers are an integral part of a building’s HVAC system and are essential for energy efficiency.

In many cases, the water that is released from the cooling tower is also used for irrigation purposes. As a result, cooling towers play an important role in both cooling buildings and conserving water.

Cooling Tower Maintenance

Cooling towers are a vital part of many industrial and commercial operations, providing a way to cool water used in everything from air conditioning to power generation. However, cooling towers can also be a source of contamination if they are not properly maintained.

Bacteria and other microorganisms can rapidly multiply in the warm, moist environment of a cooling tower, and these contaminants can then be spread to nearby buildings or individuals. In some cases, contaminated cooling tower water has been linked to outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease.

As a result, it is essential to perform regular maintenance on cooling towers in order to prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms. This includes tasks such as cleaning the tower, removing debris, and testing the water for contaminants. By taking these precautions, cooling tower owners can help protect the health of their employees, customers, and the general public.

Crucial Steps in Cooling Tower Maintenance

When it comes to cooling tower maintenance, the first thing to consider is safe access. Since cooling tower platforms are located on the rooftops of high-rise buildings, safe access and safety precautions while working are vital.

Access platforms and ladders need to be appropriately installed and certified before maintenance staff can commence any work. You should also ensure that all staff are trained at working at heights.

A few key steps when looking at cooling tower maintenance:

• Remove Scale Deposits

Cooling towers work largely through evaporation. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind mineral deposits known as scale. As these deposits build up it can affect the efficiency and performance of the cooling system, also potentially shortening the lifespan of the system. Ideally, scale deposits should be removed a couple times a year.

• Check Air Flow

Poor air flow can also affect the efficiency and performance of your cooling system. This could be the result of improper fan alignment, gearbox problems, sludge buildup on the basin floor and various other factors.

• Clean the Tubes

Over time, chiller tubes can become contaminated with mud, slime, algae and scale. Regularly cleaning the tubes will ensure that all contaminants are removed and the tubes are working efficiently. Using a biocide can be helpful in reducing algae and bacterial growth.

• Inspect the Water Pump

The water pump is essential for moving the water through the system. If the pump isn’t properly maintained it could be using excessive energy or operating under excess load. This can affect system efficiency and shorten the lifespan of the pump. Checks should include lubrication and fluid levels, motor bearings, water seal and alignment checks.

• Water Treatment

The water should be regularly tested and treated to prevent contamination and reduce scum and scale build up.

When cooling tower maintenance is neglected, both energy costs and repair and maintenance costs can skyrocket, not to mention the risk to the build occupants’ health and safety.