| The design and operation
of open cooling systems can vary significantly due to a number of
site-specific factors, such as makeup water quality and availability,
changes in seasonal conditions, and environmental concerns. But
all cooling system owners and operators share a common objective:
reliable and cost-effective system performance. The presentations
in this session use real-world experience to illustrate how certain
site-specific factors can be addressed to assure desired system
performance.
Session Chair: Chris Brew; P.E., Gainesville Regional
Utilities, Gainesville, FL
Discussion Leader: Michael S. Dalton, Ashland Water
Technologies, Katy, TX
IWC Representative: Wayne C. Micheletti, Inc.,
Wayne C. Micheletti, Inc., Charlottesville, VA
Benefits of Soft Water Makeup for Cooling Tower Operation
William Harfst, Harfst and Associates, Inc., Crystal Lake,
IL
Traditionally, cooling towers used in HVAC or process applications
utilize raw water as the makeup source. Soft water is rarely recommended
because it is generally considered to be more “corrosive”
than untreated, hard water. This paper presents new information
that suggests soft water offers several benefits over hard water
in many cooling water applications. Specific data is presented from
field applications in support of these claims.
Discusser: James G. Kanuth, ChemTreat,
Inc., League City, TX
Calcium Hypochlorite versus Bromine in Cooling Water Treatment
Stanley Pickens; Ph.D., PPG Industries, Inc., Monroeville,
PA
Calcium hypochlorite tablet feed systems offer an alternative
option for cooling tower operators. Such tablet-erosion feed systems
are recently being used even on some large industrial towers. The
solid tablet form of the product offers safety and environmental
and transport/storage advantages over liquid or gaseous halogen
formulations. Hypochlorite tablets also have potential advantages
versus bromine tablets in terms of cost, dissolve rates, impact
on corrosion inhibitors and formation of disinfection by-products.
Evidence shows that hypochlorite can be an effective sanitizer even
in the pH 8-9 range, contrary to common misperceptions.
Discusser: Farah Azarnia, Albemarle Corp.,
Baton Rouge, LA
Cooling Tower Retrofit to a Once-Through Cooled Unit
Bruce A. Larkin; P.E., Black & Veatch, Overland Park,
KS; and Susan Cinelli, The Board of Public Utilities, Kansas
City, KS
The once-through water supply to the Board of Public Utilities’(BPU’s)
Nearman Creek Plant has become less reliable because of drought
and changing river hydraulic conditions. This paper describes the
early indications of reliability issues and the emergency steps
taken to keep the unit operable. Solutions were studied and implemented.
Implementation included permitting, design, procurement, installation,
startup, and (the happy ending) operation of a retrofitted cooling
tower. The plant now has the ability to operate either in a once-through
mode when river conditions allow or with the cooling tower.
Discusser: James W. Cuchens; P.E., Southern
Company Services, Inc, Birmingham, AL
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