Optimizing Cooling Tower Performance with Conductivity Controllers

April 17, 2023 0 Comments

Cooling towers are crucial components in many industrial processes. They are used to remove heat from various equipment and processes, and they rely on water as the cooling medium. However, the performance of cooling towers can be affected by several factors, such as scaling, corrosion, and microbiological growth. These issues can lead to reduced efficiency, increased maintenance costs, and even equipment failure. Fortunately, there are tools available to help optimize the performance of cooling towers, such as conductivity controllers.

In one case study, a cooling tower in a manufacturing facility was experiencing low performance due to scaling and microbiological growth. The tower was also consuming a high amount of water treatment chemicals, which was costly and environmentally unsustainable. To address these issues, the facility installed a Lakewood Instruments 1575e conductivity controller.

The Lakewood Instruments 1575e is a state-of-the-art controller that monitors and controls the conductivity of cooling tower water. It measures the conductivity of the water and uses this information to determine the level of water treatment chemicals required to maintain the water chemistry within the desired range. The controller also features an advanced algorithm that adjusts the chemical dosage based on the real-time water quality conditions.

After the installation of the Lakewood Instruments 1575e conductivity controller, the performance of the cooling tower improved significantly. The tower was able to operate at a higher cycles of concentration, which resulted in a reduction of water consumption by over 20%. The tower also experienced a reduction in the amount of water treatment chemicals required, which resulted in a cost savings of over $10,000 per year.

Moreover, the facility was able to reduce its environmental footprint by reducing the amount of water consumption and chemicals used in the cooling tower. The Lakewood Instruments 1575e controller allowed the facility to optimize the performance of the cooling tower while also reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

According to industry statistics, cooling towers that do not use conductivity controllers can experience up to 50% more blowdown compared to those with controllers. Blowdown is the process of removing a portion of the tower water to control the concentration of dissolved solids. High blowdown rates lead to increased water consumption and chemical usage, which can be costly and environmentally unsustainable.

In conclusion, the installation of a conductivity controller, such as the Lakewood Instruments 1575e, can greatly improve the performance of a cooling tower. The controller allows for the optimization of the water chemistry, which leads to a reduction in water consumption and chemical usage. This results in significant cost savings and environmental benefits, making it a worthwhile investment for any facility with a cooling tower.

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