Cooling towers are key equipment in any industrial process. Their proper functioning has a direct impact on production capacity and the plant’s own energy costs. Although towers in industry are robust equipment and in reality often do not receive the necessary maintenance, this maintenance is critical.
That is why at Torraval Cooling we offer cleaning and maintenance services for cooling towers. When we talk about cleaning cooling towers we refer to two fundamental elements in any tower: the distribution system and the fill.
Cleaning the distribution system
Hot water enters the tower and is distributed through a network of open channels, flows through these channels and is sprayed by nozzles which make the water fall like rain over the fill surface — the surface where air and water exchange, and where the cooling itself occurs.
Why is cleaning this element of the tower so important?
In industry the distribution system tends to clog. Clogging of the distribution system in a cooling tower refers to the blockage of the ducts or channels and of the nozzles that distribute the water, which:
- reduces the flow of water intended to exchange with air and reduces cooling efficiency.
- can also cause water to overflow the channels, water that would no longer fall evenly through the nozzles.
This buildup occurs due to contaminants in the water, dirt and dust from the environment, or salts and microorganisms, which must be addressed with continuous maintenance.
What happens when the distribution system is not cleaned?
Nozzle plates get clogged and the nozzles end up breaking. Once they are broken they no longer distribute water in a homogeneous, rain-like form. When broken, the water falls in jets with full force onto the fill. The force of the water jet breaks the fill, which is the lung or heart of the evaporative cooling system.
To maintain optimal cooling capacity the flow of air and water must be homogeneous and as large as possible. The greater the contact between these two elements, the greater the cooling capacity.
Cleaning the fill
The fill is one of the most critical parts of the tower, since it is the surface where water and air exchange, and a small portion of that water evaporates, cooling the rest of the flow. Over time it accumulates dirt and encrustations that reduce the space available for thermal exchange. That is why it is essential to keep it clean so as not to reduce the exchange space and thus cooling capacity.
Benefits of hiring a specialized company for cleaning and maintenance
Entrusting the maintenance of cooling towers to a specialized company like Torraval Cooling offers many advantages:
- Energy efficiency: clean equipment uses less electricity and water.
- Protection of the investment: longer life for the installation.
A clean cooling tower is synonymous with efficacy, safety, and savings. At Torraval Cooling we have the experience and resources needed to guarantee comprehensive and personalized maintenance, adapted to each type of installation.