Cooling Water Systems

Cooling water systems are essential to many industrial and institutional facilities, but they can face serious performance and safety challenges when microorganisms build up in circulating water loops. CDG’s Solution 3000 can help address microbial problems in both chilled water loops and tower water loops, supporting safer and more efficient system operation.

How cooling water systems work

A typical industrial or institutional cooling water system includes two water loops and a refrigerant loop. In the chilled water loop, chilled water circulates through the building, process equipment, or any other apparatus which requires cooling. As the water absorbs heat, it returns to an evaporator. There, refrigerant is evaporated by the heat from the warmer chilled water.

The refrigerant is then compressed and condensed using cooler water returning from a cooling tower in the tower water loop. Because water circulates through both loops, microbial control is important throughout the system.

Common cooling water system problems caused by microorganisms

Microorganisms can create biofilm, slime, odors, corrosion, and operating inefficiencies in cooling water systems. Chlorine dioxide can help address several common issues, including:

• Odor and slime buildup caused by increased microorganism populations
• Reduced heat transfer in condensers and evaporators due to biofilm on the water side of heat exchangers
• Increased corrosion rates caused by electrochemical cell formation in biofilm
• Growth of sulfur-reducing bacteria (SRBs) and iron-reducing bacteria (IRBs)
• Reduced effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors when biofilm blocks contact between the inhibitor and metal surfaces
• Higher pumping energy requirements when biofilm obstructs pipes or increases friction in the system

Why biofilm control matters

Biofilm can affect both system performance and safety. In tower water loops, biofilm may contain Legionella, which can become aerosolized and potentially infect people at a distance from the cooling tower.

For that reason, controlling microorganism buildup is essential for the safe and efficient operation of both major water loops in a cooling water system. Chlorine dioxide is often an effective and economical treatment option for this purpose.

Different loops have different treatment needs

Chilled water loops and tower water loops have different biocidal requirements. Because every cooling system is different, treatment should be matched to the system design, operating conditions, and specific microbial control challenges.

Contact CDG

To learn more about chlorine dioxide use in cooling water systems, contact CDG today. CDG can help evaluate your cooling water system needs and discuss whether Solution 3000 is an appropriate treatment option.