Improving Cooling Tower Energy and Efficiency

Apr 5, 2017 | Air Conditioning

A cooling tower is a special unit that allows air and water come into contact with each other to lower the temperature of hot water. Small volumes of water evaporates, lowering the temperature of the water that is being circulated throughout the unit. The purpose of the cooling tower is to cool down water that gets heated up by other industrial equipment.

Depending on the type of cooling tower you are operating, your specific water treatment requirements may be different. In general there are three areas of the cooling tower process that require attention. Feeding water to the cooling tower, circulatory in the tower, and the blowdown from the tower.

Knowing these processes in the cooling tower can help you understand what you can do to keep your unit running efficiently and effectively. Below are even more tips to save energy on your cooling tower system.

Check the ratio of conductivity of blowdown and make-up water. Work with your cooling tower water specialist to maximize the cycles of concentration. Many systems operate at two to four cycles of concentration. It is also possible to have six cycles in a concentration. Increasing the amount of cycles reduces cooling tower make-up water by 20% and cooling tower blowdown by 50%.

Cooling towers are designed to meet cold water requirements on the hottest days of the year. So, on most days that only need the fraction of the power they have. Installing a variable frequency drive (VFD) can regulate and reduce fan energy used to set cold water temperature that optimizes the process.

And regularly evaluate your system heat transfer efficiency and update your maintenance program to keep the system components clean and fully functioning.

For your commercial buildings in Kansas, call B & C Mechanical Services. We are here to keep your building and occupants comfortable all year long.

B & C Mechanical is proud to offer commercial heating and cooling services to residents in Kansas and Missouri. In Kansas, our service ares include Olathe, Overland Park, Leawood, Lenexa, Prairie Village, Shawnee, Merriam, Mission, Kansas City, Roeland Park, and surrounding communities. In Missouri, our service areas include Blue Springs, Gladstone, Grandview, Independence, Lees Summit, Liberty, North Kansas City, Raytown, South Kansas City, and surrounding communities. Call us now at 913-681-0088 or request service online.