Maintenance – SPX Cooling Technologies MARLEY CLASS F400 User Manual
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EXAMPLE:
7000 gpm circulating rate, 15° cooling range. To maintain 4
concentrations, the required blowdown is .38% or .0038 times 7000 GPM 
which is 26.6 gpm.
If tower is operated at 4 concentrations, circulating water will contain four 
times as much dissolved solid as the make-up water, providing none of the 
solids form scale or are otherwise removed from the system.
CHEMICAL TREATMENT
–In some cases chemical treatment of the cir-
culating water is not required if adequate blowdown is maintained. In most 
cases, however, chemical treatment is required to prevent scale formation and 
corrosion. Sulfuric acid or one of the polyphosphates is most generally used 
to control calcium carbonate scale. Various proprietary materials containing 
chromates, phosphates or other compounds are available for corrosion control. 
When water treatment chemicals are required, the services of reliable water 
treating companies should be obtained.
Slime, a gelatinous organic growth, and algae, a green moss, may grow in the 
cooling tower or heat exchangers. Their presence can interfere with cooling 
efficiencies. Proprietary compounds are available from water treating compa-
nies for the control of slime and/or algae; however, compounds which contain 
copper are not recommended. Chlorine and chlorine containing compounds 
are effective algaecides and slimicides. If used, chlorine should be added as 
intermittent (or shock) treatment only as frequently as needed to control the 
slime and algae. Chlorine and chlorine containing compounds should be added 
carefully since very high levels of chlorine may occur at or near the point of 
entry into the circulating water system.
FOAMING
–Heavy foaming sometimes occurs when a new tower is put into
operation. This type of foaming generally subsides after a relatively short pe-
riod of operation. Persistent foaming can be caused by the concentrations of 
certain combinations of dissolved solids or by contamination of the circulating 
water with foam-causing compounds. This type of foaming can sometimes be 
minimized by increasing the blowdown, but in some cases foam depressant 
chemicals must be added to the system. Foam depressants are available from 
a number of chemical companies.
maintenance
