Cooling Tower Disinfection

With rising ambient temperatures, the operations of evaporating cooling systems such as cooling towers or wet separators in many industrial production facilities and power plants are also ramped up again. The water conditioning to run the cooling towers is the core part of an efficient and trouble-free cooling tower circuit.

 

Highly effective biocide for cooling tower disinfection


How a cooling tower works

Cooling towers are based on the evaporative cooling principle. The hot cooling water from the water circuit of the cooling tower trickles from above onto so-called cooling fins and is blown by a fan. As a result, part of the water evaporates while the remaining part is cooled and fed back into the cycle. Also fresh water is fed back into the water cycle according to the evaporation rate. In addition to chemical treatment with corrosion inhibitors and dispersants to prevent mineral salts to precipitate, biocides are the third important pillar for a safe, hygienic and professional operation of an evaporative cooling tower.

When contaminants pose a health risk

Due to the warm and humid conditions, slime-forming bacteria and fungi meet optimal conditions to grow on heat transfer surfaces such as heat exchangers, cooling tower fins as well as in the pipelines of the circuit. This leads to a significant reduction of the efficiency and energy transfer of the entire cooling system. Pathogenic germs such as legionella or pseudomonads lead to the formation of biofilms and are eventually contained in the evaporated water that is released into the atmosphere. Insanitary operations conditions therefore pose a severe risk to the health of employees and the general public.

Critical microorganisms: Legionella

Evaporated aerosols that contain Legionella can cause the legionnaires’ disease (legionellosis) in the surrounding area of cooling towers and wet separators by the means of droplet infection. This special form of pneumonia caused by Legionella can take on a life-threatening course, so that the outbreak of Legionella bacteria must be prevented as effectively as possible by means of suitable hygiene measures, e. g. with biocidal treatment. In order to protect health and environment, the applicable legal regulations on the hygienic operation have become increasingly strict.

Biocides for disinfection and microbiological control

Biocides are therefore used, which specifically break down pathogenic germs, slime deposits and biofilms. However, conventional biocides such as hydrogen peroxide or isothiazolinones have the disadvantage that high dosages are required and bacterial resistances may occur, which makes it necessary to change the biocide on a regularly basis.


KYROSAN: Effective cleaning of biofilms and legionella 

For this reason, our oxidizing biocide KYROSAN is the industry standard for an effective and advanced cooling water disinfection. KYROSAN, based on the active ingredient chlorine dioxide, supports the hygienic operation of cooling towers, evaporative cooling systems and wet-separators as a broadband biocide.

Click here for more information on KYROSAN products.

KYROSAN acts as a strong disinfectant and preservative and reliably eliminates microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and algae even in a low concentration range. Legionella, in particular, are effectively eliminated in accordance with European Standard EN 13623 – “Chemical disinfectants and antiseptics – Qualitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity against Legionella of chemical disinfectants for aqueous systems”.

KYROSAN can be used in acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions in a wide temperature range and provides superior performance compared to common biocides based on chlorine or hypobromite, especially under alkaline pH conditions. The development of bacterial resistances can be ruled out even after long-term use, to that the alternating use of another biocide becomes redundant.

KYROSAN is supplied as a liquid single component and, as a highly concentrated preparation, makes it possible to product chlorine dioxide in the required quantities directly in the cooling water to be treated (real-time in-situ generation of chlorine dioxide).

Benefits at a glance:

  • Very high active content, economical dosage
  • Effective cleaning and removal of biofilms and microorganisms in all types of process water
  • Highly effective against legionella in accordance with European Norm EN 13623
  • No development of bacterial resistances, no need to alternate the biocide
  • Non-toxic, non-degassing, non-explosive and therefore meets highest operational safety requirements
  • Shelf life of 6 months
  • Ready to use: No need to install a chlorine dioxide generator system or to activate the chlorine dioxide by blending two components
  • Proven to preserve the hygienic state of the cooling tower

Are you an operator of cooling towers, a contractor or a service company active in the maintenance of cooling towers and would like to find out more about the industry standard in cooling water treatment?


Contact us for more information.

Telefon: +49 40 300501 8224
Email: water-chemicals@tergroup.com