Cooling
towers are common systems seen in industrial areas. They are stapled features
used by or in chemical or petrochemical plants, oil refineries, and thermal
power stations. They can also be part of a building's HVAC system to help cool
the facility. This system is essential to cool down water that has been heated
due to air-conditioning condensing or an industrial process. A tower does this
by using water and an evaporation process to pull the heat away and release it
outside, hence creating a comfortable, cooler indoor environment.
Although
cooling towers help make a facility's indoor environment cooler, these systems
can become home to various harmful types of bacteria, including Legionella.
This is because a cooling tower's process of cooling water leads to the
collection of dust and debris that settle in the basin of the cooling tower. If
the tower is not cleaned and maintained properly and regularly, bacteria,
particularly Legionella, will flourish in the residue found in the basin since
it is the ideal environment for them.
There
are some key tips you can follow to effectively control Legionella bacterial
growth in cooling towers and consequently prevent disease outbreaks. These
include the following:
Properly and regularly maintaining
the cooling tower. Since a cooling
tower constantly collects debris, it is important to regularly remove whatever
has settled in the tower. Key maintenance tasks that need to be regularly done
include carrying out ongoing inspections to identify any mechanical deficiencies,
immediately repairing any mechanical issues the tower may have including leaks
and broken panels and fans, and performing regular proper cooling tower
cleanings.
Employ systematic filtration. Aside from regular cleaning, it is essential to
make sure that the tower water is filtered on a continuous basis to remove dirt
and debris and prevent build-up or accumulation of sludge. Through systematic
filtration, dust and debris are removed immediately, organic compounds and
biological organisms are captured and eliminated, and food and hiding places
that can foster bacterial development will be eradicated quickly as well.
Treat the water regularly. Chemical water treatment is also crucial to
controlling scale formation, maintain the acceptable pH levels of the water
system, reduce corrosion and fouling, and prevent biological contamination.
Regular monitoring. Consistent automatic system monitoring and
commissioning are essential to enhance water quality and system performance.
Monitoring can be done with the use of the right equipment and software. There
are also various Legionella water testing kits that can be used to assess the
quality of the water in the tower. Continuously monitoring water quality and
system efficiency is also an important part of the process. You can also ask
building personnel to inform you of any decline in water quality.
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