A new concurrent format with two technical tracks is the highlight of the Cooling Technology Institute's 2005 conference. Scheduled February 28-March 3 at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas, the conference will present more than 20 technical papers.

The first technical track is water treatment. Among the presentations scheduled are:

  • "It's Time to Rethink Cooling Tower Filtration" by Dr. Marcus Allhands, Amiad Filtration Systems. Allhands will explain how side-stream filtration can be used to maintain minimal suspended solids in the cooling system.
  • "Finally, an Alternative to Azoles" by Eric Ward and Al L. Foster, Alco Chemical. Ward and Foster will introducie a new breed of yellow metal corrosion inhibitor.
  • "Control of Resistant Bacteria in Recirculating Water Systems" by Dr. Chris L. Wiatr, Buckman Laboratories Inc. Wiatr will look at controlling bacterial populations in the bulk water and on cooling system surfaces.
  • "Monitoring Cooling Water for Potential Reuse" by Phil Kiser, Hach Co. Cooling water discharges are being studied for potential reuse applications. Kiser will discuss advances in online testing and online instrumentation that allow quick decisions about the quality of these waters.


The second technical track covers both cooling tower performance and technology (P&T) and cooling tower engineering standards and maintenance (ES&M). Among the presentations scheduled are:

  • "Optimization of Water-Cooled Chiller/Cooling Tower Combinations" by James Furlong and Frank Morrison, Baltimore Aircoil Co. Furlong and Morrison will discuss the merits of designing around lower nominal condenser water flow rates with a higher range to improve system life costs.
  • "Natural Frequency Characteristics of Drive Shafts" by Robert Poling, Amarillo Gear Co. Poling will look at the theory of determining the drive shaft's natural frequency as well as methods for empirically testing a shaft's natural frequency.
  • Pressure Recovery Effects in Air-Cooled Installations" by Henk van der Spek, Howden Cooling Fans. This report aims to discuss the effects of pressure recovery on air-cooled heat exchangers.
  • "Lightning Protection for Cooling Towers" by James F. Blake Jr., American Lightning Protection Systems Inc., and Bill W. Howard, American Cooling Tower Inc. Lightning protection systems installed on cooling towers, meant to last 20 or more years, are falling into disrepair 6 to 12 months after completion. Blake and Howard look at the reasons this is occuring and discuss the creation of a lightning protection standard specific to cooling towers.


Registration for the 2005 conference is $495 for CTI members and $595 for nonmembers. For more information or to register, call (281) 583-4087 or visitwww.cti.org.