
Duplex
pumps send cooling water to a heat treating furnace. Photos courtesy Robson
Industries Inc.
It is essential to review and understand the manufacturer's specifications for cooling water to design or specify a successful system. The specification typically is given with a water flow rate, temperature rise and heat load rating. The water temperature required for the process also will influence the type of system you choose (table 2).
Is the process especially sensitive to temperature variation, requiring tight temperature control? Does the process have both upper and lower water-temperature limits? Does the process have different cycles in which more or less water is required? Are there any material compatibility issues? Questions like these need to be asked and answered to have a chance at success.

Some
automotive customers choose systems with multiple heat exchangers and multiple
pumps to minimize downtime.
System Choices
Evaporative Cooling Tower System.Systems using evaporative cooling towers are the most common for industrial process water cooling because of their low initial expense and economical operation.An evaporative cooling tower cools water by evaporating it in a controlled manner. Water is sprayed inside the tower on plastic fill material, and fans blow air over the fill to evaporate and cool the water.
As the water is being evaporated, a mineral buildup occurs. For this reason, the process water often is separated from the tower water by a plate-and-frame heat exchanger. This design allows for a completely closed process loop of water apart from the tower water, which can become corrosive. Using a plate-and-frame heat exchanger and creating two isolated water flows (a dual-loop system) is recommended when using an evaporative cooling tower for most industrial applications.

The
general characteristics of each process water cooling system should be
considered when making a selection.
A tower can be effective in cold weather if the system is designed properly. During the coldest months, the water should drain out of the tower into an external (indoor) reservoir when cooling is not required, thereby removing the risk of freezing during a protracted shutdown or power failure.
Regardless of tower construction (galvanized steel, stainless steel or high density polyethylene), temperature restrictions exist due to the materials used inside the tower. Most tower fill is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and will melt if the temperature rises much above 140oF (60oC). Fills made with more heat-resistant materials exist, but it is more common to work within the system’s design constraints to keep the water temperatures in the tower well below the upper limits.

To
save floor space, a water reservoir can be located on top of pumps and
controls.
The coils typically are made with copper tubes and aluminum fins, so corrosion is not an issue. When paired with a closed reservoir, the system is completely isolated from oxygen, which makes it difficult for rust to form. The closed-reservoir design will enhance the performance of the equipment and extend its life.
Air-cooled heat exchangers are attractive if higher process water temperatures (110oF [43oC] or above) are acceptable. However, these systems are susceptible to outside temperatures. For example, if the outside temperature is 95oF (35oC), the temperature of the water will not get down to 90oF (32oC), even if there are 100 fans blowing on the coil. As a result, processes that require water temperatures of 90oF or lower cannot be cooled reliably by an air-cooled heat exchanger in many parts of the United States.
A glycol solution can and should be used for many process water applications. The solution will provide protection from freezing and, when mixed with a corrosion inhibitor, can extend the longevity of the entire system. The heat transfer capacity of the glycol will impact the thermal design. Glycol can be used for any cooling water application except in the tower loop of an evaporative cooling tower system.
When freezing is a possibility at the installation location, a glycol solution should be used to protect the coils and equipment from freezing. Alternately, the coil can be completely drained when it is out of use during the freezing period, but this option is not always practical.

A
cooling water system can be designed properly by understanding a few key points
about the process to be cooled.
A glycol solution should be used in a chiller system because of the possibility of water freezing inside the system and damaging components.
When selecting a refrigerated chiller system, consider specifying duplex pumps. A system can include two full-size pumps (also called duplex pumps) monitored by a pressure switch or flow switch. One pump operates normally, and the second pump is a backup that can start automatically if a failure occurs. If duplex pumps are specified, have the pumps alternate occasionally to make sure the backup pump will be in working order when it is needed.

This
mission-critical chiller system has redundant 40-ton chillers and two sets of
redundant process pumps.
A plant water cooling system is a reliable and cost-effective addition to your facility when it is designed correctly. Understanding the available systems and how they can benefit your particular process will help you achieve this goal.
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