Water is a universal solvent and, as such, it is capable of dissolving and retaining high concentrations of minerals and deposits. It is also an excellent medium for the transfer and removal of heat. For cooling tower systems, efficient heat removal is a requirement for both design and operation. This article takes a look at some available water treatment methods to prevent the three primary problems associated with cooling tower water: scale/deposits, corrosion and microbial growth.

When used as a cooling medium, the water that passes through cooling towers must be treated to remove dissolved contaminants. As water temperature rises, the behavior and even the chemical makeup of the dissolved contaminants it contains, changes. If left untreated, the water will leave behind deposits, resulting in scaling, fouling and corrosion. The end result is a loss of heat transfer, along with inefficiency of the cooling tower.