Date of Award

2016

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Sub-Department

Engineering Management

First Advisor

David Rocheleau

Abstract

Proper chemistry control of cooling towers reduces corrosion, biological growth, and precipitation of solids. Therefore, improving control can lead to increased equipment life, operating efficiency, and safety. Chemistry of cooling towers is highly dependent on loading, weather, and time. As such, cooling tower chemistry varies day to day and even hour to hour, requiring either continuous controls or large operating bands. Through automation, 24/7 monitoring and control can be achieved, allowing for deliberate operation within tight operating bands. As a direct result of automation water consumption has been reduced by 9.1 million gallons per year, CL-49 use has been reduced by 21.2%, and chemistry bands have been drastically narrowed. Indirectly it is expected that both corrosion rates and biological growth will be reduced, due to the improved chemistry.

Rights

© 2016, Ryan Matthew Maxwell

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