Accurate Measurement of Water in Cooling Tower Structure

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Cooling tower structures vary significantly in size and design, but they all function to provide the same thing: heat extraction from a process or building system through the evaporation of water. As this water evaporates, water must be added back. The water that is added is called make-up water. It is essential to measure this water to ensure the cooling tower is free of leaks and is running efficiently. When water evaporates from the tower, dissolved solids (such as calcium, magnesium, chloride, and silica) remain in the recirculating water. As more water evaporates, the concentration of dissolved solids increases. To avoid scaling and corrosion problems caused by these high mineral concentrations, a portion of this water, called blowdown water, must be replaced with make-up water. This blowdown water should also be metered. The Federal Energy Management Program suggests the following best practices for managing cooling towers: 

“Install flow meters on make-up and blowdown lines. Check the ratio of make-up flow to blowdown flow. Then check the ratio of conductivity of blowdown water and the make-up water (handheld conductivity meters can be used to determine the relative mineral concentration of the recirculating and make-up water). These ratios should match the target cycles of concentration. If both ratios are not about the same, check the tower for leaks or other unauthorized drawoff. If the system is not operating at, or near, the target cycles of concentration, check system components including conductivity controller, make-up water fill valve, and blowdown valve."

Product Specifications

A1N Series Nylon housing Fits pipe sizes 1 in./NPT (Female) Accuracy of Reading: +/- 1.5% Max working temperature: -40ºF to 250ºF Battery operated display - no wiring required Optional 4-20mA and scaled pulse available

TM Series PVC Housing Fits pipe sizes 1/2 in., 3/4 in., 1 in., 1-1/2 in., 2 in., 3 in., 4 in. Accuracy of reading: +/- 3% Max working temperature: +32ºF to +140ºF  Battery operated display - no wiring required Optional 4-20mA and scaled pulse available Remote-mounted display option

G2 Series 316 Stainless Steel, Aluminum, PVDF housing Fits pipe sizes 1/2 in., 3/4 in., 1 in., 1-1/2 in., 2 in. Accuracy of reading: +/-0.75% to +/- 1.5% based on line size (PVDF is +/- 1% to +/- 1.5%) Max working temperature: 0ºF to +129ºF Battery operated display - no wiring required Optional 4-20mA and scaled pulse available Remote-mounted display option

Cooling tower with meters for accurate water readings