Blogs

The Importance of Cooling Towers in Power Plants

June 19, 2025

Cooling towers are heat rejection systems that remove excess thermal energy from power plant operations, maintaining optimal temperatures for continuous electricity generation. These industrial cooling solutions are essential components in thermal power plants, nuclear facilities, and other large-scale energy production systems.

Power plants generate significant amounts of waste heat during electricity production. Cooling towers address this challenge by using evaporative cooling processes to dissipate thermal energy, preventing equipment overheating and maintaining system efficiency.

The primary function of cooling towers in power generation is to cool heated water from condensers before recirculation, ensuring the power plant cooling cycle operates within safe temperature parameters for maximum energy output.

What Are Cooling Towers and Why Do Power Plants Need Them?

Cooling towers are specialized heat rejection systems that remove waste heat from industrial processes through evaporation. In power plants, they serve as the final step in the thermal cycle, cooling heated water from condensers before it recirculates back into the system.

Power plants generate enormous amounts of heat during electricity production. Without proper cooling, this excess thermal energy would cause equipment failure, reduced efficiency, and potential safety hazards.

The basic principle is simple: hot water from the power plant enters the tower, where it's cooled through contact with ambient air, then returns to continue the cooling cycle.

How Do Cooling Towers Work in Power Plants?

The cooling process follows these essential steps:

Heat Transfer Process:

  • Hot water from the condenser enters the cooling tower
  • Water flows down through fill media while air moves upward
  • Evaporation occurs as water droplets contact cool air
  • Cooled water collects in the basin and recirculates

Air Circulation Mechanics:

Natural draft towers use buoyancy effects, while mechanical draft towers employ fans to force air movement. This creates the temperature differential needed for effective heat transfer.

The evaporative cooling process can reduce water temperatures by 10-20°F, making it highly efficient for industrial applications.

What Types of Cooling Towers Are Used in Power Plants?

Natural Draft Cooling Towers

These hyperbolic-shaped giants rely on natural air buoyancy for circulation. They're typically 300-600 feet tall and ideal for large thermal power plants due to their high cooling capacity and minimal energy requirements.

Mechanical Draft Cooling Towers

Forced Draft: Fans push air through the tower from the bottom Induced Draft: Fans pull air through the tower from the top Mechanical systems offer better control over cooling performance but require more energy to operate.

Hybrid Cooling Towers

These combine wet and dry cooling technologies, offering flexibility during different weather conditions while reducing water consumption.

Why Are Cooling Towers Critical for Power Plant Efficiency?

Temperature Control: Maintaining optimal condenser temperatures improves turbine efficiency and power output.

Equipment Protection: Prevents overheating damage to expensive turbines, condensers, and generators.

Water Conservation:Recirculates cooling water instead of using once-through systems that waste thousands of gallons per minute.

Environmental Compliance: Reduces thermal pollution in nearby water bodies by cooling discharge of water to acceptable temperatures.

Studies show that every 1°F reduction in condenser temperature can improve plant efficiency by 0.5-1%, translating to significant cost savings for large facilities.

How Do Cooling Towers Support Thermal Power Plant Operations?

In thermal power plants using the Rankine cycle, cooling towers complete the essential heat rejection phase. Steam from turbines must be condensed back to liquid water before returning to the boiler.

Without effective cooling, back pressure in the system increases, reducing turbine efficiency and potentially causing equipment damage. This makes cooling towers absolutely essential for uninterrupted power generation.

The condenser cooling process allows power plants to maintain the temperature differential needed for optimal thermodynamic efficiency.

What Factors Affect Cooling Tower Performance?

Factor Impact on Efficiency Optimization Strategy
Ambient Temperature Higher temps reduce cooling capacity Design for local climate conditions
Humidity Levels High humidity limits evaporation Use hybrid systems in humid climates
Water Quality Poor quality causes scaling/corrosion Implement proper water treatment
Airflow Distribution Uneven flow reduces performance Regular maintenance and fan optimization
Fill Media Condition Damaged fills reduce heat transfer Schedule regular inspections and replacements

How Do Modern Cooling Towers Address Environmental Concerns?

Water Usage Optimization: Advanced systems recycle 95-98% of cooling water, with only 2-5% lost to evaporation and drift.

Drift Eliminators: Modern towers reduce water droplet drift to less than 0.005% of circulation flow.

Plume Reduction: Hybrid systems minimize visible plumes that can cause public concern.

Chemical Treatment: Proper water treatment reduces the need for biocides and other chemicals that could impact local ecosystems.

What Challenges Do Power Plant Cooling Towers Face?

Scale Formation: Mineral deposits reduce heat transfer efficiency and require regular cleaning.

Microbiological Growth: Algae and bacteria can clog systems and create health hazards.

Corrosion Issues: Chemical reactions can damage tower components and reduce lifespan.

Energy Consumption: Mechanical draft towers require significant power for fan operation.

Modern solutions include automated water treatment systems, IoT monitoring for predictive maintenance, and advanced materials that resist corrosion and biological growth.

What Innovations Are Shaping Cooling Tower Technology?

Dry Cooling Systems: Air-cooled condensers eliminate water usage but require more energy and space.

IoT Monitoring: Smart sensors track performance parameters in real-time, enabling predictive maintenance.

Advanced Materials: Corrosion-resistant fills and drift eliminators improve longevity and performance.

Hybrid Technologies: Combining wet and dry cooling optimizes performance across varying weather conditions.

These innovations help power plants meet stricter environmental regulations while maintaining operational efficiency.

Conclusion:

Cooling towers represent the critical link between efficient power generation and environmental responsibility. These heat rejection systems enable power plants to operate safely while minimizing water waste and thermal pollution.

As energy demands grow and environmental regulations tighten, advanced cooling tower technologies become increasingly important for sustainable power production.

CET Enviro specializes in optimizing cooling tower performance through innovative water treatment solutions and sustainable engineering practices. Our expertise helps power plants achieve better efficiency, reduced environmental impact, and lower operational costs.

Ready to enhance your cooling system performance? Contact CET Enviro today to explore how our sustainable cooling solutions can improve your plant's efficiency and environmental compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much water do cooling towers save compared to once-through cooling?

Cooling towers reduce water consumption by 95-97% compared to once-through systems, recycling thousands of gallons per minute that would otherwise be discharged.

What's the typical lifespan of a power plant cooling tower?

With proper maintenance, cooling towers can operate effectively for 20-30 years. Key components like fills and eliminators may need replacement every 10-15 years.

How do cooling towers affect local weather patterns?

Large cooling towers can create localized humidity and fog, but properly designed systems minimize environmental impact through plume reduction technologies.

What maintenance is required for optimal cooling tower performance?

Regular water treatment, cleaning of fills and basins, fan maintenance, and monitoring of drift eliminators are essential for peak performance.

Can cooling towers operate efficiently in all climates?

Yes, but design considerations vary. Hot, dry climates favor evaporative cooling, while humid areas may benefit from hybrid wet-dry systems.

What is Steam Condenser A Complete Guide

What is Steam Condenser: A Complete Guide

June 10, 2025

Steam condensers are essential components that drive efficiency and promote eco-friendly practices in power generation. If you're managing industrial facilities or overseeing power plant operations, understanding how steam power plant condensers work can significantly impact your energy costs and environmental compliance.

At CET Enviro, we've helped countless facilities optimize their cooling systems through sustainable water treatment solutions. This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about steam condensers and their role in modern industrial operations.

What is a Steam Condenser?

A steam condenser is a heat exchanger device that converts exhaust steam from turbines back into liquid water by removing heat, enabling water reuse and maintaining optimal turbine performance.

Think of it as your power plant's recycling center. Instead of wasting valuable water and energy, condensers capture steam that would otherwise escape and transform it back into usable condensate. This process is crucial for both efficiency and sustainability.

The working principle involves cooling steam through direct or indirect contact with cooling water, creating a vacuum that enhances turbine performance while recovering precious water resources.

 

Why Steam Condensers are Essential in Power Plants

Steam condensers serve as the backbone of efficient power generation. Here's why they're indispensable:

  • Enhanced Thermal Efficiency: By maintaining low backpressure on turbines, condensers can improve plant efficiency by 20-30%. Lower backpressure means turbines can extract more energy from steam.
  • Water Conservation: Condensers enable 95%+ water recovery from steam cycles. In water-scarce regions, this recycling capability is environmentally and economically critical.
  • Vacuum Maintenance: Proper condensing creates vacuum conditions that allow turbines to operate at peak performance levels.
  • Cost Reduction: Reusing condensate eliminates the need for continuous makeup water and reduces chemical treatment costs.

How a Steam Power Plant Condenser Works

The condensation process follows a systematic approach:

Step 1: Steam Entry - Exhaust steam from turbines enters the condenser at low pressure and temperature.

Step 2: Heat Exchange - Cooling water (or air) absorbs heat from steam, causing phase change from vapor to liquid.

Step 3: Condensate Collection - Liquid water (condensate) collects at the bottom and gets pumped back to the boiler.

Step 4: Non-condensable Removal - Air and other gases are extracted via vacuum pumps to maintain optimal conditions.

This closed-loop system ensures minimal water loss while maximizing energy recovery from the steam cycle.

 

Types of Steam Condensers

Surface Condenser vs Jet Condenser Comparison

Feature Surface Condenser Jet Condenser
Water Contact Indirect (through tubes) Direct mixing
Condensate Quality High purity Mixed with cooling water
Water Consumption Lower Higher
Installation Cost Higher initial cost Lower initial cost
Maintenance Moderate Higher
Best For High-pressure plants Low-pressure applications

 

Surface Condensers are preferred in thermal power plants because they maintain condensate purity and enable efficient water reuse. The steam condenses on the outside of cooling tubes without mixing with cooling water.

Jet Condensers work by directly mixing steam with cooling water. While simpler and cheaper initially, they consume more water and produce mixed condensate.

Applications of Steam Condensers in Industries

Steam condensers find applications across various sectors:

  • Thermal Power Plants: The primary application where condensers handle massive steam volumes from turbine exhausts.
  • Industrial Manufacturing: Process industries use condensers for steam recovery in heating and drying operations.
  • Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities: Captive power generation systems require efficient condensing for reliable operations.
  • Hotels and Commercial Buildings: HVAC systems and co-generation units benefit from condenser efficiency.
  • Refineries and Petrochemicals: Complex processes require reliable steam condensing for multiple applications.

Benefits of Using Efficient Condensers

Modern condensing systems deliver substantial operational advantages:

1. Water Reuse and Conservation: Advanced condensers can achieve 98% condensate recovery, dramatically reducing makeup water requirements.

2. Reduced Chemical Usage: With proper non-chemical water treatment systems, condensers minimize scale and corrosion without harsh chemicals.

3. Extended Equipment Life: Clean condensate reduces boiler scaling and corrosion, extending plant life by years.

4. Environmental Compliance: Efficient condensers support zero liquid discharge initiatives and reduce environmental impact.

5. Energy Savings: Optimized condensing can reduce auxiliary power consumption by 15-25%.

Steam Condensers & Sustainability: CET Enviro's Approach

At CET Enviro, we understand that sustainable cooling solutions are no longer optional; they're essential. Our approach to condenser water management combines efficiency with environmental responsibility.

Many facilities have reduced their water treatment chemical usage by 90% while improving condenser performance through our sustainable solutions.

 

Conclusion

Steam condensers play a vital role in sustainable power generation by improving efficiency, conserving water, and reducing environmental impact. Understanding their operation and maintenance requirements helps facility managers make informed decisions about cooling system optimization.

Whether you're upgrading existing condensers or planning new installations, the choice of water treatment technology significantly impacts long-term performance and costs.

Ready to improve your plant's water efficiency and reduce chemical use? Discover how CET Enviro's sustainable cooling solutions can enhance your condenser performance while supporting your environmental goals. Contact our team for a customized assessment of your facility's condensing system.

FAQs: Steam Condensers in Power Plants

1. What is the function of a steam condenser in a thermal power plant?

A steam condenser converts exhaust steam from turbines back to liquid water, creating vacuum conditions that improve turbine efficiency while enabling water reuse in the steam cycle.

2. How do surface and jet condensers differ?

Surface condensers use indirect heat exchange through tubes, maintaining condensate purity, while jet condensers directly mix steam with cooling water, consuming more water but costing less initially.

3. How does a condenser improve power plant efficiency?

Condensers create low backpressure conditions that allow turbines to extract more energy from steam while recovering valuable water and heat for reuse in the system.

4. What maintenance do steam condensers require?

Regular cleaning to prevent fouling, tube inspection for leaks, vacuum system maintenance, and cooling water treatment to prevent scaling and corrosion.

5. Can condensers work without chemical water treatment?

Yes, non-chemical water treatment systems can effectively prevent scaling and corrosion without environmental impact or chemical costs.

 

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Preventive Maintenance Checklist for Industrial Chillers

Industrial Chiller Preventive Maintenance Checklist: A Complete Guide

May 30, 2025

Industrial chillers are the backbone of countless manufacturing and processing facilities, working tirelessly to maintain optimal temperatures for critical operations. Whether you're managing a pharmaceutical plant, data center, or chemical processing facility, your chiller system's reliability directly impacts productivity, energy costs, and operational compliance.

Preventive maintenance isn't just a good practice; it's essential for maximizing equipment longevity, ensuring energy efficiency, and avoiding costly emergency repairs. At CET Enviro, we understand how proper maintenance protocols can transform your cooling system's performance while supporting your sustainability goals.

A comprehensive industrial chiller preventive maintenance checklist includes weekly inspections, monthly filter changes, quarterly system analysis, and annual overhauls. Regular maintenance prevents costly breakdowns, improves energy efficiency by up to 30%, and extends equipment lifespan significantly.

What Is Preventive Maintenance for Chillers?

Preventive maintenance for industrial chillers involves scheduled inspections, cleaning, adjustments, and component replacements performed before problems occur. Unlike reactive maintenance that addresses issues after they arise, preventive maintenance follows a proactive approach designed to keep your cooling system operating at peak performance.

What does preventive maintenance involve for chillers?

This systematic approach includes regular monitoring of key performance indicators, cleaning of heat exchange surfaces, lubrication of moving parts, and replacement of wear components according to manufacturer specifications. The goal is to identify and address potential issues before they escalate into major failures.

Effective chiller maintenance combines visual inspections, performance testing, water treatment, and documentation of all activities. This comprehensive strategy ensures your cooling system remains reliable, efficient, and compliant with environmental regulations.

 

Why Preventive Maintenance Is Essential?

1. Energy Efficiency

Well-maintained chillers operate significantly more efficiently than neglected units. Clean condenser tubes, properly adjusted controls, and optimal refrigerant levels can improve energy efficiency by 20-30%. This translates directly to reduced utility costs and lower carbon footprints.

Regular maintenance ensures heat transfer surfaces remain free from scale, corrosion, and biofouling—common culprits that force chillers to work harder and consume more energy.

2. Equipment Longevity

Industrial chillers represent substantial capital investments, often costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Preventive maintenance can extend equipment lifespan from 15-20 years to 25-30 years or more.

Components like compressors, which are expensive to replace, benefit tremendously from regular oil changes, vibration monitoring, and proper system pressures.

3. Regulatory Compliance

Environmental regulations increasingly focus on refrigerant management, energy efficiency, and water discharge quality. A structured maintenance program helps ensure compliance with EPA regulations, local environmental codes, and industry standards.

Documentation from regular maintenance activities provides crucial evidence of compliance during inspections and audits.

4. Reduced Downtime and Costs

Unplanned chiller failures can shut down entire production lines, resulting in lost revenue, rushed repairs, and emergency service calls. Preventive maintenance reduces the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns by 75% or more.

Emergency repairs typically cost 3-5 times more than planned maintenance activities, making preventive programs an excellent investment in operational reliability.

Complete Preventive Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance Checklist Why It Matters
Check operating pressures and temperatures Early detection of performance deviations
Verify water flow rates and levels Prevents dry running and pump damage
Monitor electrical readings (amps, volts) Identifies electrical issues before failure
Inspect and clean strainers Maintains proper water flow and system efficiency
Check refrigerant levels and pressures Ensures optimal cooling capacity
Test safety controls and alarms Verifies protective systems function properly
Replace water filters Prevents contamination and maintains water quality
Clean condenser coils (air-cooled units) Maintains heat transfer efficiency
Inspect electrical connections Prevents loose connections and electrical failures
Perform vibration analysis Detects bearing wear and alignment issues
Test and calibrate controls Ensures accurate system operation
Clean evaporator tubes Maintains optimal heat transfer
Change compressor oil and filters Protects compressor from contamination
Inspect and tighten all connections Prevents leaks and maintains system integrity
Complete system performance analysis Benchmarks efficiency and identifies trends
Professional refrigerant leak testing Ensures environmental compliance
Motor and starter inspection Prevents electrical failures

Key Components to Monitor

1. Compressors

The compressor is your chiller's heart, and its health determines overall system performance. Monitor suction and discharge pressures, oil levels, temperature readings, and unusual vibrations or noises.

Regular oil analysis reveals internal wear patterns and contamination levels. Maintain proper superheating and subcooling to prevent liquid slugging or overheating.

2. Condensers

Whether air-cooled or water-cooled, condensers require consistent attention to maintain heat rejection efficiency. Clean coil surfaces, check fan operation, and monitor approach temperatures.

For water-cooled systems, maintain proper water treatment to prevent scaling and corrosion. Consider tube cleaning frequency based on water quality and system age.

3. Evaporators

Evaporator performance directly affects cooling capacity and energy consumption. Monitor leaving water temperature, approach temperature, and pressure drop across the unit.

Regular cleaning prevents biofilm formation and scale buildup that reduces heat transfer efficiency. Proper water treatment is crucial for evaporator longevity.

4. Controls & Sensors

Modern chillers rely on sophisticated control systems for optimal operation. Calibrate temperature and pressure sensors regularly to ensure accurate readings and proper system response.

Test safety controls, including high/low pressure cutouts, motor protection, and flow switches. Verify that control sequences operate as designed under various load conditions.

Common Issues Detected

1. Scale Buildup

Hard water minerals accumulate on heat transfer surfaces, reducing efficiency and restricting flow. Regular water treatment and tube cleaning prevent scale formation and maintain optimal performance.

Scale deposits can reduce heat transfer efficiency by up to 50%, dramatically increasing energy consumption and cooling capacity.

2. Biofouling

Bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms form biofilms that insulate heat transfer surfaces and promote corrosion. Proper biocide treatment and regular cleaning control biological growth.

Biofouling often appears as slimy deposits and can be identified through microbiological testing and visual inspection during maintenance activities.

3. Refrigerant Leaks

Small refrigerant leaks gradually reduce system capacity and efficiency while contributing to environmental impacts. Electronic leak detectors and annual testing identify problems early.

Even minor leaks can result in significant refrigerant loss over time, affecting performance and increasing operating costs.

4. Vibration Issues

Excessive vibration indicates bearing wear, misalignment, or loose components. Regular vibration analysis using handheld analyzers or permanently installed monitoring systems detects problems before failure.

Addressing vibration issues early prevents catastrophic failures and extends component life significantly.

How CET Enviro Helps Improve Chiller Efficiency?

CET Enviro's innovative solutions directly address common chiller maintenance challenges while supporting sustainability goals. Our ACCS™ (Automatic Condenser Cleaning System) optimizes chiller operation through intelligent load management and predictive maintenance capabilities.

The SBR™ (Scale & Bio Removal System) technology helps maintain optimal water quality in cooling tower systems, reducing scale formation and biofouling that plague traditional chillers.

Our EMOS (Environmental Monitoring and Optimization System) provides real-time performance tracking and alerts, enabling proactive maintenance decisions. This technology integration reduces energy consumption while extending equipment life.

COLTCS™ (Condenser Onload Tube Cleaning Technology) ensures proper water treatment and chemical balance, preventing many common maintenance issues before they occur. These solutions work together to create more efficient, reliable cooling systems.

 

Conclusion

Consistent preventive maintenance is the foundation of reliable, efficient chiller operation. By following a structured maintenance program, you'll maximize equipment life, minimize energy costs, and ensure regulatory compliance while avoiding costly emergency repairs.

The investment in preventive maintenance pays dividends through improved reliability, lower operating costs, and reduced environmental impact. Modern technologies and systematic approaches make maintenance more effective than ever.

Ready to optimize your chiller performance and embrace sustainable cooling solutions? Contact CET Enviro today to discover how our innovative environmental technologies can transform your industrial cooling systems while supporting your sustainability goals.

FAQs

1. What is included in a chiller maintenance checklist?

A comprehensive chiller maintenance checklist includes daily operational checks, weekly cleaning tasks, monthly component inspections, quarterly performance analysis, and annual overhauls.

2. What is the best way to clean condenser tubes without shutdown?

Onload Tube Cleaning Technology using brush-type cleaners or chemical circulation can clean condenser tubes without shutdown. However, periodic offline cleaning provides more thorough results and allows for inspection of tube integrity.

3. How can improve chiller's energy efficiency through maintenance?

Regular condenser cleaning, proper refrigerant charging, water treatment, and control calibration can improve chiller efficiency by 20-30%. Focus on heat transfer surfaces, system pressures, and eliminating unnecessary energy consumption.

 

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Save Water & Energy in Cooling Towers

Water-Saving Tips for Efficient Cooling Towers: A Complete Guide

May 29, 2025

Industrial cooling towers are among the largest water consumers in manufacturing facilities, power plants, and commercial buildings. With rising water costs and increasing environmental regulations, optimizing cooling tower water efficiency has become a critical priority for facility managers worldwide.

The good news? Implementing smart water-saving strategies can reduce your cooling tower's water consumption by 20-40% while maintaining optimal performance. This comprehensive guide explores practical, proven methods to achieve significant industrial water savings without compromising your operations.

What Does Water-Saving in Cooling Towers Actually Mean?

Water-saving in cooling towers refers to reducing the total volume of water consumed while maintaining effective heat rejection. Unlike other industrial processes, cooling towers lose water through three primary mechanisms: evaporation, drift, and blowdown.

Evaporation accounts for the largest water loss, typically representing 1-2% of the circulating water flow for every 10°F of cooling range. Drift refers to small water droplets carried away by air currents, while blowdown involves intentionally removing concentrated water to prevent scale formation.

Effective cooling tower water efficiency focuses on minimizing unnecessary losses while optimizing the natural cooling process. This approach not only reduces water consumption but also lowers chemical treatment costs and extends equipment lifespan.

Why Should Industries Care About Cooling Tower Water Efficiency?

The business case for cooling tower optimization extends far beyond environmental responsibility. Rising water costs in many regions have made water conservation a direct bottom-line issue for industrial facilities.

Regulatory compliance presents another compelling reason. Environmental agencies worldwide are tightening water usage restrictions, particularly in water-stressed regions. Facilities that proactively reduce water wastage position themselves ahead of future regulatory requirements.

Energy efficiency also improves with proper water management. Well-maintained cooling towers with optimized water usage operate more efficiently, reducing overall energy consumption by 10-15%. This creates a compound benefit of lower water AND energy costs.

How Can Cooling Towers Save More Water Through Smart Management?

Optimize Cycles of Concentration

Increasing your cooling tower's cycles of concentration represents the single most effective method to reduce water wastage. Cycles of concentration measure how many times dissolved solids concentrate compared to makeup water.

Most cooling towers operate at 3-4 cycles, but modern water treatment allows safe operation at 6-8 cycles or higher. Each additional cycle reduces makeup water requirements by approximately 12-15%.

Advanced water treatment systems like CET-Enviro's Scale & Bio Remover (SBR™) enable higher concentration cycles by preventing scale formation and biological growth. This technology allows facilities to safely operate at elevated concentration levels while maintaining optimal heat transfer.

Implement Advanced Water Treatment Technologies

Modern water treatment goes beyond basic chemical addition. Automated systems monitor water quality continuously and adjust treatment parameters in real-time, preventing both over-treatment and under-treatment scenarios.

Automatic Condenser Cleaning Systems (ACCS™) represent a breakthrough in maintaining heat exchanger efficiency. By keeping condenser tubes clean, these systems maintain optimal heat transfer rates, reducing the cooling load on towers and associated water consumption.

 

Advanced Technologies for Maximum Water Efficiency

Condenser Tube Cleaning Systems

Clean condenser tubes operate at peak efficiency, reducing the cooling load on towers. CET-Enviro's Power Plant Condenser Onload Tube Cleaning System (COLTCS) maintains optimal heat transfer without taking equipment offline.

This continuous cleaning approach eliminates the productivity losses associated with scheduled shutdowns while maintaining consistent cooling performance. The result is reduced water consumption and improved overall system efficiency.

Energy Monitoring for Water Optimization

Modern Energy Monitoring Systems (EMOS) track the relationship between energy consumption and water usage in real-time. This data enables operators to identify optimization opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Integrated monitoring reveals correlations between cooling efficiency, water consumption, and energy usage. Armed with this information, facility managers can make data-driven decisions that optimize both water and energy consumption simultaneously.

Water Reuse and Recycling Strategies

Cooling Tower Blowdown Recovery

Instead of discharging blowdown water to waste, progressive facilities implement recovery systems that treat and reuse this water stream. A properly treated blowdown can serve various plant processes including equipment washing, dust suppression, or irrigation.

Recovery systems typically employ reverse osmosis or ion exchange technologies to remove excess dissolved solids. While requiring initial investment, these systems can reduce overall plant water consumption by 15-20%.

Integration with Plant Water Systems

Smart facilities integrate cooling tower water management with broader plant water systems. Treated wastewater from other processes can serve as cooling tower makeup water after appropriate treatment.

This integrated approach maximizes water reuse while minimizing overall plant water consumption. Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) and Sewage Treatment Plants (STP) can be designed to produce water suitable for cooling applications.

Measuring and Monitoring Water Savings

Key Performance Indicators

Successful water conservation requires consistent measurement and monitoring. Essential KPIs include:

  • Water Usage Ratio: Gallons of makeup water per million BTU heat rejected
  • Cycles of Concentration: Ratio of blowdown conductivity to makeup water conductivity
  • Drift Rate: Percentage of circulating water lost as drift
  • Overall Water Efficiency: Total water consumption per unit of production

Water Testing and Quality Management

Regular water testing ensures optimal system performance while identifying potential efficiency improvements. Comprehensive testing programs monitor multiple parameters including conductivity, pH, hardness, and biological activity.

Professional water testing equipment provides accurate, reliable data for optimization decisions. CET-Enviro's water testing solutions deliver laboratory-grade results for on-site analysis and immediate corrective action.

Cost-Benefit Analysis of Water-Saving Investments

Most cooling tower water-saving technologies deliver positive ROI within 2-3 years through reduced water, chemical, and energy costs. The exact payback period depends on local water costs, system size, and current operating efficiency.

Additional benefits include extended equipment life, reduced maintenance costs, and improved regulatory compliance. These secondary benefits often exceed the direct water cost savings, making efficiency upgrades attractive investments.

Environmental benefits create additional value through sustainability reporting, regulatory compliance, and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Many facilities find that water conservation projects enhance their reputation while delivering measurable cost savings.

 

Getting Started with Your Water Conservation Journey

Implementing water-saving measures doesn't require complete system overhauls. Start with high-impact, low-cost improvements like optimizing cycles of concentration and upgrading drift eliminators.

Professional assessment identifies the most cost-effective improvements for your specific application. Experienced engineers can evaluate current performance and recommend prioritized upgrade paths that maximize water savings per dollar invested.

Regular system audits ensure continued optimal performance as operating conditions change. What works today may need adjustment as production levels, ambient conditions, or water quality parameters evolve.

 

Conclusion: Ready to optimize your cooling tower water efficiency?

CET-Enviro's comprehensive portfolio of water-saving technologies can help you achieve significant reductions in water consumption while maintaining optimal cooling performance.

From automatic cleaning systems to advanced water treatment solutions, we provide proven technologies that deliver measurable results. Contact our engineering team today for a customized assessment of your cooling tower water-saving opportunities and discover how much you could save with properly implemented efficiency measures.

 

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Scale Formation in Condensers

How to Prevent and Remove Scale from Condensers?

May 28, 2025

Introduction

Scale formation in condensers is one of the most persistent challenges faced by industries relying on heat exchange equipment. Whether you're managing a power plant, HVAC system, or industrial cooling operation, scale buildup can significantly impact your system's efficiency, operational costs, and equipment lifespan. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore effective strategies to prevent and remove scale from condensers, with a focus on innovative technologies that are revolutionizing condenser maintenance.

What is Scale Formation in Condensers?

Scale formation occurs when minerals in water precipitate are dissolved and form hard deposits on the interior surfaces of condenser tubes. These deposits typically consist of calcium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide, calcium sulfate, and silica compounds.

The process begins when water containing dissolved minerals is heated or undergoes pressure changes within the condenser system. As conditions change, these minerals become less soluble and crystallize on tube surfaces, creating a progressively thickening layer of scale.

Several factors influence scale formation:

  • Water hardness (high mineral content)
  • Elevated operating temperatures
  • pH imbalances
  • Flow rates and residence time
  • Cooling tower drift
  • Inadequate water treatment

Why Does the Scale Need to Be Removed?

Understanding the consequences of scale buildup highlights why prevention and removal are critical:

1. Reduced Heat Transfer Efficiency

Scale acts as an insulating layer on condenser tubes, significantly reducing heat transfer efficiency. Even a thin 1mm layer of scale can reduce heat transfer by up to 40%!

2. Decreased Equipment Lifespan

Scale buildup creates hotspots in condenser tubes, accelerating corrosion and increasing the risk of tube failures. This shortens the equipment's lifespan and increases maintenance costs.

3. Higher Maintenance Costs

Neglected scale problems eventually lead to expensive downtime, repair costs, and potentially complete system replacement.

How Does Scale Affect Condenser Performance?

When scale accumulates in condensers, several performance metrics are negatively impacted:

  • Increased approach temperature: The difference between the cooling water outlet temperature and the refrigerant condensing temperature rises.
  • Elevated condenser pressure: As heat transfer efficiency decreases, condenser pressure increases, forcing the compressor to work harder.
  • Reduced cooling capacityv: The system's ability to remove heat diminishes, affecting the entire operation.
  • Higher power consumption: The system requires more energy to maintain the same cooling performance.

What Are the Best Methods to Prevent and Remove Scale?

Preventive Approaches

1. Water Treatment Programs Implementing comprehensive water treatment strategies is your first line of defense against scale formation:

  • Water softening to remove hardness minerals
  • Controlled pH adjustment
  • Addition of scale inhibitors and dispersants
  • Routine blowdown to limit mineral concentration

2. Regular Monitoring and Maintenance Consistent monitoring helps identify scale formation before it becomes problematic:

  • Regular water quality testing
  • Routine inspection of condenser tubes
  • Monitoring of approach temperatures and pressure differentials
  • Scheduled preventive maintenance

3. Automated Cleaning Systems Installing automated cleaning systems provides continuous protection:

  • Online brush systems that clean during operation
  • Ball cleaning systems that regularly pass through tubes
  • Automated chemical dosing systems

Scale Removal Approaches

1. Mechanical Cleaning Methods For existing scale deposits, mechanical cleaning options include:

  • Tube brushing with manual or powered equipment
  • High-pressure water jetting
  • Abrasive cleaning with specialized media
  • Drill cleaning for severe deposits

2. Chemical Cleaning Solutions Chemical cleaning dissolves scale without mechanical intervention:

  • Acid cleaning with inhibited acids
  • Chelating agents that bind with scale minerals
  • Proprietary descaling compounds
  • Sequential cleaning procedures for complex deposits

3. Advanced Combined Approaches Modern solutions often combine multiple technologies:

  • Chemical-mechanical hybrid systems
  • Ultrasonic cleaning technologies
  • Electrolytic scale removal methods

Benefits of Implementing CET-Enviro's Scale Prevention Solutions

Facilities implementing CET-Enviro's technologies have reported remarkable improvements:

Benefit Typical Improvement
Energy Efficiency 5–15% reduction in energy consumption
Heat Transfer Efficiency Up to 30% improvement
Maintenance Costs 40–60% reduction in cleaning expenses
Equipment Lifespan 3–5 years extension
Downtime Reduction Up to 90% less planned downtime
Water Treatment Costs 20–30% reduction

Key Takeaways: Effectively Managing Condenser Scale

Implementing an effective scale prevention and removal strategy requires a multi-faceted approach:

  • Proactive water treatment is essential for preventing scale formation
  • Regular monitoring helps catch scale problems early
  • Automated cleaning systems provide continuous protection
  • Chemical solutions should be selected based on specific scale composition
  • Combined approaches deliver the most comprehensive results
  • Long-term strategy should include both prevention and periodic deep cleaning

The cost of ignoring scale buildup far exceeds the investment in prevention and maintenance. Modern technologies provide unprecedented opportunities to maintain peak condenser performance while minimizing operational costs.

By implementing innovative solutions, facilities can achieve substantial energy savings, reduce maintenance costs, extend equipment life, and improve overall operational reliability. In today's competitive landscape, these efficiencies translate directly to improved bottom-line performance and enhanced environmental stewardship.

Conclusion

Scale formation in condensers represents a significant but manageable challenge for industrial facilities and HVAC systems. Scale buildup silently erodes efficiency, increases operational costs, and shortens equipment lifespan.

However, with the right combination of preventive measures and removal techniques, these negative impacts can be effectively mitigated.

The most successful approach to condenser scale management combines proactive water treatment, regular monitoring, and strategic maintenance planning. By choosing CET Enviro's non-chemical scale management technologies, you're making a decision that benefits your operations, your bottom line, and the planet.

 

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Best Practices to Prevent Legionella in Cooling Towers

Best Practices to Prevent Legionella in Cooling Towers

May 27, 2025

In the world of industrial facility management, few microbial threats demand more attention than Legionella bacteria in cooling towers. These essential components of HVAC and industrial cooling systems can become breeding grounds for harmful bacteria without proper management.

In this blog, we will explore the critical factors that contribute to Legionella growth, examine warning signs of potential contamination, and reveal proven methods to maintain clean, efficient cooling systems. From water treatment protocols to advanced monitoring technologies, we'll provide actionable insights that align with both regulatory requirements and operational excellence goals.

What is Legionella and Why Should Facility Managers Be Concerned?

Legionella pneumophila is a waterborne bacterium that thrives in warm, stagnant water, precisely the environment often found in poorly maintained cooling towers. When contaminated water becomes aerosolized, these microscopic droplets can be inhaled, potentially causing Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia.

The consequences of a Legionella outbreak extend beyond health concerns:

  • Facility shutdowns and production losses
  • Costly emergency remediation procedures
  • Potential legal liability and regulatory penalties
  • Damage to company reputation and stakeholder confidence

How Do Cooling Towers Become Contaminated with Legionella?

Cooling towers create an ideal environment for Legionella proliferation due to several factors:

  • Optimal growth temperature: Legionella thrives in water temperatures between 77°F and 108°F (25°C-42°C)—common in cooling tower operations.
  • Biofilm formation: Surface accumulation of microorganisms creates protective environments where bacteria can multiply.
  • Scale and sediment: Mineral deposits provide surfaces for bacterial attachment and protection.
  • Stagnant water: Low flow areas or system downtime allow bacteria to accumulate.
  • Inadequate water treatment: Insufficient biocide levels or irregular treatment protocols fail to control bacterial growth.

The relationship between cooling efficiency and microbial control cannot be overstated. As condenser tube fouling increases due to biofilm and scale formation, not only does Legionella risk rise, but energy efficiency plummets—creating a dual problem for facility operators.

What Are the Warning Signs of Potential Legionella Problems?

Recognizing early indicators of potential Legionella colonization can help prevent full-scale contamination:

Warning Sign What It Indicates Recommended Action
Visible biofilm or slime Active microbial growth Immediate cleaning and treatment
Elevated bacteria count Potential system colonization Increase biocide treatment
Reduced heat transfer efficiency Possible condenser tube fouling Inspect and clean heat exchange surfaces
Water temperature consistently in growth range Conditions favorable for proliferation Adjust system parameters if possible
Stagnant water zones Potential bacterial reservoirs Eliminate dead legs or ensure regular flushing

 

When these issues combine, the cumulative effect can drastically reduce system performance while significantly increasing energy consumption.

How Can Effective Water Treatment Prevent Legionella?

A comprehensive water treatment program forms the foundation of Legionella prevention. Key components include:

1. Biocide Application Strategies

Effective biocide treatment requires proper chemical selection, dosing, and monitoring. Oxidizing biocides (like chlorine and bromine) provide immediate disinfection, while non-oxidizing biocides deliver longer residual protection. Many facilities implement a dual-biocide approach, alternating between types to prevent bacterial resistance.

CET Enviro's Scale & Bio Remover (SBR™) technology offers an innovative approach to biofilm control by targeting the matrix that protects bacteria, making conventional biocides more effective at lower concentrations—a win for both safety and operational costs.

2. Physical Cleaning and Mechanical Removal

No chemical treatment can fully compensate for poor mechanical cleaning. Regular physical removal of biofilm and scale is essential, especially in high-risk facilities.

The Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS™) provides continuous removal of biological fouling from condenser tubes—addressing one of the primary growth areas for Legionella. This technology not only reduces bacteria risk but also maintains optimal chiller optimization, with energy savings of up to 15% compared to manually cleaned systems.

3. Continuous Monitoring and Real-Time Detection

Traditional quarterly testing for Legionella provides only a snapshot of system conditions. Modern prevention strategies incorporate continuous monitoring systems.

CET Enviro's Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) tracks key parameters that can indicate changing conditions favorable to bacterial growth. By monitoring condenser approach temperatures and energy efficiency trends, facilities can detect early signs of biofilm formation before it leads to Legionella colonization.

What Role Does System Design Play in Legionella Prevention?

Prevention begins with proper system design:

  • Elimination of dead legs: Piping configurations without flow promote bacterial growth.
  • Materials selection: Certain materials are more susceptible to biofilm formation.
  • Access points for cleaning: Systems designed for maintainability support better prevention.
  • Proper drift eliminators: Reducing water aerosols minimizes transmission risk.

For existing systems, retrofitting with technologies like the Power Plant Condenser Onload Tube Cleaning System (COLTCS) can significantly reduce Legionella risk while improving cooling efficiency. These systems allow continuous cleaning without production interruption—addressing both safety and operational concerns.

Best Practices for Cooling Tower Maintenance and Inspection

A structured maintenance program should include:

Regular physical inspection: Visual assessment of tower components, basin cleanliness, and drift eliminator condition.

Comprehensive cleaning: Scheduled tower cleaning and disinfection following industry standards.

Water quality testing: Regular monitoring of key parameters:

  • pH (optimal range: 7.0-8.0)
  • Total dissolved solids
  • Chlorine/biocide levels
  • Heterotrophic plate counts
  • Specific Legionella testing

Documentation: Maintaining detailed records of all maintenance activities, water treatment, and test results.

Staff training: Ensuring maintenance personnel understand Legionella risks and proper protocols.

 

How Does a Legionella Management Plan Support Regulatory Compliance?

Many jurisdictions now require formal Legionella management plans for cooling towers. An effective plan includes:

  • Risk assessment documentation
  • Control measure specifications
  • Monitoring procedures and frequencies
  • Corrective action protocols
  • Verification and validation processes
  • Emergency response procedures

Beyond compliance, these plans provide operational benefits through systematic approach to water management that supports both safety and efficiency goals.

How Can Chiller Optimization Support Legionella Prevention?

Optimized chiller operation contributes significantly to Legionella prevention:

  • Maintaining appropriate water velocities: Proper flow reduces biofilm formation opportunities.
  • Minimizing system downtime: Scheduled operations prevent extended stagnation.
  • Regular backwashing: Removes accumulated sediment and potential bacterial habitats.
  • Optimizing chemical feed systems: Ensures consistent biocide presence.

CET Enviro's comprehensive approach addresses both the mechanical and chemical aspects of chiller optimization, creating synergies between efficiency improvements and microbial control.

 

Integrating Technology and Best Practices

Effective Legionella prevention requires a multifaceted approach combining proper system design, regular maintenance, appropriate water treatment, and advanced monitoring. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide, facility managers can significantly reduce Legionella risks while simultaneously improving system efficiency and reducing operational costs.

The most successful prevention programs leverage technologies like automatic cleaning systems (ACCS™), specialized biofilm removal products (SBR™), and comprehensive monitoring (EMOS) to create layers of protection against Legionella colonization.

 

Conclusion: Ready to Enhance Your Cooling Tower Safety?

Don't wait for a Legionella issue to impact your facility's operations or, worse, public health. CET Enviro's team of specialists can help you develop and implement a comprehensive Legionella prevention strategy tailored to your specific system requirements.

Contact us today to schedule a cooling system audit or to learn more about our innovative solutions for maintaining clean, efficient, and safe cooling tower operations. Your proactive approach today prevents tomorrow's problems.

Optimizing Energy Efficiency of Cooling Towers

Optimizing Energy Efficiency of Cooling Towers: A Detailed Guide

May 3, 2025

In today's industrial landscape, the rising costs of energy and growing environmental concerns have placed efficiency at the forefront of operational priorities. Cooling towers, essential components in various industrial processes, are significant energy consumers that often fly under the radar when companies look for optimization opportunities.

With cooling systems accounting for up to 50% of energy usage in some facilities, even small efficiency improvements can translate into substantial cost savings and environmental benefits. This guide explores practical approaches to maximizing cooling tower efficiency while reducing operational expenses.

What Does Energy Efficiency Mean in Cooling Towers?

Energy efficiency in cooling towers refers to the system's ability to transfer heat effectively while consuming minimal power. In simple terms, it's about getting maximum cooling performance from every kilowatt-hour of electricity used.

Efficiency is typically measured by comparing the cooling output (heat rejection capacity) against the energy input required to achieve that cooling. A truly efficient cooling tower delivers consistent cooling performance with optimized water and electricity consumption.

The efficiency ratio is influenced by multiple factors, including equipment design, operational parameters, maintenance practices, and environmental conditions. Understanding these factors is the first step toward implementing effective optimization strategies.

 

Why Is It Important to Optimize Cooling Tower Energy Use?

Optimizing cooling tower energy efficiency delivers multiple advantages that extend beyond simple utility bill reduction:

 

Financial Benefits

  • Reduced electricity consumption translates directly to lower operational costs
  • Decreased maintenance expenses due to optimized system performance
  • Extended equipment lifespan, delaying capital replacement costs
  • Higher return on investment for cooling infrastructure

Environmental Advantages

  • Reduced carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions
  • Conservation of water resources through improved system efficiency
  • Minimized chemical usage and associated environmental impacts
  • Support for corporate sustainability goals and regulatory compliance

Operational Improvements

  • Enhanced system reliability and reduced downtime
  • Consistent cooling performance even during peak demand periods
  • Increased plant capacity and production capabilities
  • Improved overall facility energy management

What Reduces Cooling Tower Efficiency?

Several factors can significantly impact cooling tower performance and energy consumption:

Factor Impact on Efficiency Common Causes
Scaling & Fouling Reduces heat transfer by up to 30% Mineral deposits, biological growth, debris
Poor Airflow Decreases cooling capacity Fan issues, air recirculation, damaged drift eliminators
Water Distribution Problems Creates dry areas and reduces efficiency Clogged nozzles, uneven flow, pump issues
Inadequate Maintenance Accelerates deterioration Inconsistent service, reactive approach
Improper Chemical Treatment Increases scaling & corrosion Poor water‑quality management
System Imbalance Creates inefficient operation Improper commissioning, changing conditions

When these issues combine, the cumulative effect can drastically reduce system performance while significantly increasing energy consumption.

How to Optimize Cooling Tower Energy Efficiency

Implementing a comprehensive optimization approach involves addressing multiple system aspects:

 

1. Maintain Clean Heat Exchange Surfaces

  • Implement automatic tube cleaning systems like ACCS™ to prevent fouling
  • Establish regular inspection schedules for condensers and cooling towers
  • Monitor heat transfer efficiency indicators to identify cleaning needs

2. Optimize Water Treatment

  • Switch to non-chemical solutions such as SBR™ to eliminate biofilm and scaling
  • Maintain proper cycles of concentration for water conservation
  • Implement blowdown automation based on conductivity measurement

3. Improve Airflow Management

  • Clean or replace drift eliminators and fill material when damaged
  • Ensure proper fan operation and maintenance
  • Prevent air recirculation by addressing structural issues

4. Implement System Monitoring

  • Install energy monitoring systems to track real-time performance
  • Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for cooling efficiency
  • Analyze data trends to identify optimization opportunities

5. Optimize Control Systems

  • Implement variable frequency drives (VFDs) for fans and pumps
  • Develop advanced control algorithms based on wet-bulb temperature
  • Automate system operation to respond to changing conditions

Sample Energy Savings Calculation

Let's examine a real-world example of how efficiency improvements translate to tangible savings:

Scenario: A manufacturing plant with 500-ton cooling capacity operating 24/7

Before Optimization:

  • Average energy consumption: 0.85 kW/ton
  • Annual energy usage: 3,723,000 kWh
  • Annual energy cost (at ₹10/kWh): ₹37,230,000

2. After Optimization:

  • Average energy consumption: 0.65 kW/ton
  • Annual energy usage: 2,847,000 kWh
  • Annual energy cost: ₹28,470,000

3. Annual Savings:

  • Energy reduction: 876,000 kWh
  • Cost savings: ₹8,760,000
  • CO₂ emission reduction: 620 tonnes

These figures demonstrate that even a modest 23% efficiency improvement can deliver substantial financial and environmental benefits.

How to Monitor Cooling Tower Energy Use in Real Time

Modern monitoring solutions provide unprecedented visibility into cooling tower performance:

 

Benefits of Advanced Monitoring Systems

  • Continuous performance tracking against established baselines
  • Early detection of efficiency degradation
  • Data-driven maintenance planning
  • Verification of optimization results

CET-Enviro's Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) provides comprehensive insights into cooling system performance, allowing facility managers to identify inefficiencies before they impact operations. The system captures critical parameters including:

  • Energy consumption per ton of cooling
  • Heat transfer efficiency
  • Water usage and quality indicators
  • System response to varying load conditions

By analyzing these metrics, operators can make informed decisions about maintenance priorities and optimization strategies.

 

Common Mistakes That Hurt Cooling Tower Efficiency

Avoiding these frequent pitfalls can significantly improve system performance:

❌ Reactive maintenance approach

✅ Implement predictive maintenance based on performance data

❌ Inconsistent water treatment

✅ Deploy automated water treatment systems

❌ Operating without performance monitoring

✅ Install comprehensive monitoring solutions

❌ Ignoring small efficiency losses

✅ Address minor issues before they compound

❌ One-time optimization efforts

✅ Establish continuous improvement programs

How CET-Enviro Helps Improve Cooling Tower Efficiency

CET-Enviro offers integrated solutions that address the core challenges of cooling tower efficiency:

With over 2,000 installations across four continents, CET-Enviro has helped clients save approximately 1.3 billion kWh of energy and reduce CO₂ emissions by more than 1.1 million tonnes.

 

Conclusion: Making Efficiency a Priority

Optimizing cooling tower efficiency is no longer optional for industrial facilities facing rising energy costs and increasing environmental regulations. The technologies and methodologies outlined in this guide provide a clear pathway to significant improvements in both performance and sustainability.

By implementing comprehensive monitoring, automated cleaning systems, and advanced water treatment solutions, facilities can achieve substantial energy savings while extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

Want to cut energy costs and extend the life of your cooling tower? Let CET-Enviro help you get there—smarter, cleaner, and faster. Our team of experts can analyze your current system performance and identify specific optimization opportunities for your facility.

Contact CET-Enviro today to begin your journey toward more efficient, sustainable cooling operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should cooling towers be cleaned for optimal efficiency?

Most industrial cooling towers require cleaning every 3-6 months. Automated systems like ACCS™ can maintain cleanliness continuously between scheduled cleanings.

2. What's the typical ROI timeframe for cooling tower efficiency upgrades?

Most efficiency investments achieve ROI within 12-24 months. Solutions like SBR™ and ACCS™ often deliver faster payback due to immediate energy savings.

3. Can non-chemical water treatment solutions effectively prevent scaling?

Yes, solutions like SBR™ effectively control scaling and biofilm without chemicals by using physical processes that prevent mineral deposition.

4. What are the first signs of decreasing cooling tower efficiency?

Rising approach temperatures, increased energy consumption, unusual noise, and higher makeup water requirements. EMOS can detect these early changes.

5. How much can efficient cooling towers reduce facility energy consumption?

For most facilities, optimizing cooling tower efficiency reduces overall energy consumption by 5-15%, significantly impacting monthly utility costs.

Cooling Tower Efficiency

How to Calculate Cooling Tower Efficiency?

May 2, 2025

In today's industrial landscape, optimizing cooling tower performance isn't just good practice—it's essential for controlling operational costs and meeting environmental goals. Whether you manage a power plant, manufacturing facility, or commercial building, understanding cooling tower efficiency can lead to significant energy savings and extended equipment life.

At CET-Enviro, we've helped over 500 customers across four continents improve their cooling systems' performance. But before implementing solutions, you need to know how to measure efficiency accurately. Let's explore how to calculate cooling tower efficiency and why it matters for your facility.

What Is Cooling Tower Efficiency?

Cooling tower efficiency refers to how effectively a cooling tower transfers heat from water to the surrounding air. In simple terms, it measures how close your cooling tower comes to cooling the water to the theoretical minimum temperature possible under current atmospheric conditions.

This efficiency is expressed as a percentage, with higher percentages indicating better heat transfer performance. When someone asks, "What is meant by cooling tower efficiency?" they're essentially asking how well the tower performs its primary function—rejecting heat from industrial processes to the atmosphere.

 

Why Is It Important to Measure Efficiency?

Understanding your cooling tower's efficiency creates multiple advantages for your operation:

  • Energy savings and cost reduction: An efficient cooling tower requires less energy to achieve the same cooling effect, directly impacting your bottom line. Even a 5% improvement in efficiency can translate to thousands in annual savings for large systems.
  • Environmental compliance: As regulations tighten globally, optimizing cooling systems helps meet sustainability targets and reduce your carbon footprint. Efficient systems use less water and energy, contributing to green initiatives.
  • Extended equipment lifespan: Systems operating at optimal efficiency experience less strain, reducing maintenance needs and extending the useful life of expensive equipment. This postpones capital expenditures and improves return on investment.

CET-Enviro's Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) helps facilities track these efficiency metrics in real-time, while solutions like COLTCS optimize condenser performance in power generation applications.

Key Parameters in Cooling Tower Efficiency Calculation

To calculate cooling tower efficiency, you need to understand three critical temperature measurements:

Parameter Definition Importance
Hot Water Temperature Temperature of water entering the cooling tower Represents heat load from your process
Cold Water Temperature Temperature of water leaving the cooling tower Shows cooling performance
Wet Bulb Temperature Temperature reading from a thermometer covered with a water-soaked cloth with air passing over it Represents the theoretical cooling limit

The relationship between these parameters determines your cooling tower's efficiency. But what factors affect cooling tower efficiency? Beyond these temperature readings, efficiency is influenced by airflow distribution, water distribution, fill material condition, and atmospheric conditions.

The Formula: How to Calculate Cooling Tower Efficiency

The industry-standard formula for calculating cooling tower efficiency is:

Efficiency (%) = [(Hot Water Temp – Cold Water Temp) / (Hot Water Temp – Wet Bulb Temp)] × 100

This formula, known as the approach-to-range ratio, compares the actual cooling achieved against the theoretical maximum cooling possible.

Here's how to perform the calculation:

1. Measure the temperature of water entering the tower (hot water)

2. Measure the temperature of water leaving the tower (cold water)

3. Determine the current wet bulb temperature using a psychrometer

4. Plug these values into the formula

Example Calculation:

  • Hot Water Temperature: 95°F
  • Cold Water Temperature: 85°F
  • Wet Bulb Temperature: 78°F

Efficiency = [(95 - 85) / (95 - 78)] × 100 = (10/17) × 100 = 58.8%

This percentage tells you how effectively your tower is operating relative to ideal conditions.

What Is a Good Cooling Tower Efficiency?

A well-maintained conventional cooling tower typically operates at 70-80% efficiency. Modern, high-performance towers can achieve efficiencies of 75-85% under optimal conditions.

What is considered high efficiency for a cooling tower? Generally, anything above 80% is excellent, indicating your system is performing near its theoretical maximum capability.

However, efficiency values should be interpreted within context. Factors like tower design, age, climate, and application all influence what constitutes "good" efficiency for your specific situation. Consistently tracking efficiency over time often proves more valuable than focusing on a single benchmark.

 

Common Issues That Reduce Efficiency

Several problems can degrade cooling tower efficiency, costing you money and compromising performance:

1. Scale and mineral deposits form when dissolved solids in circulating water precipitate onto heat transfer surfaces. Even a thin layer of scale (1/16") can reduce heat transfer efficiency by 12-15%.

2. Biological growth and biofilm create insulating barriers that impede heat transfer and can lead to microbiologically influenced corrosion, damaging system components.

3. Mechanical issues like uneven water distribution, clogged nozzles, or damaged fill material disrupt the critical air-water interface where cooling occurs.

4. Fouled condenser tubes in chillers and power plants significantly reduce system efficiency, requiring more energy to achieve the same cooling effect.

CET-Enviro's Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS™) and Scale & Bio Remover (SBR™) directly address these issues, maintaining optimal heat transfer surfaces throughout your cooling system.

How to Improve Cooling Tower Efficiency

Implementing these strategies can significantly boost your cooling tower's performance:

1. Implement regular maintenance programs that include inspections, cleaning, and mechanical adjustments. Scheduled preventive maintenance costs significantly less than emergency repairs.

2. Install automated cleaning systems like CET-Enviro's ACCS™ that continuously prevent scaling and fouling in condenser tubes, maintaining optimal heat transfer without chemicals or system shutdown.

3. Adopt non-chemical water treatment such as SBR™ technology that controls biofilm formation and scaling in cooling towers without harmful chemicals, reducing environmental impact while improving efficiency.

4. Monitor performance in real-time using systems like EMOS to identify efficiency drops before they become significant problems, enabling proactive rather than reactive management.

Approach Benefits Limitations
Manual Cleaning Lower initial cost Labor-intensive, requires shutdown
Chemical Treatment Effective for some contaminants Environmental impact, ongoing costs
Automated Systems Continuous protection, no downtime Higher initial investment
Real-time Monitoring Early problem detection Requires proper implementation

 

How CET-Enviro Helps Optimize Cooling Tower Efficiency?

CET-Enviro offers specialized solutions that address the exact challenges discussed above:

Our ACCS™ technology continuously cleans condenser tubes, preventing fouling and scaling that would otherwise reduce heat transfer efficiency. With over 2,000 installations worldwide, this system has proven to maintain optimal efficiency while reducing energy consumption by up to 30%.

The SBR™ system eliminates the need for chemical treatment in cooling towers by using innovative technology to control scale and microbial growth. This approach not only improves efficiency but also aligns with sustainability goals by reducing chemical discharge.

For power plants, our COLTCS solution maintains condenser efficiency during operation, eliminating the need for outages and maximizing power generation capacity.

Our Energy Monitoring Systems provide real-time data on cooling system performance, allowing facility managers to track efficiency metrics and identify optimization opportunities immediately.

 

Conclusion

Calculating and monitoring cooling tower efficiency is essential for optimizing industrial operations, reducing costs, and meeting environmental goals. By understanding the formula, key parameters, and factors affecting performance, you can make informed decisions about maintenance and improvements.

CET-Enviro's comprehensive approach to cooling system optimization addresses efficiency at every level—from automated cleaning and non-chemical treatment to real-time monitoring and specialized solutions for specific industries.

Need help boosting your cooling tower's efficiency? Contact CET-Enviro today for custom-engineered solutions that deliver measurable results. Our technologies have helped clients save over 1.3 billion kWh of energy and reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 1.1 million tonnes while extending equipment life and reducing operational costs.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How often should I calculate cooling tower efficiency?

Monthly measurements are standard for most facilities. Increase to weekly for critical operations or after major system changes.

2. Can weather conditions affect cooling tower efficiency?

Yes, higher humidity reduces evaporation potential. Seasonal wet bulb temperature changes mean efficiency targets should be adjusted throughout the year.

3. What instruments do I need to measure cooling tower temperatures accurately?

Calibrated digital thermometers (±0.5°F accuracy) and a quality psychrometer for wet bulb readings. CET-Enviro's EMOS automates these measurements.

4. How much can efficiency improvements save in energy costs?

A 10% efficiency improvement typically reduces cooling system energy use by 2-5%. For large systems, this can save $5,000-$15,000 annually.

5. What's the difference between approach and range in cooling tower performance?

Range is hot minus cold water temperature. Approach is cold water minus wet bulb temperature. Both are essential for efficiency calculations.

Types of Cooling Towers

Types, Working Principles, and Applications of Cooling Towers

May 1, 2025

In the world of industrial operations, efficient heat management is crucial for maintaining productivity, ensuring equipment longevity, and minimizing environmental impact. An essential element in many industrial cooling systems is the cooling tower – specialized heat rejection devices that play a crucial role across various sectors. As a leader in sustainable cooling solutions, CET-Enviro brings you this comprehensive guide to understanding cooling towers, their functionality, and applications.

What Is a Cooling Tower?

A cooling tower is a specialized heat exchange system that removes heat from water using evaporative cooling. In simple terms, it's a device that cools down hot water coming from industrial equipment or HVAC systems by using the natural process of evaporation.

These towers work on the principle that when water evaporates, it absorbs heat from its surroundings. This creates a cooling effect that's both energy-efficient and effective for managing large heat loads in industrial settings.

Think of a cooling tower as the industrial equivalent of sweating – when your body sweats, the evaporation of moisture from your skin helps cool you down. Cooling towers do the same thing, but on a much larger scale for industrial equipment.

 

Why Are Cooling Towers Important in Industries?

1. Energy Efficiency Boosters

Cooling towers significantly reduce the energy consumption of industrial processes by providing an efficient way to dissipate waste heat. By maintaining optimal operating temperatures, they help equipment run more efficiently, reducing power consumption and operational costs.

2. Critical for Process Cooling

Many industrial processes generate substantial heat that must be removed to prevent equipment damage and ensure product quality. Cooling towers provide a reliable method for managing this heat, especially in continuous operations.

3. Environmentally Responsible Solution

When properly maintained, cooling towers represent an environmentally sound approach to industrial cooling. They use water – a renewable resource – rather than chemicals for heat transfer, making them aligned with sustainable industrial practices.

4. Regulatory Compliance

With increasingly strict environmental regulations regarding thermal discharge, cooling towers help industries meet compliance requirements by managing heat rejection in an approved manner.

How Many Types of Cooling Towers Are There?

Cooling towers come in various designs, each suited to specific applications and requirements. Let's explore the main types:

1. Natural Draft Cooling Towers

How they work: These massive, hyperbolic structures use the natural stack effect – warm air rises through the tower, drawing in cooler air at the base.

Best for: Large power plants and facilities with consistent, high heat loads.

Advantages:

  • No mechanical components required for air movement
  • Lower operational costs
  • Reduced noise levels
  • Lower maintenance requirements

Limitations:

  • Enormous physical size (can be over 200m tall)
  • High initial construction costs
  • Less control over cooling performance

2. Mechanical Draft Cooling Towers

These towers use fans to move air through the system, offering more control over the cooling process. They come in two main varieties:

Forced Draft Cooling Towers

How they work: Fans located at the air inlet push air through the tower.

Best for: Smaller industrial applications with space constraints.

Advantages:

  • Compact design
  • Good performance in confined spaces
  • Works well in low ambient temperatures

Limitations:

  • Potential for recirculation of humid air
  • Higher fan power requirements
  • Increased potential for freezing in cold climates

Induced Draft Cooling Towers

How they work: Fans located at the air outlet pull air through the tower.

Best for: Medium to large industrial facilities with varying heat loads.

Advantages:

  • Reduced air recirculation problems
  • More uniform air distribution
  • Better performance in varying conditions

Limitations:

  • Higher initial cost
  • More maintenance required for fan systems

3. Crossflow vs. Counterflow Cooling Towers

These classifications refer to the direction of air flow relative to water flow:

Crossflow towers: Air flows horizontally across falling water

  • Easier access for maintenance
  • Lower pumping head requirements
  • Better suited for dirty water applications

Counterflow towers: Air flows vertically upward, counter to the falling water

  • More efficient heat transfer
  • Smaller footprint
  • Better performance in cold weather

4. Closed-Circuit Cooling Towers

Also known as fluid coolers, these systems keep the process fluid contained in a closed loop, preventing contamination.

Best for: Applications requiring clean water and protection from contamination.

Advantages:

  • Prevents process fluid contamination
  • Reduces water treatment requirements
  • Minimizes scaling and fouling issues

How Does a Cooling Tower Work? The Working Principle Explained

Understanding the step-by-step process of how cooling towers function helps appreciate their elegance and efficiency:

1. Heat Collection: Hot water from industrial processes or HVAC systems enters the cooling tower.

2. Water Distribution: The water is distributed across fill material (special packing with large surface area) using spray nozzles or distribution basins.

3. Air-Water Contact: As water flows down through the fill, it comes into contact with upward or cross-flowing air.

4. Evaporation Process: A small portion of the water evaporates (typically 1-3%), absorbing heat in the process.

5. Heat Transfer: This evaporation removes heat from the remaining water, cooling it down.

6. Water Collection: The cooled water collects in a basin at the tower's bottom.

7. Recirculation: The cooled water is then pumped back to the heat source to absorb more heat, continuing the cycle.

8. Drift Elimination: Specialized "drift eliminators" catch water droplets that might otherwise be carried away by the airflow, conserving water.

This process effectively transfers heat from the water to the atmosphere, primarily through evaporation rather than simple heat exchange. This makes cooling towers particularly efficient for industrial cooling applications.

Which Industries Rely on Cooling Towers?

Cooling towers find applications across numerous industries where heat management is critical:

1. Power Generation

In power plants, cooling towers dissipate the heat from steam condensers, enabling efficient electricity generation. Both conventional and nuclear power plants rely heavily on cooling tower systems.

2. Oil and Gas Processing

Refineries and petrochemical plants use cooling towers to manage heat in distillation processes, catalytic crackers, and other heat-intensive operations.

3. Chemical Manufacturing

Chemical reactions often generate significant heat that must be removed to maintain process control and product quality. Cooling towers provide the necessary cooling capacity for these applications.

4. Steel and Metal Processing

Metal production and processing generate intense heat that cooling towers help manage, ensuring equipment longevity and product consistency.

5. Food and Beverage Production

From dairy processing to brewing, cooling towers help maintain precise temperatures needed for food safety and quality.

6. HVAC in Commercial Buildings

Large commercial buildings use cooling towers as part of their air conditioning systems, particularly in water-cooled chiller applications.

7. Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical processes rely on cooling towers to maintain precise environmental conditions.

 

What Are Common Cooling Tower Problems (And Their Solutions)?

Despite their efficiency, cooling towers face several operational challenges that require attention:

1. Scaling and Fouling

Problem: Mineral deposits and biological growth reduce heat transfer efficiency.

Solution: CET-Enviro's Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS™) and Scale & Bio Remover (SBR™) technologies prevent scaling and biofouling, maintaining optimal heat transfer performance without harmful chemicals.

2. Biological Contamination

Problem: Cooling towers can harbor bacteria like Legionella if not properly maintained.

Solution: CET-Enviro's non-chemical water treatment solutions ensure biological safety while eliminating the need for hazardous chemicals, supporting both health compliance and environmental responsibility.

3. Water Consumption

Problem: Traditional cooling towers can consume significant amounts of water through evaporation and blowdown.

Solution: Modern water management systems, including CET-Enviro's comprehensive monitoring approach, optimize water usage and minimize waste.

4. Energy Inefficiency

Problem: Fouled systems require more energy to achieve the same cooling effect.

Solution: CET-Enviro's Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) provides real-time data on cooling system performance, allowing for prompt interventions and optimization of energy usage.

How CET-Enviro Enhances Cooling Tower Performance

With over 2,000 installations across four continents, CET-Enviro has established itself as a leader in sustainable cooling solutions. Our approach to cooling tower optimization includes:

Non-Chemical Water Treatment

Our SBR™ technology eliminates the need for chemical dosing in cooling towers, reducing environmental impact while maintaining system efficiency. This approach has helped our clients save over 5 million cubic meters of water.

Automated Cleaning Systems

The ACCS™ system prevents fouling in heat exchange surfaces, maintaining optimal thermal performance and extending equipment life. This technology has helped conserve over 1.3 billion kWh of energy across our installations.

Power Plant Solutions

Our Power Plant Condenser Onload Tube Cleaning System (COLTCS) specifically addresses the unique challenges of power generation facilities, enabling consistent performance without production interruptions.

Comprehensive Performance Monitoring

CET-Enviro's Energy Monitoring System provides the data-driven insights needed to make informed decisions about cooling system operation, helping identify optimization opportunities and verify results.

 

Conclusion: The Future of Cooling Tower Technology

As industries continue to focus on sustainability and efficiency, cooling tower technology will remain at the forefront of industrial cooling solutions. By implementing advanced maintenance systems like those offered by CET-Enviro, facilities can significantly reduce water consumption, energy usage, and environmental impact while improving operational reliability.

Looking to optimize your cooling tower performance? Contact CET-Enviro today for expert solutions that deliver measurable environmental benefits and substantial return on investment. Our technologies don't just solve problems – they transform cooling systems into models of sustainable industrial operation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooling Towers

1. How often should cooling towers be maintained?

Cooling towers should undergo routine maintenance monthly, with more comprehensive inspections quarterly and major service annually. However, automated systems like CET-Enviro's ACCS™ can significantly reduce manual maintenance requirements.

2. What is the typical efficiency of a cooling tower?

Modern cooling towers typically operate at 70-80% efficiency, though this can be significantly improved with proper maintenance and optimization technologies.

3. Can cooling towers operate in freezing conditions?

Yes, with proper winterization measures including basin heaters, temperature controls, and in some cases, enclosed designs.

4. How long do cooling towers typically last?

The average lifespan ranges from 15-25 years, though with advanced maintenance systems like those from CET-Enviro, this can be extended considerably while maintaining optimal performance.

Energy Efficiency with a Condenser

How to Improve Energy Efficiency with a Condenser?

April 7, 2025

Are you looking to reduce energy costs in your cooling system? The condenser might be your secret weapon. This crucial component releases heat from your system and directly impacts your energy consumption and operating costs.

Smart condenser management is more than just a cost-saving measure—it’s a strategy for building sustainable, long-lasting cooling systems. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore practical strategies to improve your condenser’s efficiency, whether you manage a commercial building, hospital, or industrial facility.

 

What is a Condenser and How Does it Affect Energy Usage?

A condenser is the heat-rejection component in refrigeration, air conditioning, and power generation systems. It transforms refrigerant vapor into liquid by removing heat, which is then expelled to the surrounding environment.

When a condenser operates inefficiently, the entire system must work harder—consuming more energy and increasing costs. Even small improvements in condenser performance can result in substantial energy savings.

Types of Condensers You Should Know About

Different applications require different condenser types. Understanding your options is the first step toward optimization:

Here’s the table in clean, readable format:

Condenser Type Best Applications Energy Efficiency Potential
Air-cooled Limited water availability, smaller systems Moderate; improved with proper airflow
Water-cooled Large commercial buildings, industrial settings High; requires water management
Evaporative Moderate climate regions, industrial use Very high; combines water and air cooling
Microchannel Space-constrained applications, modern HVAC systems Very high; reduced refrigerant volume

 

Each type presents unique opportunities for energy optimization—let's explore how to maximize efficiency for your specific system.

How Can Regular Maintenance Transform Your Condenser's Performance?

Regular maintenance isn't just a preventive measure—it's an active efficiency strategy. Dust, debris, and corrosion are efficiency killers that progressively degrade performance and increase energy consumption.

A well-maintained condenser can operate up to 30% more efficiently than a neglected one. Here's what your maintenance schedule should include:

  • Weekly visual inspections to catch early signs of problems
  • Monthly cleaning of exterior surfaces to remove debris
  • Quarterly coil cleaning to ensure optimal heat transfer
  • Bi-annual comprehensive maintenance including fan motor inspection
  • Annual professional assessment to identify optimization opportunities

Simple Maintenance Tips for Immediate Efficiency Gains

These simple maintenance steps can deliver immediate efficiency improvements:

1. Clear vegetation and debris within 3 feet (0.91 m) of air-cooled condensers

2. Clean condenser coils with appropriate cleaners (avoid high-pressure washing that might damage fins)

3. Check and straighten bent condenser fins with a fin comb

4. Verify fan operation and lubricate bearings as needed

5. Inspect for and repair any refrigerant leaks promptly

Why is Proper Airflow Crucial for Condenser Efficiency?

For air-cooled condensers, unrestricted airflow is absolutely fundamental. When air can't flow freely, heat exchange becomes inefficient, forcing the system to work harder and consume more energy.

Studies show that improving airflow can enhance efficiency by up to 25% without any other system modifications. Let's look at practical ways to maximize airflow:

Strategic Placement and Design for Optimal Airflow

Smart positioning is convenience and performance:

  • Maintain minimum clearances of 3–5 feet on all sides of air-cooled units
  • Install units away from walls that could cause air recirculation
  • Consider prevailing wind direction when positioning outdoor units
  • Use airflow directors or baffles to prevent short cycling
  • Elevate ground-level units to reduce dust and debris intake

What Technological Upgrades Can Revolutionize Your Condenser Efficiency?

Are older condensers inevitably energy-inefficient? Not with the right upgrades. Modern technology offers multiple pathways to transform even aging systems.

The evolution of condenser technology has created opportunities to significantly reduce energy consumption without complete system replacement. Strategic upgrades can deliver both immediate and long-term efficiency benefits.

 

High-Efficiency Designs Worth Considering

Today's advanced condensers utilize innovative designs that maximize heat transfer while minimizing energy use:

Technology Efficiency Improvement Best Applications ROI Timeframe
Microchannel condensers 15-20% Replacement projects, new installations 2-3 years
Enhanced tube designs 10-15% System upgrades, retrofits 3-4 years
Adiabatic pre-cooling 20-30% Hot climate regions, peak demand reduction 2-5 years
Low-charge systems 5-10% Environmentally sensitive applications 3-4 years

 

How Variable Speed Drives Transform Energy Usage

Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) adjust fan speeds based on real-time conditions, avoiding energy waste from full-capacity operation.

VSDs can reduce fan energy use by 30–50% and offer added benefits:

  • Less mechanical wear due to fewer start/stop cycles
  • Lower noise during partial loads
  • Extended system lifespan from gentler operation
  • Improved temperature control through precise adjustments
  • Reduced peak demand charges from lower maximum draw

Why Is Refrigerant Management Essential for Energy Efficiency?

Could the invisible refrigerant flowing through your system be silently driving up energy costs? The answer is frequently yes.

Optimal refrigerant charge is crucial for condenser performance. Even small deviations can significantly impact energy efficiency and system reliability.

Signs Your Refrigerant Charge Needs Attention

Watch for these indicators of improper refrigerant charge:

  • Higher than normal energy consumption
  • Inconsistent cooling performance
  • Unusual frost patterns on refrigerant lines
  • Unexpected compressor cycling
  • Abnormal operating pressures

Annual refrigerant checks using superheat and subcooling values are the most reliable way to verify charge accuracy.

How Can Water Quality Impact Your Condenser's Efficiency?

Why do some water-cooled systems maintain peak efficiency while others degrade rapidly? Water quality often makes the critical difference.

In water-cooled condensers, scale buildup of just 0.1 inches (2.54 mm) can increase energy consumption by up to 30%. Proper water treatment isn't optional—it's essential for maintaining efficiency.

Effective Water Management Strategies

To prevent scaling and preserve performance:

  • Use chemical treatment programs suited to your water chemistry
  • Install automatic blowdown systems to remove dissolved solids
  • Explore non-chemical options like CET Enviro’s Scale & Bio Remover
  • Monitor conductivity and pH regularly
  • Clean condenser tubes with brushing or mechanical methods

Can Heat Recovery Transform Waste into Value?

What if the heat your condenser rejects could become a valuable resource? With heat recovery systems, this transformation becomes possible.

Heat recovery represents one of the most underutilized opportunities in condenser efficiency. By capturing and repurposing rejected heat, you can dramatically improve overall system efficiency.

Practical Applications for Recovered Heat

Consider these valuable uses for heat that would otherwise be wasted:

  • Preheating domestic hot water supply
  • Space heating in colder seasons
  • Process water preheating for industrial applications
  • Desiccant regeneration in dehumidification systems
  • Snow melting for entryways and walkways

Even recovering a portion of rejected heat can significantly improve overall system efficiency and reduce auxiliary heating costs.

How Do Smart Controls Unlock Maximum Efficiency?

Can your condensers automatically adapt to changing conditions? With today's advanced controls, the answer is a definitive yes.

Modern building automation systems bring unprecedented capabilities for optimizing condenser performance. Real-time monitoring and intelligent control strategies ensure your system always operates at peak efficiency regardless of conditions.

Smart Control Strategies That Deliver Results

These control approaches consistently deliver substantial energy savings:

1. Floating head pressure control - Adjusts condenser pressure based on ambient conditions

2. Demand-based sequencing - Activates only the capacity needed for current loads

3. Predictive maintenance algorithms - Identify efficiency degradation before it becomes costly

4. Weather-responsive operation - Anticipates changing conditions to optimize performance

5. Peak-demand management - Reduces operation during high-cost utility periods

Why Choose CET Enviro for Your Condenser Efficiency Needs?

Looking for a proven partner in condenser efficiency? CET Enviro's track record speaks for itself.

With over 2,000 installations across four continents, CET Enviro specializes in transforming cooling system performance. Our solutions have saved approximately 5 million cubic meters of water and over 1.36 billion kilowatt-hours of energy.

Our Specialized Solutions for Condenser Efficiency

CET Enviro offers comprehensive technologies designed to maximize condenser performance:

 

Conclusion

Even modest improvements in condenser efficiency can lead to significant long-term benefits. For commercial buildings, hospitals, and industrial systems alike, condensers are one of the most powerful levers for reducing energy costs and environmental impact.

Contact CET Enviro today to learn how our specialized solutions can help you improve performance, lower consumption, and extend equipment life.

The Importance of Non-Chemical Water Treatment in Cooling Towers

March 29, 2025

Water covers 71% of our planet, but only 1% can be used for basic needs like drinking, washing, and cooling water systems. This lack of usable water makes the quickest way to manage industrial water more important than ever.

Companies are looking for green alternatives because of the ban on chemical waters and its negative impact on the environment. Many facilities have found that non-chemical water treatment methods work well and avoid the environmental issues that come with regular chemical treatments.

Let's look at how non-chemical cooling tower water treatment works and what makes it better than traditional methods. You'll see why smart facilities choose this option more often.

What is Non-Chemical Water Treatment?

Non-chemical water treatment marks a fundamental change from traditional cooling tower maintenance. This approach doesn't need conventional chemical additives. It uses physical and mechanical processes that deliver the same or better results.

The method works on three main goals: preventing scale formation, reducing corrosion, and controlling microbial growth. Different innovative technologies help achieve these goals in the treatment process.

 

Proven Non-chemical Treatment Methods

1. UV Light Treatment

Special mechanical equipment uses ultraviolet light to scramble microorganism DNA. This stops bacterial growth effectively.

2. Ozone Systems

Three-oxygen-atom compounds break down to create reactive oxygen. This removes iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide while working as an oxidizing biocide.

3. Copper Ionization

This process, also known as magnetism or electrostatic treatment, uses low-voltage electrical currents. It releases copper ions that tackle both microbial growth and mineral scaling.

4. Electrodeionization (EDI)

This technology uses electrical charges to split water compounds into cations and anions. These ions then pass through semipermeable membranes to be removed.

5. Pulsed-Power Technology

Brief, high-frequency pulses prevent scale formation and kill bacteria through electrical charges.

These banned substances include chromate, molybdate, chlorine, phosphates, and various bromine compounds.

Most non-chemical systems work best when water goes through pre-filtration before entering the cooling tower system. On top of that, some methods like ozone treatment might need post-filtration to remove bound solids.

Why Switch to Non-Chemical Water Treatment?

Non-chemical water treatment gives cooling tower operators many compelling advantages. Here's a look at the key benefits that make this switch worth considering.

1. Environmental Benefits

Traditional chemical treatments pose serious environmental risks. These conventional methods release harmful substances that damage aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.

With cooling tower chemicals like chromate, molybdate, chlorine, phosphates, and bromine compounds now banned in all but one of the U.S. states, non-chemical alternatives are the responsible choice.

2. Cost Savings and Efficiency Improvements

Non-chemical treatment systems deliver substantial financial benefits. Organizations can expect:

  • 1. Water usage reduction of 20-40%
  • 2. Energy cost savings of 5-15%
  • 3. Labor cost reduction of 10-50%
  • 4. Complete elimination of chemical expenses
  • 5. Reduction in STP costs by 10 USD per cubic meter where cooling tower blow-down water goes directly to STP

These systems run at double or triple the cycles of concentration compared to chemical methods. This higher efficiency creates major operational savings through lower water and energy consumption.

3. Reduced Maintenance and Downtime

Non-chemical treatment systems make maintenance much simpler. Facilities no longer need to:

  • 1. File hazardous material reports
  • 2. Maintain chemical storage facilities
  • 3. Handle spill containment preparations
  • 4. Manage chemical transportation logistics

Equipment lasts longer without harsh chemicals that cause corrosion and component degradation. This means fewer repairs and less system downtime.

AOT (Advanced Oxidation Technology) helps maintain consistent water quality with minimal oversight. The treatment process stays stable and reliable, which eliminates the monitoring challenges you typically see with chemical treatments.

The workplace becomes safer by removing hazardous substance exposure risks. This improved safety, combined with no chemical storage and handling needs, helps facilities run more smoothly.

How Non-Chemical Water Treatment Works?

Physical processes have become powerful alternatives to traditional chemical treatments in cooling tower water management. These innovative approaches use fundamental principles of physics and electrochemistry to maintain optimal water quality.

1. Physical Water Treatment Technologies

Non-chemical treatment's life-blood lies in electrochemical processes. Water passing through an electric field causes positively and negatively charged ions to experience opposing forces that increase their kinetic energy. This improved molecular movement creates calcium carbonate crystals in suspension rather than hard scale deposits.

Magnetic treatment systems use permanent or electromagnetic fields to modify water particles' surface charge. These systems work well for pipes under 3 inches (7.62 cm) in diameter. Scale-forming ions react on particle surfaces and create powdered calcium carbonate that settles in tower basins.

Electrolytic scale removal stands out as another breakthrough technology. The method produces hydroxide ions at the cathode and creates localized high pH zones that trigger controlled precipitation of calcium and magnesium salts.

These minerals then form manageable deposits within the treatment chamber instead of critical heat exchange surfaces.

2. Filtration and Other Innovative Methods

Advanced filtration systems remove suspended solids and organic matter. Side-stream filtration processes a portion of circulating water and manages drift contamination and process leaks.

Several innovative technologies complement simple filtration:

  • 1. Hydrodynamic Cavitation: This method creates high-pressure and high-temperature micro-zones through rotating slotted disks that force dissolved calcium and carbonate ions to form colloidal crystals.
  • 2. Pulsed-Power Treatment: High-frequency pulses recast minerals and eliminate bacteria simultaneously.
  • 3. Electrodeionization (EDI): Electrical charges separate compounds into cations and anions that pass through semipermeable membranes for removal.

Most systems need pre-filtration of incoming water to work well. Some methods, particularly ozone treatment, require additional post-filtration to remove bound solids. This all-encompassing approach will give consistent water quality without chemical additives.

Comparison of Chemical vs. Non-Chemical Water Treatment

Choosing between chemical and non-chemical cooling tower treatments needs a clear understanding of how they work and perform. Recent studies show significant differences in their efficiency, environmental effects, and running costs.

Many companies still use traditional chemical treatments, despite their downsides. These systems work with substances like chlorine, bromine, isothiazolinone, phosphonate, and molybdate. Chemical treatments give quick results but come with several challenges:

Comparison Table
Aspect Chemical Treatment Non-chemical Treatment
Environmental Impact Higher CO2 Emissions (868.30 Kg CO2/Year RT) Minimal Environmental Footprint
Water Usage Higher Blowdown Rates 20-40% Decrease In Consumption
Energy Efficiency Lower Chiller Efficiency 5-15% Reduction In Energy Costs
Maintenance Costs Regular Chemical Purchases 10-50% Reduction In Labor Costs
Safety Concerns Chemical Storage and Handling Risks No Hazardous Material Reports Required

Water hardness levels play a crucial role in treatment selection. Non-chemical treatments work best with pre-filtered water and might need extra equipment in areas with hard water. Research proves well-designed non-chemical systems match or exceed chemical treatments in preventing scale and controlling corrosion.

The biggest difference lies in how they handle microbiological control. Chemical treatments focus on prevention, while non-chemical methods tackle ongoing treatment. This becomes especially important for facilities that already face significant microbiological growth problems.

 

Industries Benefiting from Non-Chemical Water Treatment

Non-chemical water treatment solutions have shown remarkable success in cooling tower operations across many sectors. Let's take a closer look at how different industries get better results with these innovative approaches.

1. Power Plants

Power generation facilities deal with unique challenges in cooling tower management. A power plant in the Pacific Northwest got outstanding results after it switched to non-chemical treatment:

  • 1. Bacteria counts dropped by 90%
  • 2. Biocide use decreased by 50%
  • 3. Heat rate stayed consistent
  • 4. Chemical costs went down by six figures annually

2. HVAC and Commercial Buildings

Cooling towers are essential for air conditioning systems in commercial facilities. One hotel's switch to non-chemical treatment tells a compelling story:

  • 1. Boiler blowdown waste dropped by 62%
  • 2. Water savings reached 940,000 gallons (3,558.29 m³) per year
  • 3. Chemical costs decreased by INR 843,804.51 annually

The team completed installation in under eight hours without any disruption to hotel operations.

3. Hospitals and Hotels

Healthcare facilities need top water quality while avoiding risks from chemical exposure. A hospital's major redevelopment in 2011 included non-chemical treatment for its water supply. The results exceeded expectations:

  • 1. Legionella elimination hit 99.999%
  • 2. Pseudomonas remained undetected
  • 3. Maintenance needs stayed minimal
  • 4. Microbiological control worked perfectly throughout the building

4. Industrial Manufacturing

Manufacturing facilities see major benefits from non-chemical treatment systems:

  • 1. Scale buildup dropped to near zero
  • 2. Maintenance costs decreased substantially
  • 3. Equipment lasted longer
  • 4. Operations became more efficient

This technology works exceptionally well for complex industrial processes and offers solutions for:

  • 1. Basic water conditioning
  • 2. Sewage plant treatment
  • 3. Nuclear power plant cooling
  • 4. Reverse osmosis system protection

These systems adapt well to different applications, and some facilities report water usage dropping by up to 20%. Workers stay safer without chemical storage and handling requirements, which leads to streamlined operations.

Conclusion

Non-chemical water treatment has proven itself as a game-changer for modern cooling tower operations. The numbers speak for themselves - users save 20-40% on water costs and cut energy expenses by 5-15%. Chemical costs vanish completely. These systems make workplaces safer and keep harmful chemicals out of our environment.

Real results tell the story. Power plants, hospitals, hotels, and manufacturing facilities have seen amazing outcomes with these solutions. Their success shows in the numbers - bacteria counts drop by 90% and yearly water savings reach 940,000 gallons (3,558.29 m³). No wonder facility managers are making the switch to chemical-free options.

Want a greener way to boost your cooling tower's performance? Get CET Enviro's non-chemical water treatment solutions that match your needs.

Get in touch with us today for a consultation!

 

FAQs

1. What is the purpose of treating water in a cooling tower?

Cooling towers require water treatment to prevent scale buildup, corrosion, and microbial growth, ensuring optimal efficiency and longevity.

2. How do you treat water without chemicals?

Non-chemical water treatment methods use technologies like filtration, scale removal, and bio-removal systems to maintain water quality without harmful chemicals.

3. What is the non-chemical treatment for cooling tower water?

This includes automatic condenser cleaning systems, sustainable scale and bio-removal solutions, and advanced filtration technologies.

4. What is chemical-free water treatment?

It refers to eco-friendly water treatment methods that do not rely on chemical additives, reducing environmental impact and maintenance costs.

5. What methods are used to treat the water instead of using chemicals?

Methods include physical filtration, mechanical cleaning, automatic tube cleaning, and sustainable bio-removal technologies.

How Condenser Optimization Can Improve Power Plant Operation

March 25, 2025

In power generation, efficiency is the key to maximizing profitability. While often overlooked, the condenser is an integral component in achieving this efficiency. When optimized, condensers can leverage the full potential of a power plant, boosting electricity output and driving down operational costs.

Condenser systems play a crucial role by converting exhaust steam back into water, ensuring a continuous cycle of power generation. However, when these systems are not properly maintained, they can lead to increased back pressure, higher fuel consumption, and greater operational costs.

Read ahead in this blog, how you can optimize condenser for better performance and long-term savings in power plant operations.

How Condensers Work in a Power Plant?

1) The Basic Function

Condensers regulate thermal power generation cycles by converting steam back to water. After driving turbines, steam must return to liquid form for system reuse. This transformation occurs through heat exchange with cooling media while maintaining the necessary vacuum pressure.

2) The Efficiency Connection

Condensers face challenges from scaling, fouling, and air leaks. These issues reduce heat transfer rates and increase back pressure on turbines. Without proper maintenance, small inefficiencies compound into significant operational costs and reduced output.

3) The Environmental Impact

Condenser performance directly affects a plant's environmental footprint. Efficient condensers require less cooling water and enable better fuel utilization. As regulations tighten globally, optimized condensers help meet compliance while improving bottom-line results.

How to Optimize Condensers for Power Plants?

1) Regular Tube Cleaning and Maintenance

Clean condenser tubes maintain optimal heat transfer efficiency. Fouling creates insulating barriers that prevent effective energy transfer. Regular mechanical or chemical cleaning removes these barriers, restoring performance and preventing cascading efficiency losses.

2) Monitoring and Controlling Vacuum Levels

Condenser vacuum directly influences turbine efficiency. Even small pressure increases can significantly reduce output. Advanced monitoring systems detect leaks early, while removing non-condensable gases maintains proper conditions.

3) Upgrading Condenser Materials

Modern materials outperform traditional copper alloy tubes. Titanium or stainless steel options enhance durability and minimize maintenance. These materials deliver superior long-term value through extended service life and maintained thermal efficiency.

4) Optimizing Cooling Water Parameters

Balanced cooling water flow ensures efficient heat transfer without wasting pump energy. Proper water treatment reduces biofouling and scaling. Monitoring temperature based on ambient conditions creates additional optimization opportunities.

5) Implementing Effective Air Removal Systems

Non-condensable gases create barriers to efficient heat transfer. Properly sized ejectors or vacuum pumps remove these problematic gases. Regular maintenance of air removal systems prevents efficiency losses from these invisible contaminants.

How Condenser Optimization Benefits Power Plant Operations

Improved Thermal Efficiency

Efficient condensers create lower steam pressure at turbine exhaust points. This allows turbines to extract maximum energy from each steam pound. The result is higher electricity output from identical fuel input.

Reduced Fuel Consumption

Fuel represents most operational expenses for thermal power plants. Optimized condensers minimize energy losses from poor heat transfer. These savings compound over time while simultaneously reducing environmental impacts.

Lower Maintenance Costs

Condenser issues like scaling and corrosion cause breakdowns and expensive repairs. Proactive optimization prevents these problems, reducing emergency maintenance requirements. This approach transforms maintenance from a reactive cost to a strategic investment.

Better Cooling System Performance

Condensers influence overall cooling effectiveness throughout the plant. Optimization ensures proper water temperatures and reduces strain on related equipment. This creates efficiency improvements, where properly maintained condensers enable better plant-wide performance.

Increased Power Output

Lower back pressure through optimized condensers allows more efficient turbine operation. This translates directly to increased generation capacity without additional fuel input. Even small output improvements represent significant financial gains for most facilities.

Environmental Benefits

Optimization delivers multiple environmental emissions, emissions, while improved heat transfer minimizes thermal pollution. These combined benefits align economic and environmental interests around efficiency improvements.

Conclusion

Condenser optimization represents a high-impact opportunity for improving power plant efficiency. By implementing regular maintenance, upgrading materials, and optimizing cooling systems, plants achieve significant performance improvements across multiple metrics.

The benefits extend throughout operations from improved efficiency to increased output. As energy demands grow alongside environmental concerns, peak condenser performance becomes essential for competitive power generation.

CET Enviro's Condenser Onload Tube Cleaning Solutions (COLTCS) specifically address these challenges. By investing in optimization technologies, power plants secure immediate operational benefits and long-term sustainability advantages.

Contact us today to learn more!

FAQs

1. What is condenser optimization, and how does it impact power plant operations?

Condenser optimization improves performance through cleaning, maintenance, and technological upgrades. It reduces back pressure while improving heat transfer efficiency. These improvements increase power generation and lower operational costs with quick investment returns.

2. What are the common causes of reduced condenser efficiency in power plants?

Efficiency reducers include tube fouling, air leakage, flow issues, and material degradation. Improper water treatment and deferred maintenance also contribute to losses. Comprehensive optimization programs address these specific causes for sustained performance improvements.

3. What role does tube fouling play in condenser efficiency, and how can it be minimized?

Fouling creates back pressure, back pressure. Regular cleaning protocols and proper water treatment minimize this issue. Technologies like CET Enviro's solutions maintain clean heat transfer surfaces at peak efficiency.

4. How does maintaining optimal condenser pressure contribute to overall plant efficiency?

Condenser pressure directly impacts the energy extraction potential of steam turbines. Lower back pressure allows turbines to convert more thermal energy into mechanical work. This relationship creates significant efficiency improvements throughout the power generation cycle, enhancing overall plant performance.

How to Improve Chiller Efficiency?

March 19, 2025

Are your cooling costs skyrocketing while chiller performance declines? Inefficient chillers can drain your budget and compromise comfort in your facility. Fortunately, implementing the right efficiency strategies can transform your cooling system's performance.

This guide explores proven methods to optimize chiller efficiency, from preventing heat exchanger fouling to implementing modern technologies that maintain peak performance. With potential energy savings of 10-30%, these improvements deliver rapid ROI while extending equipment life.

What is Chiller Efficiency?

Chiller efficiency refers to how effectively your cooling system converts electrical energy into cooling output. This performance is typically measured through metrics like Coefficient of Performance (COP) or kW/ton. The higher your COP value, the less energy your chiller consumes to produce the same cooling effect.

Many facility managers may think about what makes a chiller efficient, and it comes down to how well all components work together to minimize energy use while maximizing cooling capacity. An optimized chiller system maintains peak performance even as conditions change throughout operating cycles.

Why is Improving Chiller Efficiency Important?

1) Reduces Energy Consumption and Operational Costs

Cooling systems can account for up to 50% of a building's total energy consumption and by improving the chiller efficiency, you can reduce energy use by 10-30%, translating to substantial cost savings. These improvements generally pay for themselves within 1–3 years through reduced utility bills.

2) Extends Equipment Lifespan

Efficient chillers experience less strain and wear on critical components. When systems operate optimally, compressors cycle less frequently, mechanical stress decreases, and equipment life extends significantly. This means fewer replacements and a better return on your capital investment.

3) Improves Sustainability

Every kilowatt-hour saved reduces your carbon footprint. Our installations have helped save over 1.3 billion kWh of energy and reduced CO₂ emissions by approximately 1.17 million tonnes. In today's environmentally conscious market, improved sustainability also enhances your organization's reputation.

Common Factors Affecting Chiller Efficiency

Several key factors can drastically impact your chiller's performance:

1) Fouling and Scaling in Heat Exchangers

When mineral deposits and biological growth accumulate on heat transfer surfaces, they create an insulating layer that reduces heat exchange efficiency. Even a thin layer of scale 0.036 inches (0.91 mm) can increase energy consumption by up to 40%.

2) Poor Water Treatment in Cooling Towers

Inadequate water treatment leads to scaling, corrosion, and microbiological growth. These issues not only reduce efficiency but can cause permanent damage to system components, leading to costly repairs and replacements.

3) Inefficient Load Management

Most chillers operate at partial loads for 95% of their runtime, yet many aren't optimized for these conditions. Without proper load management strategies, you're likely wasting significant energy during normal operations.

4) Refrigerant Issues

Improper refrigerant charge, leaks, or contamination directly impacts system performance. As refrigerant issues worsen, compressors work harder, energy consumption increases, and cooling capacity diminishes.

5) Outdated Controls

Older control systems lack the precision and adaptability of modern solutions. Without smart controls, chillers can't respond efficiently to changing conditions, leading to energy waste and performance issues.

Best Practices to Improve Chiller Efficiency

1) Clean Condenser and Evaporator Coils

Clean heat transfer surfaces are important for optimal efficiency. Fouling creates a thermal barrier that forces your system to work harder while delivering less cooling. Regular cleaning ensures maximum heat transfer and energy efficiency.

2) Service Chiller Regularly

Standard practice recommends comprehensive maintenance twice yearly. However, waiting six months between cleanings means accepting declining efficiency between services. For truly optimal performance, consider technologies that maintain cleanliness continuously.

3) Reduce Chiller Energy Consumption

Effective load management involves distributing cooling demand across available resources. This includes sequencing multiple chillers, implementing reset strategies for chilled water temperature, and ensuring proper refrigerant charge for current conditions.

4) Utilize Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)

VSDs adjust compressor motor speed to match actual cooling demands, dramatically reducing energy waste during partial-load operation. This simple upgrade can yield energy savings of 15-40% depending on your usage patterns.

5) Prevention of Fouling and Scaling

Our ACCS™ technology continuously cleans condenser tubes while your system operates. By preventing fouling and scaling buildup, ACCS™ maintains optimal heat transfer efficiency year-round, eliminating the efficiency degradation typically seen between manual cleanings.

6) Chemical Elimination While Maintaining Efficiency

SBR™ technology provides effective scale, corrosion, and biofouling control without harmful chemicals. This sustainable approach not only improves efficiency but also reduces environmental impact and operational costs associated with chemical handling.

7) Tracking Chiller Performance

Modern monitoring systems provide real-time data on performance metrics, helping facility managers identify efficiency drops before they impact costs. These systems enable proactive maintenance and continuous optimization.

8) Control Water Quality

Cooling tower water quality directly affects condenser performance. Poor water quality leads to scaling, corrosion, and biological growth that reduces heat transfer efficiency and damages equipment.

9) Non-Chemical Water Treatment

Non-chemical water treatment maintains optimal water conditions without the environmental impact and handling concerns of traditional chemicals. This approach prevents scale formation while protecting system components from corrosion and biological fouling.

10) Modern Chillers and Smart Control

Today's chillers incorporate advanced design features that significantly outperform older models. Smart controls optimize operation based on real-time conditions, while AI-powered systems can predict maintenance needs and adjust settings automatically.

11) Use AI and IoT for Chiller Efficiency

AI analytics and IoT sensors create a connected ecosystem that continuously monitors and optimizes performance. These technologies can identify inefficiencies, predict failures before they occur, and automatically adjust settings for maximum efficiency.

12) Chiller Operations in Extreme Weather Conditions

Extreme temperatures require specific optimization strategies. During high heat, focus on condenser efficiency and cooling tower performance. In cold weather, implement free cooling and adjust set points to match reduced demand.

13) Summer vs. Winter Chiller Efficiency

Summer optimization includes clean condenser coils, proper refrigerant charge, and optimized cooling tower performance. Winter strategies involve free cooling when possible, adjusted set points for reduced loads, and proper freeze protection.

Key Chiller Efficiency Solutions & Their Benefits

Solution Benefits
ACCS™ Prevents fouling, maintains peak efficiency, reduces cleaning needs
SBR™ Eliminates chemicals, improves water quality, prevents scaling
VSDs Optimizes energy use based on demand, reduces partial load waste
Energy Monitoring Enables real-time tracking, identifies issues early, facilitates better efficiency

Conclusion

Improving chiller efficiency doesn't have to be complicated. By implementing the strategies outlined above, you can achieve significant energy savings, extend equipment life, and reduce your environmental impact. CET Enviro's sustainable solutions have helped customers across various industries optimize their cooling systems for maximum performance.

Ready to enhance your chiller efficiency?

Contact CET Enviro today for a customized assessment and discover how our innovative technologies can transform your cooling system's performance.

FAQs

1) What is the most effective way to improve chiller efficiency?

The most impactful approach combines regular maintenance, automatic tube cleaning systems, optimized load distribution, and smart controls. For most facilities, addressing heat exchanger fouling through ACCS™ technology delivers the fastest ROI.

2) How does ACCS™ help in maintaining chiller performance?

ACCS™ continuously removes fouling and scaling from condenser tubes, maintaining optimal heat transfer efficiency. This keeps your chiller operating at peak performance, reduces energy consumption, and extends equipment lifespan.

3) How much energy can I save with optimized chiller operation?

Proper chiller optimization typically reduces energy consumption by 10-30%, depending on current system condition, maintenance practices, and implemented technologies. Many clients see payback periods of less than 18 months.

4) How does poor water treatment affect chiller efficiency?

Poor water treatment leads to scaling that insulates heat transfer surfaces, corrosion that damages components, and biological growth that further impedes performance. These issues compound to dramatically increase energy consumption while reducing cooling capacity.

5) What are the best chiller efficiency strategies for commercial buildings?

Commercial buildings benefit most from integrated approaches including smart controls, variable speed drives, automatic tube cleaning, and non-chemical water treatment. The ideal mix depends on your specific usage patterns and existing equipment.

Easy Ways to Make Air Conditioning More Sustainable

Easy Ways to Make Air Conditioning More Sustainable

March 13, 2025

In today's climate-conscious world, businesses are increasingly seeking ways to reduce their environmental footprint while optimizing operational costs. With commercial air conditioning systems consuming a significant portion of a building's energy and contributing to global carbon emissions, sustainable cooling has become more than just an environmental choice—it's a smart business decision.

By implementing eco-friendly cooling solutions, companies across various industries can achieve substantial energy savings while contributing to a greener planet. As global cooling demands continue to rise, making sustainable air conditioning practices more crucial than ever.

Why Make Air Conditioning More Sustainable?

  • Environmental Impact

    Conventional air conditioning systems consume massive amounts of electricity, often generated from fossil fuels, resulting in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, many older systems still use refrigerants with high global warming potential.
  • Cost Savings

    Energy-efficient cooling systems dramatically reduce operational expenses. Businesses implementing sustainable cooling solutions typically see substantial reductions in energy bills, with the potential for significant long-term savings.
  • Government Regulations

    With stricter energy efficiency standards being implemented worldwide, sustainable HVAC systems help ensure compliance with current and future regulations, avoiding potential penalties.
  • Operational Efficiency

    Green HVAC systems typically have longer lifespans, require less maintenance, and provide more consistent performance, resulting in fewer disruptions to business operations.

Easy Ways to Make Air Conditioning More Sustainable

 

1. Optimize Thermostat & Temperature Settings

Small adjustments can lead to significant energy savings without compromising comfort:
  • Set thermostats to 75 °F (24 °C) in summer instead of the common 72 °F (22 °C)—each degree of adjustment can save on cooling costs.
  • Implement programmable or smart thermostats that automatically adjust temperatures based on occupancy schedules.
  • Create different temperature zones for areas with varying cooling needs.
  • Use night setbacks to reduce cooling during unoccupied hours.

2. Improve Airflow & Ventilation

Proper airflow is important for effective cooling:
  • Schedule regular cleaning and replacement of air filters (monthly inspections recommended).
  • Ensure vents and air returns remain unobstructed by furniture or equipment.
  • Use ceiling fans to improve air circulation, allowing higher thermostat settings.
  • Consider demand-controlled ventilation systems that adjust fresh air intake based on occupancy.

3. Upgrade to Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems

Modern technology offers significant improvements in cooling efficiency:
  • Look for high SEER-rated air conditioners (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio)—the higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the system.
  • Invest in inverter-based AC units that adjust power consumption based on cooling demand rather than cycling on and off.
  • Consider variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems for larger facilities, which can simultaneously cool and heat different zones.
  • Explore heat recovery systems that capture and repurpose waste heat.

4. Implement Smart Cooling Technologies

AI and IoT innovations are revolutionizing HVAC efficiency:
  • Deploy AI-powered systems that continuously learn and optimize cooling performance.
  • Implement IoT sensors throughout facilities to monitor temperature, humidity, and occupancy in real-time.
  • Use predictive maintenance systems that identify potential issues before they cause breakdowns.
  • Integrate building automation systems that coordinate cooling with other building functions.

5. Enhance Chiller Efficiency in Large Buildings

For facilities using centralized cooling plants:
  • Install Automatic Condenser Cleaning Systems (ACCS™) to prevent fouling and maintain optimal heat transfer.
  • Implement energy monitoring systems that provide real-time data on chiller performance.
  • Optimize chiller sequencing to ensure systems operate at peak efficiency levels.
  • Consider free cooling options during cooler months to reduce mechanical cooling needs.

6. Reduce Water & Eliminate Chemical Use in Cooling Towers

Water conservation is a critical aspect of sustainable cooling:
  • Implement non-chemical water treatment solutions like SBR™ technology to eliminate harmful chemicals.
  • Install advanced filtration systems to maintain water quality and reduce blowdown requirements.
  • Monitor and optimize cycles of concentration to minimize water waste.
  • Consider alternative water sources such as harvested rainwater or treated greywater.

7. Consider Renewable Energy Integration Wherever Possible

Powering cooling systems with clean energy dramatically reduces their carbon footprint:
  • Explore solar PV systems sized to offset air conditioning loads.
  • Implement thermal energy storage to shift cooling production to times when renewable energy is abundant.
  • Consider geothermal heat pumps that leverage stable ground temperatures.
  • Investigate district cooling options where available.

Industry-Specific Sustainable Cooling Solutions

Different industries have unique cooling requirements and opportunities for sustainability:
Industry Sustainable Cooling Solutions
Hotels & Malls Smart room controls, occupancy-based zoning, energy-efficient chillers with ACCS™
Hospitals & Pharmaceuticals Non-chemical cooling tower treatment, precision temperature control, redundant efficient systems
Data Centers Hot/cold aisle containment, AI-powered HVAC monitoring, liquid cooling technologies
Manufacturing & Power Plants Onload condenser tube cleaning systems, waste heat recovery, process optimization
Food & Beverage Sustainable refrigeration solutions, heat recovery systems, variable speed compressors

Make Your Cooling System Efficient and Eco-Friendly with CET Enviro

Implementing sustainable air conditioning practices is as good for the environment as for your bottom line, too. With technologies like Automatic Condenser Cleaning Systems (ACCS™) and non-chemical cooling tower treatment, businesses can significantly reduce energy consumption, water usage, and maintenance costs while extending equipment lifespan. Looking for sustainable cooling solutions for your business? Contact CET Enviro today to explore our Automatic Condenser Cleaning Systems (ACCS™), non-chemical cooling tower treatment (SBR™), and advanced HVAC solutions. Let’s make your cooling system efficient and eco-friendly!

FAQs

1. How do industrial water treatment systems save energy?

The most effective strategies include installing smart thermostats, optimizing Water Cooled Chiller efficiency with technologies like ACCS™, ensuring proper maintenance, and implementing real-time energy monitoring systems. Most businesses can achieve 20-30% energy savings through these methods.

2. What are the most eco-friendly air conditioning options?

The most environmentally friendly options include inverter ACs with high SEER ratings, Water Cooled Chillers with VFD along with ACCS using low-GWP refrigerants, renewable energy-powered cooling systems, and technologies that minimize water consumption such as non-chemical cooling tower treatments.

Optimize Cooling Tower Energy Efficiency for Better Performance

How to Optimize the Energy Efficiency of Cooling Towers

February 19, 2025

Cooling towers play a critical role in industrial and commercial cooling systems. Without proper optimization, these systems consume excessive energy and require high maintenance costs. By implementing smart strategies, you can enhance their efficiency, reduce operational expenses, and extend their lifespan.

This blog explores the key factors affecting cooling tower efficiency and practical solutions to optimize performance.

What is Cooling Tower Energy Efficiency?

Cooling tower energy efficiency refers to the system’s ability to remove heat while minimizing energy and water usage. It depends on two main factors:

  • Range: The temperature difference between inlet and outlet water
  • Approach: The difference between outlet water temperature and ambient wet bulb temperature

This simple formula calculates cooling tower efficiency:

Efficiency = (Range) / (Range + Approach) × 100

Efficiency calculations consider these factors along with energy consumption by fan systems and water pumps. The fan system is one of the primary energy consumers, as it drives airflow through the tower. Pump head pressure also contributes to the overall energy usage.

While cooling towers are designed to operate at high efficiency levels, achieving maximum efficiency is practically impossible due to physical limitations such as water loss through evaporation. However, optimizing key components can significantly improve performance.

Key Factors Affecting Cooling Tower Efficiency

The performance of cooling tower systems depends on four key elements. Let's get into how each one affects overall efficiency:

1. Heat Load

The cooling tower’s ability to remove heat depends directly on the heat load it handles. The standard heat transfer equation shows this relationship:

Heat Load (British Thermal Unit/hr) = 500 x flow in GPM x Range in °F

This calculation helps you determine your tower's capacity to meet specific cooling needs.

2. Water Quality

Water quality is crucial for cooling tower efficiency. Poor water management can lead to:

  • 1. Scale deposits that reduce heat transfer
  • 2. Corrosion of metal components, increasing maintenance needs
  • 3. Bacterial growth, causing biological fouling

Managing water treatment and maintaining proper concentration cycles help prevent these issues and sustain efficiency.

3. Fan and Pump Performance

Fans and pumps are essential for cooling tower operations. Some fan types require significantly less power than others, making them more energy efficient. Advanced blade designs and materials, such as fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), can also reduce auxiliary power use.

4. Drift and Blowdown

Drift occurs when water droplets escape with exhaust air, leading to water loss. Drift eliminators help minimize these losses. Effective blowdown management prevents excessive dissolved solids from accumulating, reducing the need for additional water.

Benefits of Optimizing Cooling Tower Efficiency

Cooling tower optimization rewards you in multiple ways. Here are the key advantages that make these improvements worth your time:

1. Lower Energy Costs

Optimized cooling towers require less energy to operate, resulting in reduced electricity consumption. Technologies such as variable speed drives (VSDs) allow fans to adjust speeds based on cooling needs, further cutting costs.

2. Extended Equipment Lifespan

Cooling towers that are well-maintained and optimized experience less wear and tear, reducing the likelihood of breakdowns and costly repairs. Preventing scale buildup and ensuring clean water circulation help extend the system’s lifespan.

3. Water Conservation

Improving water treatment and optimizing blowdown cycles significantly reduce water consumption. Higher concentration cycles can cut down the amount of makeup water needed while maintaining effective cooling performance.

4. Environmental Impact

Cooling towers play a role in reducing environmental impact by controlling heat discharge and using fewer treatment chemicals. Optimized systems also lower energy demand, indirectly reducing carbon emissions from power generation.

 

How to Improve the Efficiency of a Cooling Tower?

Your cooling tower's performance depends on combining advanced technologies with proven maintenance strategies. Here's a complete guide to boost your cooling tower's efficiency:

1. Upgrade to Automated Condenser Cleaning Systems (ACCS)

Our ACCS systems prevent fouling and scaling without requiring shutdowns, maintaining high heat transfer efficiency.

2. Implement a Sustainable Non-Chemical Water Treatment System

Advanced water treatment methods such as UV light, ozone filtration, and electrochemical deposition help control microbial growth and prevent scaling without relying on chemicals.

3. Optimize Cooling Tower Blowdown Management

Conductivity controllers automate blowdown processes, ensuring optimal cycles of concentration and minimizing water waste.

4. Install Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) on Fans and Pumps

VFDs allow for speed adjustments based on cooling demand, improving energy efficiency and reducing wear on mechanical components.

5. Make Use of On-Load Tube Cleaning Technology

On-Load Tube Cleaning system continuously cleans condenser tubes without stopping operations, ensuring steady heat transfer efficiency.

6. Regular Maintenance and Monitoring

Routine inspections, pump efficiency tests, and scale removal help sustain cooling tower performance over time.

7. Optimize Airflow and Heat Transfer

Advanced technologies such as drift eliminators and automated chemical feed systems improve cooling performance by maintaining clean air and water circulation.

Difference between Traditional vs. Optimized Cooling Towers

Older cooling towers rely on induction motors and mechanical components that require frequent maintenance. In contrast, modern systems incorporate advanced fan motors, high-efficiency water treatment solutions, and automated controls for better reliability and energy savings.

Optimized towers also integrate advanced monitoring systems to track conductivity, chemical levels, and pH, enabling more precise adjustments for peak performance.

With advancements in cooling technology, optimized systems operate more efficiently, reduce maintenance needs, and extend equipment life while using less energy and water.

The gap in efficiency becomes clear when you look at maintenance needs:

1. Traditional Towers

  • 1. Gearbox repairs happen often
  • 2. More mechanical problems occur
  • 3. Limited cooling control
  • 4. Uses lots of energy

2. Optimized Towers

  • 1. Needs less maintenance
  • 2. Works better with simpler design
  • 3. Better water quality control
  • 4. Saves energy through smart controls

With advancements in cooling technology, optimized systems operate more efficiently, reduce maintenance needs, and extend equipment life while using less energy and water.

 

Conclusion

Optimizing cooling towers is essential for reducing operational costs, conserving water, and improving system efficiency. By implementing modern solutions such as automated condenser cleaning, non-chemical water treatment, and variable frequency drives, facilities can achieve significant energy savings and extend equipment lifespan.

CET Enviro specializes in sustainable cooling solutions, including Automatic Condenser Cleaning Systems, Non-Chemical Water Treatment, and
On-Load Tube Cleaning Technology. These innovations help businesses achieve better efficiency, lower maintenance costs, and reduce environmental impact.

Contact us today to learn more.

 

FAQs

1. What are the key strategies to improve cooling tower efficiency?

Implementing automated cleaning systems, using non-chemical water treatments, optimizing blowdown management, and maintaining proper airflow and water quality enhance cooling tower efficiency.

2. How can energy consumption be reduced in cooling towers?

Energy consumption can be reduced by installing VFDs on fans, optimizing water treatment, automating cleaning processes, and maintaining regular inspections.

3. What is considered a good efficiency rate for cooling towers?

A well-functioning cooling tower operates at high efficiency levels, though absolute efficiency is not possible due to physical constraints. Regular maintenance and optimization strategies help sustain peak performance.

4. How can water quality be managed effectively in cooling towers?

Managing water quality involves using non-chemical treatment methods, controlling blowdown cycles, and preventing scaling and biological fouling.

5. What are the benefits of optimizing cooling tower efficiency?

Optimization leads to reduced energy costs, extended equipment lifespan, lower water consumption, and minimized environmental impact.

Sustainable Solutions for Cooling Towers in Industrial Applications

February 11, 2025

Industrial cooling towers are essential for temperature regulation in large-scale operations. However, traditional cooling methods often rely on chemical treatments and energy-intensive processes, leading to environmental concerns and high operational costs.

Sustainable cooling solutions, such as those provided by us at CET Enviro, help industries enhance efficiency, reduce water consumption, and eliminate chemical usage while maintaining optimal performance.

 

What are sustainable Cooling solutions for cooling Towers?

Sustainable cooling solutions focus on reducing environmental impact while optimizing performance. They integrate advanced technologies that improve energy efficiency, minimize water wastage, and eliminate harmful chemicals.

Key features of sustainable cooling solutions include:

  • 1. Non-Chemical Water Treatment: Eliminates the need for toxic chemicals, ensuring safer and more efficient cooling operations.
  • 2. Energy-Efficient Systems: Reduces electricity usage by improving heat exchange efficiency.
  • 3. On-Load Tube Cleaning Technology: Maintains system cleanliness without downtime.
  • 4. Automated Monitoring & Control: Enhances system performance through real-time adjustments.

By adopting these eco-friendly solutions, industrial facilities can reduce energy consumption and minimize maintenance costs, making cooling systems more sustainable and cost-effective.

Why do Industrial cooling towers need Sustainable Solutions?

Industries like power plants, manufacturing, commercial buildings, and pharmaceuticals consume vast amounts of water and energy for cooling processes. Traditional cooling towers contribute to environmental challenges such as:

  • 1. High Water Consumption: Evaporation and blowdown lead to significant water losses.
  • 2. Chemical Pollution: Traditional treatment methods introduce harmful chemicals into the ecosystem.
  • 3. Energy Waste: Inefficient systems increase power consumption and operational costs.
  • 4. Environmental Regulations: Industries face increasing pressure to comply with sustainability standards.

Adopting CET Enviro’s solutions addresses these concerns while enhancing cooling system efficiency and sustainability.

Types of Sustainable Cooling Solutions

1. Non-Chemical Water Treatment: Scale & Bio Remover (SBR)

CET Enviro’s SBR system eliminates the need for chemical treatments in cooling towers by using non-chemical water treatment technology. This system effectively:

  • Controls microbial growth without chlorine or bromine.
  • Prevents scale buildup, ensuring better heat exchange efficiency.
  • Enhances water conservation by reducing blowdown frequency.

2. Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS)

The ACCS by CET Enviro is designed to maintain optimal condenser performance. This system:

  • Prevents fouling and scaling in heat exchangers.
  • Continuously monitors and adjusts cleaning cycles for maximum efficiency.
  • Reduces energy consumption by cutting operational costs.

3. On-Load Tube Cleaning Technology: Condenser On-Load Tube Cleaning System (COLTCS)

The COLTCS by CET Enviro ensures uninterrupted cooling efficiency by using elastomer cleaning balls that circulate through condenser tubes. Benefits include:

  • Eliminates tube fouling without system shutdown.
  • Improves heat exchange efficiency, reducing electricity consumption.
  • Extends equipment lifespan and reduces maintenance downtime.

 

Comparison of Traditional vs. Sustainable Cooling Tower Solutions

Comparison Table
Aspect Traditional Systems Sustainable Solutions
Water Treatment Chemical-based, requiring frequent monitoring Non-chemical, self-sustaining
Energy Usage Higher consumption due to inefficiencies Lower energy requirements
Maintenance Frequent chemical dosing and cleaning Minimal maintenance with automated systems
Environmental Impact Chemical discharge, excessive water use Reduced water consumption, no chemical waste
Operational Costs Higher due to chemical and energy needs Lower long-term costs with less blowdown

 

Industry Applications of CET Enviro’s Solutions

CET Enviro’s cutting-edge cooling technologies are widely adopted across various industries, including:

  • 1. Commercial Buildings: Reduces electricity and water consumption.
  • 2. Hotels & Malls: Eliminates the need for chemical-based cooling tower treatments.
  • 3. Pharmaceuticals: Conserves water while cutting operational costs.
  • 4. Power Plants: Optimizes condenser performance, increasing overall energy efficiency.

 

Benefits of Using CET Enviro’s Sustainable Cooling Solutions

By implementing CET Enviro’s innovative technologies, industries can achieve:

  • 1. Maximum Energy savings through optimized cooling processes.
  • 2. Elimination of harmful chemicals, enhancing safety and sustainability.
  • 3. More Water conservation, reducing strain on local water supplies.
  • 4. Lower maintenance costs due to automated, self-cleaning systems.
  • 5. Improved compliance with environmental and regulatory standards.

 

Conclusion

Sustainable cooling solutions have revolutionized industrial cooling tower technology. CET Enviro’s cutting-edge products help industries achieve energy efficiency, water conservation, and operational cost reductions. With solutions like SBR, ACCS, and COLTCS, companies can enhance cooling performance while reducing their environmental impact.

By choosing CET Enviro, industries take a proactive step toward sustainable operations, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations while optimizing cooling efficiency.

Contact us to learn more about how CET Enviro can transform your cooling systems!

 

FAQs

1. What are the main benefits of CET Enviro’s sustainable cooling tower solutions?

CET Enviro’s solutions improve efficiency, reduce chemical usage, minimize maintenance downtime, and enhance system longevity.

2. How do sustainable cooling towers differ from traditional systems?

Sustainable cooling towers use non-chemical water treatment methods, consume 30% less energy, require minimal maintenance, and have a lower environmental impact compared to traditional systems.

3. How does CET Enviro’s non-chemical water treatment work?

CET Enviro’s Scale & Bio Remover (SBR) eliminates microbial growth and scale buildup without using chlorine or bromine, ensuring safer and more efficient cooling.

4. How does CET Enviro’s Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS) save energy?

ACCS continuously prevents fouling, maintaining optimal heat transfer and reducing energy consumption.

5. What is the advantage of CET Enviro’s On-Load Tube Cleaning Technology (COLTCS)?

COLTCS keeps condenser tubes clean without downtime, enhancing efficiency and cutting electricity usage.

6. Which industries benefit from CET Enviro’s cooling solutions?

Industries like power plants, commercial buildings, hospitals, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing gain cost savings and improved sustainability with CET Enviro’s cooling technologies.

7. What are sustainable cooling solutions for industrial cooling towers?

Sustainable cooling solutions use non-chemical treatments, automated cleaning, and energy-efficient technologies to improve cooling tower performance.

8. How do sustainable cooling towers reduce energy consumption?

They enhance heat transfer efficiency, prevent scaling, and reduce water wastage, lowering overall energy use.

9. Are cooling towers environmentally friendly?

Traditional cooling towers have a high environmental impact, but sustainable solutions reduce chemical discharge, water consumption, and carbon emissions.

10. How does CET Enviro improve cooling tower sustainability?

CET Enviro provides non-chemical water treatment, automatic condenser cleaning, and on-load tube cleaning to enhance cooling efficiency.

Water Treatment for Cooling Towers

Water Treatment for Cooling Towers Without Chemicals

February 3, 2025

Businesses are moving away from traditional cooling tower water treatment chemicals to find environmentally responsible alternatives because chemical treatments face bans in almost half of U.S. states.

Non-chemical water treatment methods can help you reduce costs. These innovative approaches decrease water usage by 20-40% and cut energy costs by 5-15%. Companies report up to 60% savings in their operational expenses after they make the switch.

This blog explains how non-chemical water treatment works in cooling towers and why modern facilities prefer it. You will learn about treatment methods of all types like UV light, ozone, and copper ionization that work against scaling and microbiological growth without harmful chemicals.

 

What is Non-Chemical Water Treatment for Cooling Towers?

Non-chemical water treatment marks a major change in cooling tower maintenance. This method treats water using physical and mechanical processes instead of traditional chemical additives.

Your cooling tower's water treatment system targets four biggest problems: scale formation, corrosion, and biological growth.

Physical methods like electromagnetic fields, ultrasonic waves, and hydrodynamic cavitation provide solutions to these challenges. These technologies create conditions where minerals remain suspended in water rather than forming scale deposits.

The system changes how calcium carbonate and other minerals behave at molecular level. Water flowing through the treatment system causes these minerals to form tiny clusters. This prevents them from sticking to equipment surfaces, and you won't need to add any chemicals to your system.

The treatment systems also include filtration components that remove existing particles and stop new deposits. Your system works non-stop to maintain optimal water conditions without chemical adjustments or handling dangerous substances.

Physical water treatment helps maintain proper pH levels and controls bacterial growth naturally. Your equipment and the environment stay protected while maintenance needs and operating costs decrease.

Why Choose Non-Chemical Treatments?

Non-chemical water treatment brings several advantages to your cooling tower operations. The most important benefit comes from the money you'll save - no more chemical costs and lower maintenance expenses.

Your equipment lasts longer with non-chemical treatment methods because they protect against wear and tear. The cooling tower parts stay in better condition without exposure to harsh chemicals that break down materials. Your maintenance team also works in a safer environment since there's no need to store or handle chemicals.

The environmental benefits are a vital advantage of non-chemical treatment. Such as:

  • 1. Prevent harmful chemical discharge into waterways
  • 2. Reduce your facility's carbon footprint
  • 3. Lower water consumption through improved system efficiency
  • 4. Eliminate chemical transportation and disposal concerns

Non-chemical treatment systems need minimal upkeep compared to chemical options. You don't have to check chemical levels constantly or schedule regular deliveries. Your maintenance staff can focus on other important tasks while the system runs by itself.

These systems also do a great job maintaining consistent water quality. The physical treatment processes run continuously and create stable conditions that protect your equipment and optimize performance. You'll face fewer unexpected shutdowns, and your operations will run more smoothly.

How Does Non-Chemical Water Treatment Work?

Non-chemical water treatment systems in cooling towers rely on physical processes as their foundation. We used a mix of technologies that maintain water quality without chemical additives.

The system starts with electromagnetic field generation. Water flows through special chambers where electromagnetic fields change the minerals' molecular structure. These minerals then cluster into tiny particles that float in the water rather than stick to equipment.

Ultrasonic technology is a vital part that stops biological growth. Sound waves at high frequencies create tiny bubbles that burst faster and generate shock waves. These waves break bacterial cell membranes. This process, called cavitation, keeps microbes under control without using chemical biocides.

The system's hydrodynamic cavitation technology creates areas of high and low pressure as water moves through special chambers. This breaks down existing scale and prevents new buildup. Your equipment stays protected from corrosion and scaling because the treated water naturally maintains the right pH levels.

These physical treatment methods work together nonstop to condition water throughout your cooling tower system. The process needs minimal supervision and works through automated controls that adjust treatment based on live water quality measurements.

Comparison of Chemical vs. Non-Chemical Water Treatment

Chemical and non-chemical cooling tower treatments show clear differences when you look at them side by side. The biggest difference shows up in how they affect the environment. Chemical treatments dump harmful substances into water sources, while non-chemical methods keep water clean without any risks to nature.

Chemical treatments just need constant checking and tweaking of chemical levels. Non-chemical systems work through physical processes and need very little oversight. This makes a real difference in your running costs and how your team spends their time.

Here's a detailed comparison of everything you need to know:

Comparison Table
Aspect Chemical Treatment Non-Chemical Treatment
Safety Concerns Requires protective equipment and careful handling No hazardous materials to manage
Equipment Impact May cause corrosion over time Extends system lifespan
Operational Costs Ongoing chemical purchases One-time equipment investment
Maintenance Needs Regular chemical testing and adjustments Minimal routine checks
Storage Requirements Dedicated chemical storage area No storage needed
Environmental Compliance Subject to strict regulations Meets environmental standards

 

Non-chemical treatments prove to be much more efficient. Chemical systems often can't keep treatment levels steady, which leads to too much or too little treatment at times. Despite that, physical treatment methods stay effective through automated controls.

Your facility's long-term sustainability goals will shape your choice between these methods. Non-chemical treatments match perfectly with green building certifications and environmental programs. Chemical treatments, however, face tougher regulations and more restrictions every day.

How Does CET Enviro Provide Non-Chemical Water Treatment?

CET Enviro pioneers non-chemical cooling tower solutions with innovative technologies that boost system performance. We merge multiple treatment methods to create a complete water management system.

Our Scale & Bio Remover (SBRTM) System is one of the key solutions in non-chemical water treatment. Our SBRTM technology stops scale buildup and controls biological growth through advanced physical processes.

Our technical team analyzes your system to create customized solutions. The quick installation process ensures minimal disruption to operations. Our complete approach tackles scaling, corrosion, and biological control while keeping system efficiency at peak levels.

 

Conclusion

Non-chemical water treatment leads the way in modern cooling tower maintenance. This environmentally responsible approach brings real benefits by cutting operational costs, reducing maintenance work, and boosting equipment life.

Even when you choose CET Enviro's Scale & Bio Remover System, it pairs with advanced monitoring technology to deliver peak cooling tower performance 24/7. These methods protect your equipment and local ecosystems while meeting environmental regulations.

Switching to non-chemical treatment is a smart investment for your facility's future. Your cooling tower's water quality stays consistent, needs less maintenance, and runs more efficiently.

Get in Touch with us today to learn more.

 

FAQs

1. How does non-chemical water treatment work in cooling towers?

Non-chemical water treatment uses physical processes like electromagnetic fields, ultrasonic waves, and hydrodynamic cavitation to prevent scale formation, control corrosion, and manage biological growth.

2. What are the benefits of switching to non-chemical water treatment for cooling towers?

Switching to non-chemical treatment can reduce water usage, cut energy costs, and save on operational expenses.

3. Is non-chemical water treatment as effective as chemical treatment?

Yes, non-chemical water treatment is highly effective. It maintains consistent water quality through continuous physical processes, preventing scale buildup, controlling microbial growth, and protecting equipment from corrosion.

4. Can non-chemical treatment prevent corrosion?

Yes, advanced technologies control scaling and bio-growth, reducing corrosion risks.

5. Do non-chemical methods work in large-scale cooling towers?

Absolutely, CET Enviro’s solutions are designed for large industrial applications.

5 Ways to Clean the Condenser

April 29, 2024

A clean condenser keeps your operations steady and efficiency high. And lowering in the efficiency of the system can lead to considerable losses of time, energy and finances. That’s why regular cleaning is important.

Here are five methods to clean condensers:

Using Automatic Tube Cleaning System (ACCS)

As the name suggests, Automatic Tube Cleaning System is an advanced measure of cleaning condenser tubes. A dirty condenser faces many issues including fouling and depreciation of the tube’s material. The ACCS gets rid of all these issues and that too, in a very small amount of time. It optimizes the heat transfer performance and removes downtime. This helps you in getting effective results with maximum efficiency. If you’d ask us, we’d suggest going with ACCS.

Cleaning with a Brush

The oldest method of cleaning condensers is through brushes. In this method, you’d attach a brush on a long rod, making sure that the brush’s bristles are longer than the radius of the tube. Then you’d use the rods to clean the interior of the tubes after throwing in some water for lubrication. It’s an obsolete method and has been discarded by many organizations. Its main issue is it leaves a lot of residue inside the tube and takes up a lot of time and energy.

Cleaning with TCGs

TCG stands for Tube Cleaning Gun. These guns project high-pressure water in the tubes and target the dirt. Like the ‘brush method’, this method is also old and obsolete. The primary issue with this procedure is the consumption of time. And it has the risk of increasing the clog inside the tubes as the high-pressure water may not be able to get rid of all the dirt.

 

Cleaning with Chemicals

In this method, one adds acid solutions and circulates them through the tube bundles. This softens the scale deposits which are then cleaned with brushes. Chemicals are quite costly, and that’s why this method is also discarded in modern operations. Moreover, to perform this procedure effectively you’d need a highly trained expert.

Using COLTCS

COLTCS stands for Condenser Tube Cleaning System. In this method, specialized sponge rubber balls are inserted in the Condenser. They prevent the build-up of any scaling or fouling. After the passage, the system retrieves the balls and pumps them into inlets. It’s an automatic system. This means you won’t have to worry about its operation and efficiency. This is another favored method of multiple industries.

What’s your Choice?

Which method would you prefer for your condenser’s cleaning? Let us know through your Comment. We’d love to hear from you. You can find out more about ACCS and COLTCS.

How Hazardous the use of Chemicals is for the Chiller & the Cooling tower?

April 29, 2024


1. High blowdown problem – Cooling towers use water for evaporation. Large particles remain after the evaporation occurs and this causes a blowdown. When the blowdown occurs in the cooling plant, the chemicals are lost along with the solid waste. If the cooling tower requires more blowdown, then the water treatment may not be right.

This can be corrected using better water treatment that removes scale forming in a positive way. You can also manage the cooling system program to reduce the chance of blow down due to chemical use. The problem of blowdown also occurs in chillers at most times.

2. High costs – The treatment of cooling tower through chemicals can incur high costs. This includes the upfront planning costs and maintenance costs. It includes the installation rates too. The cost also includes maintaining the normal makeup and registry of the cooling tower system.

The plant also incurs system discharge fee cost. Use of chemicals in the plant ups the cost to a great extent. If you use non-chemical treatments, then you can save on your costs as well. There are many non-chemical treatments available for cooling towers and chillers, choose according to your budget.

3. Health risks – It’s not easy to maintain a cooling tower. Use of chemicals can also put a person working with the tower to health risks. Use of chemicals can cause many respiratory and breathing problems. The contaminated water and chemicals can also cause problems with lungs. Most people who work near the tower also face the risk of Pontiac fever.

It’s best to avoid the use of chemicals in cooling towers and chillers to avoid the health risks. Natural treatment will ensure that there is no such health hazard. This will not only make the working safe but also secure. There will be no health risk associated with natural ways. 

4. Water wastage (Bleed off) – The water that circulates around the tower has four times the concentration that makes water cycle operational. Bleed off is the normal process of removing one portion of concentrated water which is then replaced by the normal water. The chemical based water is subject to bleed off most of the times.

A normal cooling tower can bleed off up to one million gallons of water in a year. The water wastage causes other problems as well. Thankfully, there are conservation solutions that can stop bleed off to a large extent. You can opt for a cooling water conservation plan for this purpose.

Initiatives Limiting Chemical Use And Implementing Environment- Friendly Measures

Chiller Plant Safety: It’s important to calculate and understand the cycles of concentration of water. Checking the ratio of conductivity in blow down is important. Maximizing the cycles of concentration will help. Increasing cycles from 3 to 6 will also reduce the cooling tower makeup water. Installing of conductivity controller can also help to control the normal blowdown.

Installation of flow meters can help you to know about the ratio of normal blow down. Consider using treatments that are chemical free for chillers and cooling towers both. Non-chemical water treatment can help to save a lot of money.

The Electrolysis Treatment For Cooling Towers

This non-chemical treatment saves 80% of blowdown water. The blowdown water can also be reused for other services. It provides high-performance sand filter cleans. It provides automatic self-cleaning to remove accumulated scale and dust.

It creates a balanced PH environment that prevents a problem like corrosion. The cost is low operating and it’s totally environment safe. It also provides an optional bleed control feature. This increases the operational efficiency and also eliminates energy costs and discharge fees. Chemical-free treatment for cooling towers and chillers is safe and cost operational.

Why Automatic Tube Cleaning is Essential For Shell and Tube Type Heat Exchangers?

April 27, 2024

Ball Collector
Balls Clean Up
Automatic Condenser Cleaning System

Well, yes! In fact, more often than not, the cost of the installing the system is recovered in a matter of few months or a year at max.

The system often pays for itself in less than 1 year. In some cases, its cost is recovered in few months by saving production loss on account of avoiding a compulsory shutdown.  

So, how exactly does it work?

CET-Enviro’s Automatic Tube Cleaning System comprises of specialised balls which are infused into the cooling water flow at regular intervals. The balls travel through the tubes while cleaning them, and are then collected at the outlet. That being done, they are then prepared for the consequent cleaning cycle. Depending on the available space as well as pipe runs, ball traps can be availed in a wide range of shapes as well as flow configurations.

What makes CET-Enviro ACCS worth your while?

 

To begin with, you can rest assured that you won’t need to instigate process shutdowns. In addition, with CET-Enviro ACCS your plant will be free from the use of any chemicals for the cleaning process, thus relieving you from any work related to the disposal of such chemicals. Then again, we offer you a guarantee for zero lost balls, thus ensuring that you enjoy tremendous value for your money.

Now that you’re aware of some of the impressive benefits of ACCS, we are more than sure that you will soon deploy the same for the maintenance of your shell and tube type heat exchangers.

Do you face any problems? You can contact us at: info@cet-enviro.com

Bring About Top-Notch Hotel Energy Efficiency with ACCS

April 27, 2024

Ever wondered what those big noisy boys (usually found in the basement area) meant for? These are the units that could run up your overall electricity bill up to 70 percent when you are running a hotel. These are the chiller units and these are used for generating cold water (4 to 7 Degree Celsius) that gets circulated to the guests & function rooms in the hotel building. These chiller units are used for cooling down the spaces as per the required comforting temperature in any hotel building.

The cooling system of your hotel building is made out of the same component like any refrigerant. The refrigerant gets evaporated in the evaporator and heat gets absorbed. This evaporated heat then condenses in the condenser unit & helps in releasing heat from the hotel building & different units. The condenser unit needs to be cooled, probably brought about by water that keeps circulating over the cooling tower.  

Over the passage of time, mineral deposits & pollutants from the surroundings tend to accumulate over the cooling tower. Gradually, these deposits tend to hamper the overall energy efficiency & performance of the condenser unit as more running hours are required to ensure compensation from the compressor. A wastage or an increase of around 20 to 40 percent of electricity per cooling unit (measured in refrigeration ton) turns out to be an easy reach.

Case study: How our solution helped 5 star hotel save 20% on their electricity?


Eventually, the progression of fouling & scaling tends to unacceptably lower the overall performance. As a result, the guests at your hotel start complaining because of the overall failing of the cooling system. Vast amounts energy gets wasted between such cleaning interruptions due to the activity of the compressor. As such, an advanced Automatic Tube Cleaning System – ACCS or an on-line tube cleaning system can help in easily lowering this energy wastage as it will aid in keeping the condenser tubes clean throughout during operation without any human intervention. Moreover, a high-tech ACCS unit also helps in keeping the overall energy consumption per cooling unit at its lowest possible rate –throughout the year.

With an average energy saving of around 20 percent on the overall electricity consumption by the compressor in your hotel unit, you can bring about effective cost minimization for ensuring top-notch operation. The total savings of the energy over the functional lifespan of the chiller unit in your hotel (around 10 years) will be equal to the investment needed for the next brand-new chiller unit.

4 Ways to Maintain Industrial Cooling Towers and Chillers – How SBR can help?

April 27, 2024

 

Maintaining industrial cooling towers isn’t an easy task if you don’t know much about them.

With a little knowledge, you can make this task simple and efficient for yourself. By proper maintenance, you can enhance the performance and longevity of your chiller as well.

Just follow these tips to maintain your industrial chiller:

Regular Inspection

The fundamental method to maintain your industrial cooling tower is to inspect it regularly. From the gearbox to the water pump, you should do regular inspection to ensure there are no loose components.

Regular inspection will also allow you to spot corrosion, scaling and other similar adverse issues.

When you’ll find these issues before they escalate, you can get rid of them and keep your chiller in optimum condition.  

Removing Deposits of Impurities

Impurities present in the water of the cooling tower gets collected in the system. They hinder the temperature of the chiller. Impure water requires more energy for changing its temperature.

So if you don’t use a cleaning system for your cooling tower, it’s necessary that you clean the tubes regularly and check the chiller for any sedimentation.

The collected impurities can damage the life of your chiller too. So you should remove those deposits regularly for keeping the tower free from any issues.

Improving Airflow

The fans of the chiller should be working properly. Due to some loose components or damaged fan blades, the airflow of the chiller could be disturbed.

Presence of debris in the tower can also result in the formation of sludge which hinders proper airflow.

Formation of algae in the windpipes can also damage the airflow, resulting in blockage and reduced efficiency.

Using SBR for Water Treatment

The water present in the cooling tower plays a crucial role in its operation. However, the presence of various impurities such as dust, minerals, etc. can cause several issues to develop in your chiller.

Scale and Bio-Removal system can help you in treating your water and remove those impurities without hampering the productivity of your chiller.

It keeps the water pure and free from any harmful microbes as well, ensuring that your chiller works with maximum efficiency.

Conclusion

By following the above 4 tips, you can keep your chiller in perfect condition, increase its life and ensure that it takes as low energy as possible.

If you have any questions regarding these tips and topic, feel free to let us know.

And if you liked this article, then don’t forget to share it with others who might find it useful.

 

Save More & Perform More with Advanced ACCS

April 27, 2024

The advanced automatic tube cleaning system, ACCS comes installed with the recently manufactured heat exchangers and is used to keep the tubes clean without taking up a lot of time which eventually results in an enhanced performance of the same. It consists of specialized cleaning balls which at times inject at set intervals right into the cooling water flow. The balls then rub the tubes clean and happen to get trapped at the outlet of the heat exchanger where they are up for the next cleaning cycle.

Typical installations that consist of central chilled water plants which are installed in hospitals or universities can be made more efficient with the use of ACCS as then the man power would also reduce and the work would be done at a faster pace than ever before. The ball traps that you would find in the ACCS can be availed in different sizes shapes and sizes that would ensure about the flow configurations that can easily be integrated with the existing pipe runs and the space for installation. With the help of ACCS you would permanently be able to solve the fouling and scaling problem and can avoid frequent cleaning of the chiller condenser tubes again that might disrupt the chiller operation and make it clean completely.  

The automatic tube cleaning system is essential to ensure about saving the energy , feasible tube cleaning for larger industries, power plants and commercial purposes. Over time, the traditional cleaning methods have proven to be quite inefficient as they require the use of harmful chemicals along with process shutdown. What make ACCS the best today, are reasons given below:

Improve Energy Efficiency by up to 25%

The ACCS prevents the heat exchanger tubes to accumulate mud, scale, or biological fouling. Earlier, these deposits used to get accumulated over time and would eventually degrade the performance of the heat exchanger. With the introduction of ACCS, many clients are able to gain around 10-15% of energy and can save up to as much as 25%.

Case study: How we were able to save energy worthed INR 3 Million for Dr. Reddy’s?

Rapid Monetary Returns

Not just the ACCS results in the improvement of energy efficiency, the entire tube cleaning system tends to eliminate the manual task of condenser cleaning. Also, with this, the life expectancy of the heat transfer equipment also increases rapidly which results in low cost of investment as well. The ACCS can be of great value if you put it to use regularly and would work well for the longest possible time.

 

Energy and Water Saving Trends

Top energy and water-saving trends in the HVAC industry in 2022

October 16, 2023

Maintaining a good water quality throughout the HVAC equipment is vital for the health of the entire cooling system, especially chillers and cooling towers. Any HVAC operator or plant manager would quickly agree that water is the most significant element to evaporative cooling system performance. It’s because water quality is essential for proper heat transfer and the healthy service life of the chillers, process equipment or building systems connected to the evaporative cooling equipment.

Yet, most industries ignore checking the quality of the available makeup water and choose not to invest in ongoing water treatment of the condenser water. While it may seem cost-effective at first, it can impact equipment commissioning and operational water efficiency, shortening the lifespan of the equipment. Hence, this small mistake may end up costing much more in the long term.

Therefore, you must give careful attention to water quality during the initial fill while commissioning an evaporative cooling system. And if you find that your water resources are not viable, you have to retrofit your HVAC system with water treatment technologies like SBR.

It implements innovative electrolysis technology to sterilize the water and maintain suitable and consistent water quality throughout the system even after commissioning. This has a direct impact on the performance of evaporative cooling systems, thus improving system efficiency, available uptime and equipment longevity while lowering the maintenance needs. If you’re still not convinced about the role water plays in HVAC efficiency, read on this blog to know in detail why maintaining consistent water quality should be on top of priority.

 

It can bring down your costs

For any plant owner or HVAC manager, the operating cost of an evaporative cooling system is often viewed as the most crucial deciding factor. However, the quality of the available makeup water and the operating cost of the cooling system are interconnected with each other. With a proactive water treatment program, you can keep your cooling towers and chiller condenser tubes free of scaling, bioaccumulation and corrosion. This way, you end up reducing the maintenance cycle, saving more water than ever and ensuring zero downtime that can lead to a lower total cost of ownership.

It can increase the lifespan of your cooling equipment

When you ignore available makeup water quality and choose not to implement a water treatment program, you leave your equipment more vulnerable to water-based problems. Water is a universal solvent that can dissolve many substances, including gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide. As a result, water can cause corrosion of metals, which can cause unwanted side effects for industrial uses, such as equipment damage. Hence, bad water conditions alone can cause a cooling system to lose as little as two to seven years. However, the same system could last for 15 to 20 years if the makeup water quality is consistently maintained. Hence, a water quality checkup has to be a part of your equipment selection process so you can invest in a water treatment system.

It can prevent water-related problems

As water continues to concentrate in an evaporative cooling system, the dissolved ions in makeup water end up exceeding the solubility of minerals, causing scaling and bioaccumulation. It can lead to harmful bacteria entering your cooling system from the makeup water supply. These bacteria may grow in number, creating more equipment-related problems or an outbreak of airborne microbes like Legionella. However, an automatic water treatment system like SBR continues to clean the makeup water without using harmful chemicals, thus preventing the growth of bio-organisms and keeping you free of worries.

 
 

 

To summarise, water treatment solutions to maintain water quality are the crucial building blocks for all evaporative cooling systems. Implementing an effective treatment program will help you ensure efficient operation of cooling water systems and appropriate service life for the equipment they serve. An automatic non-chemical water treatment system like SBR is the most sustainable option capable of reducing chemical usage while increasing water efficiency. By combining innovative cooling efficiency technologies, this system can effectively tackle challenging water quality while reducing the dependence on chemicals, thereby reducing environmental impacts.

Water Quality In HVAC Refrigeration Systems

Importance of Water Quality in HVAC & Refrigeration Systems

June 17, 2022

Maintaining a good water quality throughout the HVAC equipment is vital for the health of the entire cooling system, especially chillers and cooling towers. Any HVAC operator or plant manager would quickly agree that water is the most significant element to evaporative cooling system performance. It's because water quality is essential for proper heat transfer and the healthy service life of the chillers, process equipment or building systems connected to the evaporative cooling equipment.

Yet, most industries ignore checking the quality of the available makeup water and choose not to invest in ongoing water treatment of the condenser water. While it may seem cost-effective at first, it can impact equipment commissioning and operational water efficiency, shortening the lifespan of the equipment. Hence, this small mistake may end up costing much more in the long term.  

Therefore, you must give careful attention to water quality during the initial fill while commissioning an evaporative cooling system. And if you find that your water resources are not viable, you have to retrofit your HVAC system with water treatment technologies like SBR.

It implements innovative electrolysis technology to sterilize the water and maintain suitable and consistent water quality throughout the system even after commissioning. This has a direct impact on the performance of evaporative cooling systems,  thus improving system efficiency, available uptime and equipment longevity while lowering the maintenance needs. If you’re still not convinced about the role water plays in HVAC efficiency, read on this blog to know in detail why maintaining consistent water quality should be on top of priority.  

It can bring down your costs

For any plant owner or HVAC manager, the operating cost of an evaporative cooling system is often viewed as the most crucial deciding factor. However, the quality of the available makeup water and the operating cost of the cooling system are interconnected with each other. With a proactive water treatment program, you can keep your cooling towers and chiller condenser tubes free of scaling, bioaccumulation and corrosion. This way, you end up reducing the maintenance cycle, saving more water than ever and ensuring zero downtime that can lead to a lower total cost of ownership.

It can increase the lifespan of your cooling equipment

When you ignore available makeup water quality and choose not to implement a water treatment program, you leave your equipment more vulnerable to water-based problems. Water is a universal solvent that can dissolve many substances, including gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide. As a result, water can cause corrosion of metals, which can cause unwanted side effects for industrial uses, such as equipment damage.
Hence, bad water conditions alone can cause a cooling system to lose as little as two to seven years. However, the same system could last for 15 to 20 years if the makeup water quality is consistently maintained. Hence, a water quality checkup has to be a part of your equipment selection process so you can invest in a water treatment system.

It can prevent water-related problems

As water continues to concentrate in an evaporative cooling system, the dissolved ions in makeup water end up exceeding the solubility of minerals, causing scaling and bioaccumulation. It can lead to harmful bacteria entering your cooling system from the makeup water supply. These bacteria may grow in number, creating more equipment-related problems or an outbreak of airborne microbes like Legionella. However, an automatic water treatment system like SBR continues to clean the makeup water without using harmful chemicals, thus preventing the growth of bio-organisms and keeping you free of worries.
To summarize, water treatment solutions to maintain water quality are the crucial building blocks for all evaporative cooling systems. Implementing an effective treatment program will help you ensure efficient operation of cooling water systems and appropriate service life for the equipment they serve. An automatic non-chemical water treatment system like SBR is the most sustainable option capable of reducing chemical usage while increasing water efficiency. By combining innovative cooling efficiency technologies, this system can effectively tackle challenging water quality while reducing the dependence on chemicals, thereby reducing environmental impacts.
For more information about SBR water treatment, click here.

 
 

Top energy and water-saving trends in the HVAC industry in 2022

June 9, 2022

Commercial buildings often draw more water and energy for cooling and heating than for any other use. Even the far more obvious culprits like manufacturing plants and R&D facilities are known for wasting too much water and energy through HVAC systems. While water consumption varies by climate and building type, studies show the HVAC system can account for up to 48 per cent of a building’s energy and water consumption, following by furnace using 31 to 37 per cent, and landscaping accounting for only 18 to 22 per cent.

However, most facility managers have no idea how much water they’re wasting through their HVAC systems. In most cases, a facility’s cooling tower that uses more than 3 gallons of water per ton-hour of cooling means that the HVAC system is running inefficiently. But with simple optimization strategies, operators can cut that usage to 2.5 to 2 gallons per ton-hour of cooling while reducing energy use and costs.

Luckily, cutting this waste is a happy byproduct of optimizing HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption and costs. Improving the efficiency of a central plant’s HVAC system, including automating components for achieving optimal performance in real-time, can cut chiller wastage by significant numbers. That’s why your energy and water savings must go hand in hand.

Hence, you need to start looking for HVAC optimization strategies and environment friendly solutions like SBR & ACCS to reduce HVAC’s water and energy costs, and track savings. However, they should also calculate the most efficient operation of the whole system in real-time through EMOS, an energy monitoring system, automatically and continuously optimizing the performance of the chiller plant.

Fortunately, HVAC products are getting smarter and more efficient day by day, which will help improve indoor environments and energy consumption better in the future. From technology that provides connectivity to your HVAC system and features designed to help improve energy and water savings, Tsur Ben David, CEO - CET Enviro, brings you the top energy and water-savings HVAC industry trends you need to watch out for.

Trend#1: Tracking Down Water Losses

Evaporation is the chief cause of water loss from cooling towers, followed by blowdown. Cooling towers typically store lots of water, leading to bacterial growth and solid buildups. Hence, that water must be replaced with fresh water regularly to prevent corrosion, scaling and let it run efficiently. And when a system is more efficient, less water circulates and less water needs to be flushed out, reducing the bleed-off quantity and the need for blowdown.
The other way to save water is through chillers operations. When chillers function more efficiently, they transfer less heat into the plant’s condenser system and thus reduce evaporation. By improving plant efficiency from 1.0 to 0.75 kilowatt per ton of cooling, facility operators can cut water usage by 10 per cent or more. The result is cost savings, reduced chemical usage, and a decreased carbon footprint. Non-Chemical water treatment technologies for Cooling tower, such as SBR can provide huge savings in maintenance costs.

Trend #2: Reduced Energy Consumption

With more focus on sustainable growth, most HVAC operators are looking for products and solutions that reduce their negative impact on the environment. According to recent studies, 40 per cent of energy consumption in the commercial sector are caused by heating and cooling. However, chillers are the single largest individual user of electricity in commercial and institutional HVAC facilities.
And when the performance of heat exchangers deteriorates due to the accumulation of deposits, biological growth, corrosion on heat transfer surfaces, the energy costs also go up. At some point in the operating cycle, the increased cost of power will be offset by the cost of cleaning.
To prevent this, maintenance and engineering managers need round-the-clock cleaning of chiller tubes, which is only possible through the Automatic Tube Cleaning System (ACCS).
It's an automatic system that continuously cleans heat exchanger tubes while the equipment remains in operation and in full production. With automated maintenance and high-efficiency HVAC units running smoothly, HVAC operators get to reduce their energy consumption and take control of their energy costs. This leads right into our next HVAC trend: long-term energy cost savings.

 
 

Water Treatment Without Chemicals

Importance of Water Treatment Without Chemicals by Tsur Ben David

January 11, 2022

Are you looking for non-chemical water treatment for cooling towers? Is it becoming hard for you to run your water cooler tower smoothly? Absolutely, Yes! Therefore, you have come to the right place! Here we have given you the best solution for water treatment without chemicals. Tsur Ben David has given the solution to avoid a water cooling tower from scaling, fouling, bacterial growth and corrosion. You will get everything about the process of cleaning water for industrial use and maintaining your water cooler condenser working properly.

Sustainability is one of the most important and essential parts of our life. So, SBR (Scaling Bio Remover) technology is an avatar for all the industries that are using a water cooling system. Scaling, fouling, corrosion and bacterial growth in water is a common problem. This stops your system from working smoothly. Scaling bio-recovery will help you to meet sustainable goals.

What is Water Treatment?

Water treatment is to eliminate undesirable components and to reduce their concentration to make the water useful for the end-use. The treated water can be used for industrial purposes and other things as well. Such as using that processed water in a water cooler condenser to make air cool within a building. However, this process took a little longer to clean water and there are other ways too. That will help you to clean the water within your water cooling condenser using four chemicals. These chemicals are corrosion inhibitor solution, antiscalant, dispersant and biocide.

SBR Technology For Water Treatment

Scale and Bio Remover or SBR is a non-chemical water treatment for cooling towers. That you are looking to use for your own water cooler tower. Using this technology of scale and bio remover will meet all your requirements. However, wastage of water in the industries is one of the dangerous things for all types of lives. The earth is 71% of water but only 1% of it is usable for drinking, washing, and using for food wash. Being sustainable is another important task for all of us. If we choose to be in a traditional way this will lead us to end lives. Therefore being green eco-friendly is something that will help us meet the target of sustainability. There is no chance of surviving without water and industries have to think of it, in order to be sustainable.

You have been looking for the innovative SBR that deploys an electrolysis reaction with a cathode and anode in the reaction tank. This generated at the cathode creates a high PH environment in its walls; the result of this reaction is the precipitation of calcium. Magnesium ions in the water reduce scaling and corrosion on the anode site chlorine and other strong oxidizers are generated. Inhibiting bacterial and any biological growth in the cooling tower thus countering biofouling.

SBR treated water is free of hazardous chemicals and can be used for alternate purposes like irrigation. SBR comes with site stream filtration to reduce any suspended solids in the cooling system. Another integral part of

The system is automatic blowdown control equipped with an accurate conductivity sensor. SBR can increase the speed cycles of concentration accordingly reducing your blowdown. By as much as 66% a breakthrough in the cooling tower water management.

Scale and bio remover (SBR) from CET Enviro is a complete package that offers a myriad of benefits and comes with an expert on-site service guarantee 24×7.

What Are the Advantages of SBR

  • Save more than 50% of blowdown water
  • Zero chemicals
  • Environment-friendly
  • Reduce STP
  • Treatment cost
  • Reduce operational cost
  • Improve workplace safety
  • Eliminate risk due to chemicals
  • Reduce Maintenance downtime
  • Enhanced cooling system performance

Do not use chemicals for your cooling tower system. All the hazardous chemicals will decrease the life of your water cooling tower system and you can avoid these problems by using non-chemical water treatment for cooling towers technology. Scaling bio remover is an eco-friendly system and worth ROI.

Common Cooling Tower Problems

However, every cooling tower has common cooling problems which are occurring. The CEO of Cet Enviro: Tsure Ben David has given the solution to all these problems. You can eliminate this problem of a water cooling tower easily and simply. We are working to make things easy, simple and to find new solutions to all these problems. That is making things hard for your industry to maintain a cooling condenser working smoothly for a long time. Here are three common cooling tower problems that you must be working on and keep your cooling system maintained well.

  • The high amount of blowdown.
  • A low cycle of concentration.
  • Noise emissions from cooling towers.

These three problems are common that you will find in every cooling tower. Therefore, you must be maintaining your cooling tower continuously so that you can avoid this problem.

Final thought

This has become an integral part of everyone to work according to the environment. However, water is one of the most important parts of our life and therefore, we have to be sustainable enough. Being part of sustainability is our responsibility and goal. So, natural resources are limited to survive on the earth. To avoid such damage to the natural resources is like blasphemy. Therefore, SBR (Scaling Bio Remover) is one of the solutions that meet the requirements of sustainability and make your system environmentally friendly. Be a part of sustainability and be green to save the environment.

 
 

Sustainable HVAC Technologies

Importance of inspiring leadership in the HVAC industry by Tsur Ben David

November 1, 2021

Learn how Mr Tsur Ben David, CEO, CET-Enviro, has led from front and helped them become a leading name in sustainable HVAC technologies.

Abraham Lincoln said that “character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. While this quote holds weightage in every aspect of life, it holds more value in the business world. So when it comes to business propositions, it is key to ensure that the shadow is a positive reflection of the tree.

Hence, you’ve to understand the thought leadership of the company you’re partnering up with beforehand. And in today’s world of personality-led, values-driven communication, a CEO’s reputation is of critical importance to any firm’s success and is a fundamental driver of building trust and loyalty in business relationships.

In the business world, success is a direct result of what consumers feel when they think of a particular brand. Trust ignites loyalty and loyalty results in success so if your business has a positive reputation – consumers have a greater purpose and need to invest in it, emotionally or commercially. Luckily, CET-Enviro has a great founder and CEO leading their mission and fulfilling their vision, Mr Tsur Ben David.

Read More: The Future of The HVAC Industry – An Insight on Automated Technology by Mr Tsur Ben David, CEO, CET Enviro!

He envisions a world where any industry can provide seamless and pleasant cooling experiences through 24/7 access to innovative products and convenient services. So he set out to do something extraordinary and built CET-Enviro into a prominent name when it comes to helping companies achieve smooth-like-butter HVAC operations supported by reduced waste & costs, better scalability, and higher profitability.

Even during the unprecedented times brought by the COVID pandemic, he never really lost sight of the big picture. Whether it was spotting opportunities in new markets and verticals, leading in a crisis, acting decisively on the issues that matter, or finding ways to give back to the ecosystem and the community, Tsur has proven to be relentless.

It’s because most companies and industries that are dependent on HVAC systems have been forced to go through some extraordinary change. The COVID pandemic has altered their way of serving customers and managing their cooling operations. Hence, there was a rush to quickly adapt to those necessary changes while ensuring business continuity, becoming resilient in dynamic times, and getting ready to face anything in the future.

However, most of the companies and their CEOs only decided to make a digital shift to survive the aftermath of the pandemic and the business challenges brought to their industry. But according to Mr Tsur Ben David, this is a mere band-aid solution to what has to be a longer-term strategic shift on all levels. The true challenge is to transform business operations in such a way so that it not only meets the expectations of customers and internal stakeholders but also keeps you prepared for any foreseeable future.

So in short, businesses have to become more inclusive and sustainable for the years to come. And when it comes to efficient and sustainable technologies in the HVAC industry, there’s one that comes to mind first, which is CET-Enviro. Their commitment to providing unfettered consistency in quality and services from any product manufactured and distributed by them is what sets them as a prominent leader in cooling solutions.

CET-Enviro brings to the market-proven and innovative green technologies in the field of industrial and commercial refrigeration facilities. These solutions optimize cooled chillers with water, condensers and heat exchangers and industrial pipes, energy monitoring systems, water testing equipment and SBR (Scale and Bio-Removal).

The company also understands the importance of being very close to its customers and helping them achieve their energy-saving targets. That’s why they’re highly committed to service excellence and work to deliver a professional, proactive service with every customer contact from their own modernized manufacturing facilities. And the man that’s helping CET-Enviro to do it all with greater efficiency is none other than Mr Tsur Ben David.

If you want to know more about his continuous efforts to transform the HVAC industry for the better, you can check out his published works in the online forum. To save you the manual efforts, we’re sharing the links to some of the blogs authored by Mr Tsur Ben David.

Also Read: HVAC Trends To Look For In 2021 by Tsur Ben David, CEO, CET-Enviro!

Evaporative Cooling Equipment

Importance of routine maintenance in natural-draft and evaporative cooling towers

October 25, 2021

Get a detailed analysis from Mr Tsur Ben David, CEO, CET Enviro

Cooling towers are essential for the proper function of many large-scale plants, industrial buildings, and every commercial facility, such as malls, cinema halls or hotels. It's because these buildings need a comprehensive cooling system to cool down their large spaces. These cooling systems have industrial-scale heat exchangers or chillers to exchange heat with the cooled air and maintain a suitable temperature throughout the premises. However, chillers can only be capable of removing and need help to transfer it outside. That's where cooling towers come in!

Cooling towers are installed on-premises to dissipate heat and cool down water that goes through chillers and other heat exchanger equipment like condenser tubes. Ultimately, it is a heat rejection device that utilises the evaporative cooling process to transfer waste heat from the atmosphere. That's why they're called natural draft & evaporative cooling towers. But to do all that, they've to always store a large quantity of water, which means they're extra vulnerable to water-borne problems like fouling, corrosion, and bioaccumulation. That's why cooling tower cleaning and maintenance should be an integral part of the general maintenance schedule of every organization that utilizes cooling towers.

While regular maintenance is the right way to manage these problems, it also means you must thoroughly clean your cooling from time to time, leading to increased downtime and maintenance costs. However, you can manage these problems much more effectively with a water treatment as it can treat the water and filter out harmful materials like mineral deposits. Hence, a water treatment system should be a vital part of your maintenance plan as it not only increases the efficiency of the cooling tower but also increases the life of the system.

If you’re still not convinced, here are some of the main reasons to consider suitable water treatment for your cooling towers:

Maintains the water quality at optimum levels

Reduces water consumption and blowdown

Improves thermal efficiency in the chillers due to less scaling

Lowers system downtime significantly

Take care of every water-based problem for your cooling tower.

However, there are different types of water treatment methods in practice, such as R.O., softener, deionizer, and the use of industrial chemicals. These solutions are very costly and often require continuous monitoring by staff members. It means you have to implement and maintain these products regularly, which is not a feasible maintenance plan. That's why many cooling tower operators have opted for non-chemical water treatment as it subdues the scale built up in the cooling tower, pipeline, and heat exchange without using any harmful chemicals.

SBR, our innovative cooling tower water management is a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to automatically treat cooling water without chemicals. When it comes to cooling tower maintenance, it's a complete package that offers a myriad of benefits and comes with an expert on-site service guarantee. It continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance and treats cooling water without any chemicals.

The innovative SBR implements a super oxidation process that deploys an electrolysis reaction to break down and control the elements that pollute water quality. As a fully automatic online technology, SBR continuously cleans the cooling tower water and also enables the ongoing flow of clean quality water. It means you don't worry about cleaning your cooling towers, using relatively little water resources and doing it all in an environmentally friendly manner. That's why SBR is one such technology that can help you achieve your sustainability goals in cooling tower maintenance.

Cooling In Medical Industry

Sustainability Remains a Priority For Cooling In Medical Industry

October 12, 2021

Temperature plays a pivotal role in the function and performance of medical equipment. And medical professionals rely on these machines to enhance and save the lives of their patients. With so much on the line, hospitals require a specialized chiller that can provide a superior level of consistency and reliability.

While medical chillers deliver more temperature accuracy, they also need technologies designed to maximize uptime and run 24/7. Hence, this article will help you understand the importance of chillers in the medical industry, including the questions to ask before choosing the best one for your needs.

When it comes to amplifying uptime, the secret is in the management. One of the biggest mistakes is choosing a sub-standard comfort cooling chiller instead of an industrial-grade chiller. While standard comfort chillers have their place in some commercial applications, medical equipment isn’t one of them. Standard chillers lack vital performance capabilities that can significantly decrease component uptime.

Medical equipment requires more power and generates a lot of heat. Even for an MRI machine to function, the magnet inside must stay cool. Medical specialized chillers remove that heat so that they can function properly and give patients the best possible care. They are designed to process cooling for year-round operation, making them ideal for medical components.

They can also maintain consistent performance, whether it’s 125? F or -40? F – or any temperature in between. This expansive swing is possible, thanks to a larger condenser for warm weather and a flooded head pressure control in cold weather.

While these factors are essential in the selection of a medical chiller, uptime and performance are chief concerns. To help ensure you receive the best medical chiller for your application, we’ll walk you through the following questions as part of the medical chiller selection process.

What temperature is required?

Medical equipment requires accurate temperature control to maintain a precise temperature at +/- 1°F.

What flow rate is required?

Medical chillers require a specialized high-pressure pump to ensure fluids flow through the system effectively as the component is operating.

What is the heat load variation?

When medical imaging equipment is scanning, chillers need to handle 100% heat load at 100% for elongated run times.

What is the desired capacity output?

Shifting from a single to a dual circuit medical chiller system can cut capacity output by as much as half. So select an efficient medical chiller that will help you get the most uptime.

What level of redundancy is required?

Medical chillers require additional redundancy options, such as a city water bypass apparatus, to help keep the systems up and running.

How’s the maintenance?

There was always a concern over the use of hazardous treatment chemicals in medical chillers. Our modern technology for round-the-clock cleaning of condenser tube cleaning is Automatic Tube Cleaning System (ACCS). It automatically cleans the heat exchanger tubes in chillers while the equipment remains in operation. It also eliminates downtime while optimizing energy utilization of water-cooled heat exchangers, including chillers. Sharing his thoughts, Mr Tsur Ben David, CEO, CET Enviro said, “In the medical industry, sustainability remains a priority in choosing any powered equipment. However, the best choice depends on the decisions criteria set by the user. So, consider all factors to make sure the chiller that ultimately gets specified balances all the objectives over the long term”

 
 

Air Cooled Vs Water Cooled Chillers

Air Cooled Vs Water Cooled Chillers: How To Choose Between Them

October 12, 2021

Excess heat in HVAC systems can cause downtime, equipment damage, inefficiency, and, consequently, lower profit margins. Industrial chillers help keep HVAC systems running smoothly and buildings cool. With chillers, you can remove exchange heat and keep the process at optimum performance, even when temperatures are high.

That’s why chillers have become a necessity in many industries. They play an important role in the pharmaceutical plants, breweries, hotels as well as meat and poultry processing. Being an integral part of any HVAC system, they provide clean and fresh air to hospitals, keep machines running consistently, and help deep freeze food products until it goes to markets.

So if you’re looking for a chiller for your business, the first thing you’ll need to decide is whether your system is compatible with an air-cooled chiller or a water-cooled chiller. They both have their advantages and disadvantages. Hence, your selection between the two will depend on the needs of your operation including the area, power consumption, local regulations limiting power and water use, or sustainability priorities.

To assist in your research, we have noted down everything you need to know about the air-cooled and water-cooled chillers.

Air-cooled chillers:

Used in both commercial and personal facilities, Air-cooled chillers cool fluids, exchange heat and dehumidify the air. They actively absorb heat from the processed water and then transfer this heat into the air around the chiller unit.

Used in both commercial and personal facilities, Air-cooled chillers cool fluids, exchange heat and dehumidify the air. They actively absorb heat from the processed water and then transfer this heat into the air around the chiller unit.

In this process, heat is absorbed from the chilled water circulating through the evaporator. Then, the compressor pumps the refrigerant vapour to the condenser, thus increasing temperature and pressure. To complete the cycle, the refrigerant flows over the chilled water coils and absorbs more heat.

Air-cooled chillers were mostly popular in areas where additional heat discharge is not an issue but instead works as a benefit. They are also compact and highly efficient heat exchangers, which make them ideal for supplemental, temporary applications. But now they are in a wide variety of settings including hotels, corporate events, restaurants, large-scale construction, industrial and manufacturing plants, etc.

Water-cooled chillers:

Used for large installations, water-cooled chillers are connected with a cooling tower and use a water-cooled condenser to remove excess heat. They use recirculating water from a cooling tower to condense the refrigerant. This water absorbs heat from the process and the heated water returns to the chiller.

The processed water works as a medium for heat transfers which is why water-cooled chillers can often operate more efficiently than an air-cooled chiller. They ensure more consistent performance because of the relative independence to fluctuations of the ambient temperature. Even if water-cooled chillers are more efficient than air-cooled chillers, this is only true if you look exclusively at heat exchange.

Performance: Air-cooled chillers are typically available in compact sizes, ranging from 7.5 to 500 tons. Due to their small size and output, air-cooled towers work only for small areas and facilities. Water-cooled chillers are available from 10 to 4,000 tons with output performance ranging from 35 kW to 14,000 kW. So before choosing your cooling tower, make sure to check for the surface area that needs to be cooled.

Maintenance: Air-cooled chillers do not require cooling towers to operate because they use air to remove excess heat. Water-cooled chillers require cooling towers, which increases maintenance demands such as water treatment, tube cleaning, and tower mechanical maintenance.

To overcome these challenges, systems operators use automated water treatment solutions such as SBR, which prevents fouling, biofouling, reduces downtime, cuts maintenance costs and saves water. While air-cooled towers are easier to maintain, water-cooled chillers are more sustainable and deliver higher cooling capacity with fewer units and a smaller footprint.

Durability: Air-cooled chillers are mostly outdoors and operate at higher condenser pressure while Water-cooled chillers are typically installed indoors. They are less prone to damage and operate at lower condenser fluid pressure. However, they still have a shorter lifespan of 15 to 20 years. But with innovative technology solutions like SBR water treatment and ACCS condenser cleaning system, water-cooled chillers last up to 30 years.

While cost & sustainability remains a priority in choosing any powered equipment, the above factors have to be considered too. While the water-cooled chillers are more energy-efficient, air-cooled chillers have a lower maintenance cost and several other aspects.

Yet, the best choice for the project depends on the decisions criteria that are set by you. So take all factors into consideration to make sure the chiller that ultimately gets specified balances all the objectives over the long term.

 
 

Cooling Towers

Different Types Of Cooling Towers: Know Which One Is The Right Cooling Technology For You

August 17, 2021

Commercial buildings and Industrial machinery generate large amounts of heat while processing. And to stay operational, they need continuous heat transfer which is only possible through a heat exchange process. That is where the cooling technology used in cooling towers comes in handy.

Despite being a technology of the 20th century, knowledge about cooling towers is limited. Some people even believed them to be a source of air pollution. Contrary to popular belief, the only thing they release to the atmosphere is vaporous water. Cooling towers help eliminate excess heat used in industrial operations and transfer it out into the atmosphere.

There are different types of cooling technologies available in the market for achieving this process. However, the function remains the same, which is to transfer heat from the system or a facility to the atmosphere via evaporation. These types of cooling towers are defined by how they use water or air to perform heat transfer. Each of these cooling towers is applicable for certain load configuration, which helps tower operators choose the best option available.

These types include mechanical-draft and natural-draft hyperbolic cooling towers:

Natural-draft cooling towers:

With hyperbole shaped cooling towers, this cooling technology utilizes shape and pressure to move up the air naturally. Typically located outside the buildings, these cooling towers induce a pressure difference between heated air and the surrounding air. Due to this pressure difference, air enters into the cooling tower while the water doesn’t come into contact with the air, which is only possible with a heat exchanger.

The heat exchanger separates the cooling tower water and cools down from the evaporation water while avoiding contact between the process water and the air. By enclosing the heated air in the chimney, it creates a pressure between heated air and surrounding air which then enters into the cooling tower. Due to their sizes, the capital cost of these cooling towers is a little higher from other alternatives. However, its operating and maintenance cost is low because of the absence of electrical fans.

Mechanical draft cooling tower:

 While the process is still the same with a mechanical-draft cooling tower, the only difference is the fan in the cooling tower. In this cooling technology, cooling towers use a propeller or centrifugal fan to circulate the air into the tower and move it up and out in the opposite direction of the warm condenser water of the top of the unit.

 Due to the evaporation of a small quantity of the water, heat transfer occurs between air and the water. The air will carry the heat through evaporating water from the cooling tower into the atmosphere. It allows the water to cool down from a delta of the high-temperature point to the final temperature.

 Unlike natural draft towers, these are enclosed structures and can be located anywhere inside the building. They are much smaller in size than other cooling towers which is why they are mostly used in hotels, hospitals and commercial buildings. Capacity control is also easy in these types of towers since the speed of the fan can be controlled.

 Cooling towers are essential for temperature control and cooling in several industries but it may vary in size, shape and type depending on the building’s needs. From big industries like oil refineries and manufacturing plants to a commercial complex, most facilities have a cooling tower as a part of their HVAC system. Based on your business needs, you can easily choose the right cooling technology and cooling tower type which can help you lower cooling costs, minimize downtime, and improve operational efficiency.

 
 

Automated Technology HVAC Industry

The Future of The HVAC Industry

August 13, 2021

An insight on Automated Technology by Mr Tsur Ben David, CEO, CET Enviro

Technologies like IoT, automation software, online platforms, and interconnectivity have the potential to improve just about every facet of our lives, including the HVAC industry. With the rise of smart and automation technology, consumers expect new buildings to be equipped with the latest technological advances, and the HVAC system is no exception.

The entire HVAC industry is now undergoing a technological revolution to keep up with the ever-changing demands of industrials and commercial buyers. So, if you own a heating and cooling company or manufacture HVAC equipment, then you may be wondering how to keep up with this ever-changing landscape.

There are various software tools and platforms HVAC companies are using for automatic maintenance and cleaning so companies can improve their sales, savings, and outputs. While most of these technologies are still in their first phase, there are some automatic systems available in the market like Automatic Condenser Cleaning System or ACCS.

It’s a fully automatic online tube cleaning system that can keep your chiller free of scaling continuously and also boost its energy efficiency. It also enables chiller operators to regularly clean their chillers without increasing labour costs. Implementing such tools allows HVAC businesses to operate more efficiently by ensuring their clients are taken care of and project accountability is maintained.

As technology becomes more and more advanced, new designs and ideas are emerging to make HVAC an efficient, easily accessible, and sustainable system. These solutions have enabled manufacturers to design equipment that is smaller, more efficient, and effective. It also opened the path to more efficient HVAC designs now, and they will dominate the industry in the future, enabling superior sustainability, cost-efficiency, and comfort. So, let’s take a look at the emerging trends that are shaping the future of the HVAC industry:

Data & Insights

Cooling tower operators and building managers are now using data analytics to make educated decisions about system maintenance, cutting costs and wasting less energy associated with unnecessary equipment operation, inefficient strategies, and faulty equipment. It can help them choose which HVAC systems will be the most energy- and cost-efficient and provide options for them based on their prior use and other factors.

With detailed data generation and analysis reports, HVAC operators can manage energy and operating costs on a routine basis. The data is collated in a specialized Control Panel to calculate the specific power consumption of chillers in ikW/TR. These values are automatically retrieved and updated for real-time, so our consumers can perform an energy load calculation of their residence and select the proper size of equipment needed to cool the home efficiently. It significantly helps in improving the performance potential of chillers.

Smart HVAC Technologies

Artificial Intelligence is at the forefront of many emerging trends because it’s accessible and a lot smarter. The HVAC contractors too can implement this technology to control and manage more efficiently. These systems can also track the conditions outdoors, such as temperature, humidity, brightness, and position of the sun.

HVAC commands produced by the AI “algorithms” and delivered to the thermostat would ultimately control the HVAC unit. For instance, if one part of a building isn’t in direct sunlight, then the system will blow less AC during the summer and more heat during the winter months. If there are smart blinds installed, the system can open and close the blinds based on the position of the sun.

The HVAC industry can now achieve sustainability and efficiency by becoming more environmentally friendly, using automation and smart tech, and analyzing data for peak performance. With software-enabled HVAC systems like ACCS, which is the only online condenser tube cleaning system in India, they’re set to implement innovation into their business strategy and future-proof your company.

Learn How Scaling In HVAC Systems Could Derail Your Business

August 13, 2021

A key challenge for any business is to scale up its existing operations. They also have to ensure that the entire process must be refactored to maintain quality and consistency. In HVAC systems, this can be an even greater challenge.

In an interconnected system, there are many ways to add or remove heat in a facility. And a chiller is the equipment that takes care of it all. So if you want to maintain chiller efficiency during scale-up, you need to carefully review all aspects of the chiller and other cooling systems.

Giving an insight Mr Tsur Ben David, CEO, CET Enviro said, “Mineral scaling is one of the most common problems associated with chillers, and the costs from these issues can be enormous if not treated. By understanding how these issues affect cooling water systems, and their associated cost drivers, facility managers can make informed decisions on proper scale control.

While no article addresses every encounterable challenge of scaling up your business, below, you’ll find about the challenges of scaling in chillers and how to prevent them.

Challenges of Scale Buildup:

Scaling is a hard layer of mineral deposits precipitated from the cooling water and builds on the chiller surfaces. The precipitation of these mineral deposits is more prevalent at higher temperatures. Therefore, scale build-up usually occurs first on heat transfer tubes of chillers.

While some of the symptoms will be seen over time because scale deposits build up over time, small changes in equipment efficiencies can be the first sign of scale growth. Here are some efficiency problems that remind you to tackle your limescale problem:

In this process, heat is absorbed from the chilled water circulating through the evaporator. Then, the compressor pumps the refrigerant vapour to the condenser, thus increasing temperature and pressure. To complete the cycle, the refrigerant flows over the chilled water coils and absorbs more heat.

  • Rise in operational costs (including tube or pump failures or the chiller shutting down due to high head pressure)
  • Increased equipment downtime
  • Increase in heating and cooling energy costs
  • Loss in performance, including high head pressures or pump reading more elevated than usual

“By understanding how these issues affect your HVAC systems, and their associated cost drivers, you can make informed decisions on the proper scale and biological fouling control”. Shared Mr Tsur Ben David.

So let’s take a closer look into these signs:

A rise in operational costs

When your energy consumption is rising with no change in facility operational hours, there’s a good chance you’ve got scaling in your chillers. Scale deposits reduce the heat transfer surface on chiller systems, leading to significant increases in energy costs.

When scaling is impeding the energy coefficients, more energy is required to achieve the same level of heating or cooling. Also, the build-ups in condenser tubes mean your pumps work harder to move the same amount of fluid.

It not only increases electricity costs but may lead to premature pump failure. Increased fuel costs mean increased building operating and maintenance costs, which affect the profitability of your business.

Increase in equipment downtime

Without regular cleaning, scale deposits will eventually require complete removal for the equipment to function. And the equipment may be out of operation for days or weeks, depending on the volume of build-ups.

Unexpected downtimes van quickly cut into the operational capability of a building. If all HVAC systems serving a business are down, the business may have to shut down its operation entirely until the problem is fixed. That’s why preventing equipment downtime is one of the most significant concerns for facility managers.

All equipment experience some sort of downtime for maintenance, but when equipment downtime sharply increases for cleaning, it may be evidence of a larger scale build-up problem. You need to realize that practising correct preventative maintenance plans on chillers can prevent downtime.

Loss in performance

The performance of HVAC systems depends on the efficiency of boilers, chillers, heat exchangers or cooling towers. That’s why any performance loss is first noticed by monitoring the key performance indicators of these systems.

Scale build-up inside the chiller or heat exchanger is the main cause behind the loss of performance. It not only leads to inadequate heating or cooling results but also ends up costing too much in maintenances costs and replacement. Inadequate performance and efficiency of HVAC systems can also increase the heating and cooling costs.

While there are different methods for controlling scale build-up, they generally fall into two categories – chemical and mechanical. However, both require regular checks and will not prevent scale deposits entirely. So vigilant monitoring of system performance is required.

Said Mr Tsur Ben David, “With CET Enviro’s ACCS, you can automatically clean heat exchanger tubes while the equipment remains in operation and full production. It’s an online method that infuses some slightly oversized elastomer balls periodically into the Condenser tubes and keeps the tubes free of fouling 24×7”.

“We have designed this system to suit the specific requirements of Water Cooled chillers, with R&D done in Israel and already have more than 1000 installations across the globe” said Mr David.

Legionella Maintenance Cooling Towers

Learn why Legionella maintenance is critical for cooling towers?

July 12, 2021

 

The cooling tower has become a crucial part of cooling systems and is now present in every commercial facility. It helps HVAC systems to transfer excess heat from the different processing equipment and machinery used in the manufacturing facilities while maintaining optimal temperature. And like any other equipment, cooling towers also need to be regularly and properly maintained to ensure efficiency.

However, the drawbacks of poorly maintained cooling towers are not economical. It can also cause health hazards within the facilities. Bacteria, insects, pollen, dust, debris, and other particles inside the cooling tower serve as an ideal environment for bacterial growth. An infestation will only cause reduced heat transfer efficiency and clogged piping but can also lead to the development of harmful Legionnaires disease-causing bacteria.

Why Is Legionella a Concern for cooling tower operators?

Legionnaires disease is a severe type of pneumonia that affects the lungs and is caused by legionella. It’s generally present in local water sources in benign amounts. The health risk arises when these bacteria are allowed to grow and spread without being treated, particularly in industrial cooling systems. It can rapidly grow in stagnant water and multiply to dangerous levels if left untreated.

These microbes are capable of colonizing in warm water environments, including domestic HVAC systems and cooling towers. In cooling towers, the outdoor air intakes are located downwind of the towers. While transferring heat to cool down the warm water, the vapour is released into the air. This moist air can carry the Legionella bacteria and expel them into the air and ventilation. The expelled Legionella bacteria can be inhaled by the building occupant and cause a massive Legionnaires outbreak.

What leads to legionella growth in cooling towers?

 There are various factors in play that become a cause of legionella growth in cooling towers and can become a breeding ground for it. Some of the main causes of Legionella are:

scaling: Scaling is the deposition and accumulation of unwanted materials and minerals from the water, collected inside the water system. It%E2%80%99s a layer of solid build-up, which interferes with the efforts of heating or cooling the water. It can lead to unpredictable or higher water temperature and serve as a breeding ground for bio-growths. As a result, legionella and other bacteria proliferate due to scale build-up in the cooling water systems.

sediment: Sediment is the left-over solids of minerals and natural material that is left down in water sources from the processes of erosion. It grows in unfiltered water that is not properly treated and may grow in a protected environment due to poor maintenance. When sediment builds up, it leads to more germ build-up including legionella and also compromises the heating and cooling systems.

Stagnation & pH: When water is stagnant without proper care and maintenance, it gives an opportunity to biofilm for growth. The other reason for stagnant water may also include pipes that have low to no flow of water. As a result, this sitting water gets warmer, creating an ideal environment for bacteria, like legionella. Which is why it's essential to maintain a required level of pH balance of the water is between 6.5 and 8.5. The chemicals, changes in the environment due to pollution, and the amount of plant or organic material in water influence also helps bio growths in the water sources

Unfortunately, many facility managers still undermine the importance of cooling tower maintenance in preventing Legionella growth. Oftentimes, facility managers and even some cooling tower suppliers don’t schedule maintenance and inspection works until a major problem occurs. With a proper water management system, you will not only guarantee efficiency, reliability, and longevity but also prevent costly repairs and replacements as well as bacteria growths.

Importance of cooling tower water treatment

A proper cooling tower water treatment like SBR can help you with the prevention of Legionnaires disease in the long run. Cooling towers hold large amounts of water, which makes them an ideal environment for the growth of Legionella bacteria. To avoid the growth of Legionella bacteria, SBR performs regular and proper cleaning and maintenance, as well as effective cooling tower water treatment.

With our innovative cooling tower water treatment, you can ensure that the water in your cooling system is always in pristine condition. With SBR, you will not only prevent untimely downtime, but also the growth and production of Legionella bacteria within your cooling system.

 
 

Water Sustainability Good for Business

Learn how water sustainability can be good for your business

July 12, 2021

The issue of water sustainability was never on the agenda of most businesses. But in recent years, it has become evident that their survival depends on it. The commercial sector is the second-biggest consumer of publicly supplied water, accounting for over 15.9 billion gallons of water per day. However, water sustainability is now moving up the business agenda, with more businesses working to decrease this number each year.

Businesses are starting to understand just how important it is to make changes — both for the business and the planet. The discussion of water sustainability is not only limited to environment meetings and climate debates anymore. It has now found its way to the board room meetings and annual reports, especially in the business world.

Water is a basic necessity of all life on Earth, as well as the economy. But most of the water supply is corrupted by pollution, climate change, overuse, scarcity and countless other problems. Therefore, the importance of freshwater and advocacy for the sustainable management of freshwater resources is a reminder to take a closer look at their conservation efforts.

While businesses have started seeing water as a precious resource, they’ve also identified the opportunity to save money. By focusing on long-term solutions that add to their sustainability value, businesses can operate more efficiently and effectively. With water management at the centre of their environmental strategy, they can overcome the challenges of increasing cost and waste while using water more sustainably.

It is an opportunity for businesses to step up and embed more sustainable practices in their supply chains – not only to help the environment but to meet the demand of consumers who are increasingly changing their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the planet. But the question is if a business wants to change its water management strategy, where should it start?

So the first step to water sustainability is to identify the possible water scarcity risks facing your company and review the major water issues. Different types of businesses also use water differently and in varying amounts. So by defining the opportunities, they can set a course for their water sustainability program.

Some of these opportunities include decreasing water scarcity risks, reducing costs through resource conservation and achieving competitive advantage through improving environmental performance. Next, they need to take a closer look at their water consumption model.

Businesses must keep detailed records of their water usage by installing meters to gather data at regular intervals. They can also collect data from a water or energy management system for a complete picture of your water-related costs, including utility bills, equipment operation and treatment costs.

At CET-Enviro, we help corporates to be profitable with much smaller water use and carbon footprint. As a pioneer in the water sustainability model, we are offering support to businesses customers in the form of our water-saving technologies, developed to reap the benefits of reducing waste and using resources more efficiently.

To recycle more water while building a consensus, we provide an automated “Green” technology that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance without any chemicals. It prevents biofouling, scaling in water systems, which mean 100% savings on chemicals, 20% – 40% decrease in water usage, 5% – 15% lower energy costs and 10% – 50% reduction in labour costs.

For more info about our water-saving solution, please visit : https://cet-enviro.com/non-chemical-water-treatment-for-cooling-tower/

Water Saving Cooling Tower Management

Basics water-saving measures to take for cooling tower management

July 12, 2021

A critical component of responsible water management is to understand when and where all the water in a building is getting wasted. That’s why building managers need to look deeper into the ubiquitous cooling towers for achieving water sustainability in commercial facilities. While plumbing and irrigation systems are some of the main culprits, cooling towers are the ones who might need it the most.

The reason is that cooling towers are specially designed to transfer heat from a system using the power of evaporation. Given that their purpose is to dissipate heat from recirculating water, they have to use a lot of water. All this evaporation, however, is wasteful and results in extreme water loss and raised costs.

However, all of this can be avoided. With the proper management of cooling towers, you can improve the efficiency of the cooling tower. Here are some basic measures that you can take to lower water wastage while increasing their efficiency.

Increase CoC:

 For heat transfer, fresh makeup water is used in the cooling towers, which is only usable before the dissolved minerals build up to an extent where they drop out of the solution. CoC is the number of times a cooling tower recycles water before the blow down.

Typically, a CoC of three is considered best for optimal efficiency. However, the water quality and the water treatment determine the number of cycles a cooling tower system can endure. To increase the cycle, you can minimize chemical use or invest in a non-chemical water treatment system. It can reduce the potential for corrosion, scaling and biological growth, which allow the towers to operate safely at higher concentration ratios.

scaling:

 It occurs within a cooling tower when the concentration of dissolved solids becomes greater than their solubility in the water. Calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate and other calcium salts commonly cause scale which impacts the heat transfer surfaces in your tower and lower your cooling efficiencies. Scale Remover STSR is a cooling tower descaler chemical that has been used for cooling tower cleaning and cooling tower maintenance. Without cleaning and maintenance, equipment may need costly repairs, shutdowns or even replacing.

Reduce blow down:

 With no treatment in place to prevent scaling and biological growth, many cooling tower operators increase blow down. This strategy, however, can also increase corrosion by lowering the pH and water loss.

Instead, you can try careful monitoring, establishing and adhering to set points and installing a conductivity meter to reduce water wastage. You not only save lots of water but also reduce sewage, another potentially significant cost savings.

Monitor water levels and install flow meters:

 When the water level is too high, it can lead to water loss. It can cause strong airflow in the sump that tends to leak and set off water overflow. That’s why you must replace the ballcock-style fill valves with more reliable fill valves. Also, keep checking the water level to ensure that it is adequately below the overflow outlet.

For effective water management, It is essential to keep track of makeup and blow down quantities. That’s why you must install flow meters on both makeup and blow down water lines. They will help you check the ratio between blow down water and makeup water. The proportions have to match the target cycles of concentration. If it isn’t matching then, it will help you catch the performance degradation timely.

Invest in a water treatment system:

 While a water treatment reduces the cost to treat makeup water, it will also maintain an optimal recommended system water cycle of concentration.

That’s why it’s vital to achieve water efficiency in industrial cooling towers. At CET-Enviro, we offer SBR, a non-chemical automatic water treatment that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance.

These are some of the basic measures to reduce water loss from your industrial cooling tower system. To start saving, implement them and invest in systems that efficiently minimize water wastage.

 
 

Data Center Cooling System

Importance of cooling in Data Centers

May 10, 2021

Data centers play a major role in shaping the world around us and have become an integral part of our day-to-day lives. Computers in any data center work 24/7 at high rates and consume a lot of electricity. Due to high power consumption and non-stop functioning, they tend to get exceptionally hot which harms the performance with frequent failures and increased downtime.

The absence of a proper data center cooling system can cause a loss of valuable information that can have a sizeable impact on any company especially those driven by data. As a rule, the more the servers placed in a data center, the higher the temperature can reach. And, if temperature shoots up beyond a permissible point, the servers will stop performing at the peak, and at the worst, they could even burn out.

This is why cooling plays such a crucial role in any data center. This advocates the need for sophisticated and robust cooling systems to make computers and servers in a data center work uninterruptedly and at their peak.

Data Centre Cooling System Options:

There are multiple ways to cool data centers, depending on the size, computer capacity that must be cooled, regional energy costs, water availability, data load, and density. Popular options include:

  • Water-cooled chiller plant – includes chiller system, pumps, cooling tower water treatment, and plate/frame heat exchanger in series with the chiller
  • Air-cooled chiller plant – includes chiller system and pumps
  • Direct evaporative cooling – without mechanical refrigeration, also referred to as “swamp cooling”
  • If you compare, water cooling with air cooling, you may find air cooling a more popular option but water cooling is a better and more cost-effective option. The air has poor heat conductivity, meaning that the amount of energy required to chilling down air to the required temperatures to remove the heat and move it is becoming somewhat expensive. Water has much more capacity to remove heat than air and can therefore be far more effective to cool hotspots if it’s engineered and implemented correctly. Surprisingly, water-cooled systems can also reduce water consumption. Because the water used in a power plant to generate the additional power required by the air system needs is greater than the amount of water that would be used locally by a water-cooled system.

    The benefits of water cooling systems include:

  • Tenfold increase in server density,
  • Much less energy required for cooling,
  • Less time for production and return on capital,
  • Increased infrastructure reliability,
  • No need for re-characterizing air flows before moves, adds, or changes,
  • Much improved work environment (noise reduction).
  • In reality, cooling towers do not keep things cool as much as they reject heat, which they do by transferring heat from the water source to the atmosphere through the process of evaporation (latent) and sensible heat transfer, thereby reducing the water temperature. The industries use cooling water for various jobs and, as a result, there are also various types of cooling towers.

    A properly chosen and maintained cooling tower can help organizations avoid problems in their operation. Choices must be made based on size, efficiency, dynamics, and other factors.

    Scale and Bio-Removal System from Cet-Enviro:

    Our Scale and Bio-Removal System (SBR) provides non-chemical treatment of cooling towers to get rid of cooling tower problems like biofouling, scaling, and corrosion.

    Cooling system water quality directly affects the reliability and operating cost of cooling towers in data centers. The SBR solution is a fully automatic online technology that continuously cleans cooling tower water without any chemicals and increases the cooling performance.

    Also, learn about the importance of energy management systems in cooling towers

    Advantages with SBR are:

  • 100% savings on chemical costs
  • 20-40% decrease in water usage
  • 5-15% low energy consumption
  • Environment Friendly
  • The sole purpose of data center cooling technology is to maintain environmental conditions suitable for information technology equipment (ITE) operation. In most data centers, the operators expect the cooling system to operate continuously and reliably, and with SBR technology, you can be well assured of your cooling system working at its optimal performance.

    Automatic Condenser Cleaning System for Chillers – the ultimate system to keep the condenser tubes in chillers free of fouling 24/7.

    Energy Management System In Chillers

    Importance of energy Management System In Chillers & Cooling Towers

    April 16, 2021

    Cooling towers are a major component in a commercial, industrial and institutional facility and comfort cooling systems. They often account for the maximum energy consumption in any HVAC system. A poorly maintained cooling tower reduces chiller efficiency, increases energy consumption and maintenance cost and ultimately leads to system failures.

    The building sector, one of the fastest-growing sectors in India alone accounts for approximately 35% of the total energy consumption and is growing at a rate of 8% annually (Bureau of Energy Efficiency). Commercial buildings in India account for nearly 8% of the total electricity supplied by the utilities. Electricity usage in the sectors has been growing at about 11%–12% annually. Electricity use is primarily from lighting, space conditioning, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning) appliances and equipment (including IT equipment), and water heating (Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Scheme for BEE Star Rating for Buildings – BPO, December 2009).

    As the maximum energy-saving potential primarily lies in HVAC or cooling systems, making cooling systems as energy efficient as possible is, therefore, an important component of reducing operating costs. Despite being one of the most important components and their sizeable impacts on facilities, cooling towers are the least maintained utility in industries. Of course, the cooling tower energy consumption is relatively less compared to other utilities but the indirect impact on energy consumption of other systems (Chillers) connected to the cooling tower will be high stressing the need for cooling tower efficiency assessment and improving the same through a reliable Energy Management System for cooling towers and chillers.

    The need of the hour is an efficient Energy Management System that can make cooling systems operate efficiently and reliably to their maximum potential even if they are installed in outdoor settings that subject them to extreme heat, dirt, rain, dust and organic contamination. A good energy monitoring and controlling system can help reduce costs and consumption.

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    When you are looking for an energy management system, you need to consult experts having in-depth knowledge about it. Such units can be challenging to channel, especially when they are connected to each other and also to one or more cooling towers.

    The energy consumptions are closely attached to their subsystems’ efficiency, such as compressors, exchangers, pumps, evaporators and more. These subsystems are also profoundly reliant on other equipment such as cooling towers; cooling tower fills, distributors of pumps and chillers, which in turn have a formal and optimum efficiency.

    Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) by Cet-Enviro is the most effective and reliable system that automatically records specific power consumption of chillers most accurately 24×7.

    EMOS helps to save at least 20% to 40% in chiller energy use. EMOS will continuously collect, analyze and report on chiller operating data through the internet facility integrated into the EMOS system and connected to a cloud-based server.

    The critical information collected at the server can be used to manage energy and operating costs on a routine basis and this significantly helps in improving the performance potential of a chiller.

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    Our Energy Monitoring System provides multiple features such as:

    • Cloud-based, real-time measurement
    • Easy dashboards to read equipment performance
    • Detailed data generation and analysis report
    • Compatible with any building HVAC system
    • Lower lifecycle costs

     

    Common Cooling Tower Problems and solutions

    Cooling Towers & high risk of deadly LEGIONELLA in times of Covid-19

    February 20, 2021

    In this new era of COVID-19, the idea of dealing with yet another deadly illness is a scary thought. Read on to learn more about Legionella disease and why you should be aware of it and, how to mitigate the associated risks?

    Why Legionella is a concern now?

    After months of no operation, many buildings and sectors have started to operate in half or partial capacity. This also implies that they have started to function building cooling systems and water heating systems to showers that had remain inactive during the time building was closed for operation and on pretext on winter season. When properties are closed for an extended period, for any reason, unsafe conditions can develop in building Cooling system. These can pose serious health risks.

    Harmful microorganisms, particularly Legionella bacteria, can grow in the stagnant or standing water supply, which is a concern for safely reopening Cooling towers, and reopening floors at hotels and long unused rooms. For all maintenance managers, the risk of Legionella could pose yet another big problem as it is as deadly and dangerous as Covid-19, and hence the ignorance may turn fatal.

    The legionellae were originally transitory contaminants of environment but have since been recognized as natural components of freshwater ecosystems.

    Fresh water used for air conditioning and plumbing systems has been left stagnant in many industrial buildings and businesses that were closed for COVID-19. When water is stagnant, hot water temperatures can decrease to the Legionella growth range (25–42°C, 77–108°F). Stagnant water can also lead to low or undetectable levels of disinfectant, such as chlorine.

    The risk presented by Legionella is one of the tough challenges that facility and maintenance teams face on routine basis to keep their facility and surrounding area safe.

    How is Legionella disease like Covid-19?

    Like Covid-19, Legionella bacteria attacks lungs and is mostly caused by breathing in water containing legionella germ. Infection is acquired through breathing in aerosols (very fine droplets of water) which contain the bacteria.

    Like Covid-19, people those are older or those who have weakened immune system are more prone to Legionella disease. Going by reports, both diseases have similar symptoms.

    However, unlike Covid-19, Legionella is not a pandemic disease. It is not passed from person to person, nor is it acquired by drinking water contaminated with Legionella. Also, Legionella is a bacteria, while Covid-19 is a virus. None-the-less, both poses high risk to life and need prevention.

    Those at risk of exposure of Legionella, include not only those who work in the premises but also others in the vicinity. Facility team involved in handling Cooling tower may be at increased risk.

    Most of legionella outbreaks could be prevented with effective water management and effective cooling tower water treatment techniques.

    The most critical industry at helm of risk is Hotel and Hospitality sector and Hospitals. All buildings where Cooling Tower is situated at roof, or where people can be exposed to spray from the cooling towers pose very high risk of transmitting Legionella bacteria.

    Hot water distribution pipe network via showers are also potential risk points as temperature is ideal for expended grow of the Legionella bacteria.

    It will remain important for people to continue to take prudent steps to protect themselves and follow the recommendations specific to reopening after prolonged shutdowns.

    Exposure to the droplets falling from Cooling tower can be avoided completely by paying close attention to the mechanical design of the Cooling Tower equipment or by treating the cooling tower water with new effective technologies.

    In some countries it the legal requirement to carry out frequent risk assessments on cooling towers, to identify and assess any Legionella risk presented by the system, or any work associated with it.

    Check to mitigate the risk of Legionella!

    Ensure that your water system is safe to use after a prolonged shutdown to minimize the risk of Legionnaires’ disease and other diseases associated with water.

    4 steps to follow before reopening buildings after prolonged period of inactivity!

    • Ensure that cooling towers are clean and well-maintained!
    • Ensure that the tower and basin are free of visible slime, debris, and biofilm before use
    • Treat stagnant water
    • Take monthly test for the Legionella bacteria
    • Old prevention techniques involve harmful chemical dosing in the Cooling Tower to prevent Legionella and other ills.

    But how dangerous is it, exactly?

    Is normal chemical treatment effective to destroy the Legionella bacteria ?

    Handling & storing Chemicals for Cooling tower water treatment always remain a challenge. User is normally unsure on amount of chemicals to be added to get the best desired results. Normal oxidation of chlorine and other halogen-based chemicals at normal levels do not impose risk on equipment or risk of exposure in shower water, however studies shows that they are not 100% effective on destroying the Legionella bacteria. Super shock treatments are practically difficult to handle when the busing is occupied.

    One proactive (and preventive) measure would be to choose the most advanced techniques to help minimize legionella growth. In recent years, the electrolytic disinfection process has gained popularity to offer a wide applicability in prevention of legionella bacteria and to treat Cooling Tower water for other ailments.

    SBR – by CET ENVIRO is an Electrolysis treatment that comes with side-stream filtration. It is your cooling tower’s and hot water first line of defense against many issues. Without filtration, the solid buildups, airborne dirt, and pollen have the potential to foul and possibly halt the inner operation of any cooling tower water treatment. This type of scaling and fouling also gives room for bacteria such as Legionella to grow.

    The electrolysis reaction is known to produce super oxidation power that is found to be very effective in prevention of the Legionella bacteria.

    Amazingly, SBR Electrolysis system produces a mixture of oxidizers!

    This includes free chlorine Ozone, Chlorine-dioxide, and free radicals. This is a strong combination to actually sterilize the water.

    A water filtration system removes suspended and settled solids, which can help improve energy efficiency of cooling system and prevent health risks posed by waterborne bacteria. The use of electrolysis filtration system can also help in trouble-free operation and savings in maintenance costs. SBR does it all, without using any chemicals.

    Click here for more information about SBR electrolysis technology!

    NEW CONCERNS FOR LEGIONELLA AFTER CORONAVIRUS: Reopening Buildings

    Going by the reports, the cases and outbreaks due to legionellae are expected to grow in 2021 even as the world gets ready with Corona Vaccine. Especially due to building closures or reduced operations with fewer people returning to full-time building operations is expected during year 2021. The reduced consumption of water can cause water stagnation in building water systems, increasing the risk for growth and spread of Legionella.

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    COVID-19 is an emerging, rapidly evolving situation. Legionella is perpetual. As we look forward to life and work after the coronavirus pandemic, we should remain vigilant about Legionella disease and take preventive measures to reduce the extent of waterborne respiratory disease.

    SBR Electrolysis system in action.

    Top 5-star hotel chains in India implemented SBR technology in their top-line properties and it showed amazing results. Similar results were seen in other installations including leading mall chains, top IT hubs, pharma sector and hospitals.

    If you want to immediately protect your Cooling Towers, hot water systems and the employees handling these systems from the HARMFUL LEGIONELLA BACTERIA, contact us for more information.

    Click here to know more information on the Legionella preventive programs that we offer!

     
     

    Energy Management System for Business

    Why you need an energy management system for your business

    February 16, 2021

    In today’s time, businesses are willing to do whatever it takes to stay competitive and sustainable. One of the biggest concerns for them is Electricity bills are getting bigger and cost higher. But the right measures that also improve efficiency can help them reduce the cost of electricity bills and bring significant benefits.

    That’s why more and more companies are going green within their operations. Even consumers are starting to prefer sustainable products. They place more value on eco-friendly practices when choosing a product or service. From LED lights to energy-saving HVAC technologies, businesses are implementing a range of strategies to lower their carbon footprint while improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs.

    Some other solutions might include building sealing and insulation, power factor correction, and choosing the power supply. As per an energy efficiency report, energy efficiency improvements since 2000 have prevented a 12% increase in energy use in 2017. But it does not mean that you need to start making changes in every possible aspect.

    Before proceeding, you should identify which energy reduction strategies will best suit your business needs. Controlling and improving the energy consumption of your organization is highly important because it allows you to reduce electricity costs and carbon emissions. However, this can only be possible with an energy management system.

    An energy management system will identify opportunities to save energy and also help you to implement them. With this knowledge, you can monitor your progress and further manage your energy consumption. Failure to implement an energy management strategy could cause you to experience a loss in functionality, a sudden increase in energy price, power outages or lack in energy supply. That’s why you need a complete energy management system.

    Keep reading to learn about the benefits of energy management systems and why you need one, and how you can effectively put one into effect at your organization:

    To understand Your Power Factor:

     Power factor represents the difference between the total input of power and utilized power. All industrial processes that involve machines may draw inefficient currents of power to process. Your power factor helps you identify the amount of power they’re using to produce results.

    A low power factor means that your utility company is drawing more power than required and electricity companies may charge you for this wasted power. With an energy management system, you will be able to identify a low power factor and take the steps to reduce your energy costs significantly.

    To identify your energy needs:

     The benefits of an energy management system also include understanding the consumption patterns. It will help you identify the sessions and processes that are using your energy most intensely. It can also pinpoint the reason for energy waste with advanced data analytics while identifying the best mode of actions to increase efficiency and reduce consumption.

    Besides, if your business has operations in different locations, energy management systems will provide benchmarks across all your operations. You will then understand your impact on the power grid and be able to determine which business operations use the most energy. Hence, reduction in your electricity consumption will transform costs to savings and better your consumption patterns.

    To prepare for a sustainable future:

     If you want your business to be sustainable, you need it to keep evolving. The biggest benefit of an energy management system is that it can help you identify room for continuous improvement. It always keeps an eye on whether your business’s energy consumption is as efficient as it can be.

    By tracking your energy consumption, it assesses the quality of your power so that you always have the right amount of power when you need it. With this information, you can prevent maintenance downtime, eliminate risks while ensuring the best outcomes across your energy portfolio. Then you can continually benefit from the energy management system in the future too.

     
     

    Chennai Water Crisis

    Chennai Water Crisis: A wake-up call for Indian industries

    December 29, 2020

    Industries operating throughout the Indian subcontinent are focused on financial strategies to win in the marketplace. While most of them spend a great deal of time and money planning and preparing for economic stability, they also need to consider important issues such as sustainability and business continuity.

    But there’s another challenge all industries must acknowledge which involves something that has been taken for granted in our business and personal lives: water. While water shortage is a common issue for the agriculture sector in India, and many people in other parts of the world, it was not typically considered to be a threat to businesses. But the most recent case of this problem, the 2019 Chennai Water Crisis has shattered this perception.

    This crisis has created serious issues that many industries have not seen before. After two years of inadequate rainfall from monsoons, which supply water to the region’s four main reservoirs, there is very little water for residents of the city. The amount of available water dropped so severely that private water suppliers could not provide enough water for companies – even those that could afford higher prices.

    Most industries in the city’s diversified economy were affected by this crisis, which caused disruptions in production schedules, higher operation costs and a reluctance to invest in expansion because of the uncertainty about future water supplies. Some industries even decided to close offices because of the water shortage, a scenario they had never before into our business continuity management (BCM) planning.

    With no solution in sight, BCM teams rushed to devise mitigation strategies like how to develop and implement water-management and reuse strategies - such as rainwater collection and treatment to reduce wastewater in facilities. But one question is increasingly being asked about the ubiquitous cooling towers sitting atop just about every facility and commercial building.

    HVAC systems function in a critical role in many industries. Chillers and cooling towers typically consume the largest percentage of electricity and water in commercial buildings. Whether concerns about energy efficiency, building sustainability, operations and maintenance, or indoor air quality (IAQ), more visibility is required. A more realistic examination of cooling tower greenness will contemplate improved sustainability, greater energy efficiency, added water conservation and smaller carbon footprint – plus some cost ramifications involved in achieving business goals.

    However, the good news is that the HVAC industry has come a long way, and the recent breakthroughs in renewable energy and smart technology like SBR are making these systems more sustainable than ever before. It is a fully automated and green technology that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance and treats cooling water without any chemicals. It helps you get rid of Biofouling, scaling, and corrosion that reduces the efficiency of your cooling system without any chemical feeds or discharge, which means 100% savings on chemicals, 20% – 40% decrease in water usage and 10% – 50% reduction in labour costs.

    The availability of clean water moves beyond any industry need; it is a requirement for survival that will determine whether our coming generations can enjoy a sustainable future. Therefore, we need to raise awareness in industries about the importance of water management and reusable strategies in their facilities. With that approach in mind, the ultimate in cooling tower sustainability is a model that can outlast the building it services.

    Cooling Tower Problems

    Learn about the common cooling towers problems and how to prevent them

    December 14, 2020

    In every industry, there are heating and ventilation systems that use cooling towers to remove heat from an industrial process or for cooling large buildings. However, some common issues can occur in cooling towers regularly. Therefore, it’s important to know what to look out for in advance, which can help you save time and resources down the line.

    The laws and regulations to improve water efficiency and the need to reduce costs means that cooling towers need to be running as efficiently as possible. In order to keep your cooling system at optimum performance, there are a few things that should look out for. This will help you understand common cooling tower problems & solutions so you can optimize your cooling tower water treatment for more efficiency.

    In this blog, we’ve listed down some of the most common problems with cooling tower water and how to solve them.

    Problem: High amount of blowdown

    Cooling towers remove excess heat by evaporation, and in turn use lots of water to make up the difference. Due to the makeup water being added into the cooling tower, solid deposits can remain in the cooling tower. This increases the need for a “blowdown” which removes solid waste and dissolved solids buildup to prevent scaling or corrosion in the equipment. When blowdown occurs, a huge amount of circulation water is also lost along with the solid waste, so it’s important to monitor this closely.

    Solutions: If your cooling towers require a higher-than-normal amount of blowdown, you need to invest in an efficient water treatment solution for your cooling towers. Depending on the issue, some other solutions to prevent excess cooling tower blowdown include:

    • Water filtration
    • Side-stream filtration
    • Increased cycle of concentration
    • Maintain quality of makeup water by removing scale forming and corrosion causing impurities.

    Problem: Low Cycle of Concentration

    In cooling towers, CoC helps measure how much concentrated buildup is in the cooling tower water compared to the ratio of makeup water. The higher cycle of concentration means the lesser need for makeup water and blowdown, thus saving water and cost. The ideal ratio is at least three to six cycles of concentration which is 3 to 6 times the concentration of deposits in the water cycle than the makeup water. In systems operating at a low cycle of concentration, water consumption can increase rapidly, causing excess costs.

    Solutions: In many water treatment systems, the quality of the water cycle, makeup water, and type of cooling tower being used will dictate the necessary treatments to achieve the best cycle of concentration for your facility. However, some solutions that can help in increasing your cycles of concentration are:

    • Better cooling tower control by a water treatment system
    • Minimizing blowdown monitoring conductivity
    • pH/alkalinity control to minimize scale formation
    • Decreasing feed hardness, iron, and silica
    • Managing microbial growth

    Problem: Noise emissions from cooling towers

    Cooling towers can produce high levels of noise, which might be problematic in certain applications that produce huge out loads where sound reduction is imperative, such as hospitals, residential areas, hotels and commercial buildings. There are also stringent noise regulations and laws in place to prevent unnecessary noise pollution. Therefore, cooling towers have to abide by these rules and make sure the noise they produce is in check.

    Solutions: The primary sources of noise from cooling towers are fans, fan motors, and the airflow. There are some noise control solutions that can be implemented in cooling towers. With a proper aerodynamic design and using optimised blade profiles and inserts, you can reduce the noise in cooling tower fans where it is generated, without reducing the efficiency of the fan.

    Conclusion:

    Every good business stands on an efficient operation that includes keeping the overhead down. Being aware of any potential problems in cooling towers and knowing how to solve them is essential to the success and efficiency of your process.

    To ensure that the cooling towers work without any error, they have to be maintained regularly and operated with care. Even with the cooling tower water treatment, you need to take care of it in a proper manner. This will not only increase the lifespan of the equipment, but it will reduce expenses and also prevent any serious issues in your cooling system.

     
     

    Cooling Tower Water Filtration Systems

    How cooling tower water filtration systems can help your cooling system operate more efficiently

    December 5, 2020

    Evaporative cooling systems such as cooling towers use water for removing excess heat in a variety of buildings and facilities. Whether these cooling towers are used for an industrial facility or simple air conditioning in a hotel, a water filtration system can make a big difference in their operation.

    While it’s easy to overlook preventative measures and maintenance systems, a filtration system is your cooling tower’s first line of defence against many issues. Without filtration, the solid buildups, airborne dirt and pollen have the potential to foul and possibly halt the inner operation of any cooling tower water treatment. This type of scaling and fouling also gives room for bacteria such as Legionella to grow.

    A water filtration system removes suspended and settled solids, which can help improve energy efficiency and prevent health risks posed by waterborne bacteria. The use of a filtration system can also help in trouble-free operation and savings in maintenance costs. Yet, many cooling tower operators are still not using a filtration system as part of their regular water treatment program.

    While it’s understandable that the filtered water will be cleaner, how can this help in running your cooling system more efficiently? To answer your question, here are the main reasons why filtering cooling tower water treatment makes sense:

    1. Less blockage & downtime

    With a proper type of filtration system, particulate matter, biological growth and suspended solids will be removed from the cooling tower water. It will also decrease solid deposits in the cooling tower, as well as reduce blockages in heat exchangers, tubes, and other critical process equipment. This, in turn, can improve the operational efficiency of your cooling system with less unscheduled downtime.

    2. Extend equipment life

      Solid buildups of dirt particles, precipitates and biological deposits in cooling water may require higher cycles of cleaning and maintenance. Combined with scaling and fouling, this will end up damaging your cooling tower equipment. Thus, filtering suspended solids and microorganisms from your cooling tower water is a simple preventive step to extend the life of your equipment.

    3. Save water & chemicals

    Minerals in unfiltered water may increase blowdown in your cooling towers. This lost water then has to be replenished, which can amount to thousands of gallons. By filtering out those particles, an effective filtration system can help you reduce the blowdown and increase water savings. By preventing scaling and biofouling, it can also eliminate the dependence of water treatment chemicals, which are required to clean your cooling system.

    4. Reduce maintenance and energy costs

    With the installation of the right water filtration system, you can achieve significant savings in energy and maintenance costs. Less buildup in cooling towers means less time for cleaning. Cleaner water in cooling towers with fewer deposits requires less reactive maintenance overall. Furthermore, a well-maintained cooling tower will continue to function at the original optimum efficiency, thus reducing energy costs.

    5. Improve operating efficiency

    A cooling tower filled with dirty water can not work efficiently. All that buildup clogs tubes and coats heat transfer surfaces, forcing the cooling system to consume more energy. An effective filtration system not only minimizes those deposits but also increases the effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitor that is utilised.

    Conclusion

    A water filtration system is an integral part of a cooling tower water treatment program as they can greatly benefit the operation of a cooling tower. Proper filtration is also important for water savings in cooling towers. Hence, it is important to consider water filtration in your plans to keep your cooling system operating more efficiently.

     
     

    Chiller Automatic Tube Cleaning

    How to manage your chiller & automatic tube cleaning better?

    November 24, 2020

    We know that HVAC systems are often behind the largest energy costs of any building, often burning 30-50% or more of the building’s total energy consumption. On top of that, many chillers are consuming 30% more energy than necessary due to operational inefficiencies. That’s why chillers have become the most critical component to ensure any building’s efficiency. Not only do they consume the most energy, but they also have the biggest impact on the budget when things go wrong.

    Therefore, most of the HVAC industry has even taken some of the first steps to optimize the efficiency of your cooling system. Taking preventive measures like sealing the building envelope, utilizing a building energy management system, and frequent tube cleaning ensure smooth chiller operations. But when looking for energy-saving opportunities in an existing chiller or plant, you must have to look deeper than the chiller itself.

    Like other components of HVAC systems, chillers also operate more efficiently through proper ongoing maintenance. Many organizations have recognized this value and taken steps as part of their day-to-day facility management best practices. However, It’s more important to properly manage all these components while ensuring they work together throughout the year to achieve the greatest savings. So the question is, how to effectively manage Chillers, regular maintenance with automatic tube cleanings and energy efficiency all at the same time?

    As we know, fouling in condenser tubes is the main reason behind the loss in chiller efficiency. In fact, it’s not very uncommon that most of the chillers appear to be in working order but operate at elevated fouling factors due to fouling in tubes — causing compressor power consumption to increase by 15% or more. Chiller operators also recognize the impacts condenser tube fouling has on chiller efficiency, and a layer of buildup as thin as 0.6mm can reduce condenser efficiency by 20%.

    However, chiller maintenance has advanced significantly in recent times, due to new developments in centrifugal chillers and new automatic monitoring technologies. As a result of automatic cleaning and monitoring, the HVAC industry has been moving toward automated maintenance programs and away from pre-determined schedule maintenance.

    The simplest way to do this is to implement an Automatic Tube Cleaning Machine, which integrates the chiller and other major equipment in the plant and takes control of all operation. Automatic Tube Cleaning Machines work continuously to prevent scaling and fouling and the entire process is fully automated and controlled through a single programmable system or machine. These systems can also work with other solutions for monitoring and record functions to ensure the system is continuously operating optimally.

    Automatic tube cleaning machines like ACCS have become essential for chiller management because it directly affects chiller efficiency more than any other single factor. These tube cleaning machines are designed to regularly clean your chiller heat exchanger and condenser tubes in the course of its normal operation. This means no standstill and production loss as a result of scheduled cleaning interruptions. Therefore, these automatic tube cleaning machines reduce the frequency of service visits and labour costs, thus saving you money.

    Automatic Tube Cleaning System

    Why is condenser cleaning balls an integral part of chiller maintenance?

    November 17, 2020

    Condensers in chillers consist of many tubes for cooling and condensing the exhaust steam. Due to its heated surface, dissolved hardness in the cooling water ends up as scaling and fouling on the condenser tubes. These deposits reduce the ability of heat to transfer from the condenser tubes to the cooling water. As a result, the cooling system’s capacity decreases and reduces the chiller’s efficiency.

    Why is condenser tube cleaning important?

    Clean condenser tubes and effective heat transfer are essential for the condenser temperature, pressure, and overall efficiency of the cooling system. To ensure the optimum heat transfer through the condenser tubes, suitable measures and regular maintenance cycles must be added to minimize the extent of fouling. That’s why condenser tube cleaning is an essential part of keeping your chillers unit running as efficiently as possible.

    What are the best methods for condenser tube cleaning?

    Up until now, chemical-based water treatment was used to minimize these buildups and other scaling problems, but the difference was minimal. Even though the makeup water was softened and cycles of concentration (CoC) were kept low, deposits and blockages still accumulated in the condenser tubes. Additionally, there was always a concern over the use of hazardous treatment chemicals, and the plant still faced difficulties in treating some of the chemicals used and discharged in the blowdown.

    Most modern technology used today for round-the-clock cleaning of condenser tube cleaning is our Automatic Tube Cleaning System (ACCS). This automatic method of cleaning heat exchanger tubes occurs while the equipment remains in operation and full production. It also eliminates downtime while optimizing energy utilization of water-cooled heat exchangers, including chillers.

    What is an automatic tube cleaning machine?

    This is an automatic tube cleaning machine that infuses some slightly oversized elastomer balls periodically to the condenser tubes and keeps the tubes free of fouling 24×7. A ball collector is fitted at the water piping from the condenser to collect the balls for re-circulation in the system. With this ball trapping technology, there is absolutely no need for system shutdown for descaling and as a result, the chiller operates at top performance and efficiency.

    How does condenser cleaning balls work?

    Condenser cleaning balls technology in an automatic tube cleaning machine is the process started by injecting the balls from the ACCS ball collector to the mainline connected with a heat exchanger. ACCS balls travel along the mainline to reach the condenser’s main header. The balls are randomly distributed across the condenser tubes, automatically keeping heat exchanger tubes perpetually free from effects of scaling and particulate fouling.

    The system water pushes the ball through the tubes and these balls clean up any residual like scale, dirt, or biofilms attached to the tube before they have a chance to stick to the tube walls. Once the balls exit the condenser they are collected in the uniquely designed ball trap that does not allow balls to escape. The controller directs the collection valves to open and the balls are pushed back to the ball collector where they are rinsed well and wait for the next cycle to start.

    The entire cycle takes less than three minutes and cycles are programmed to take place automatically every 20 to 30 minutes. The process assures that fouling does not develop on the internal tubes allowing optimization of the heat transfer process, as a result, the heat exchanger operates at top performance, contributing to the prevention of unnecessary energy loss and low total-cost-of-use.

    Conclusion

    The growing environmental effects of global warming demand more green technologies to ensure the efficient operation of HVAC systems in the years ahead. This calls for the maintenance of condenser performance since condensers have an enormous impact on power generation efficiency and with our automatic tube cleaning machine, we can help you mitigate or reduce the negative impact and loss of production due to fouling and scaling.

     
     

    Cooling Towers and Water Treatment

    Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about cooling towers and water treatment

    October 29, 2020

    The primary job of the water cooling tower is to simply remove the excess heat and humidity from the building caused by machines. That’s why water cooling towers are essential to smoothly run any power plant, manufacturing units, or commercial buildings. And that’s not all. Water cooling towers are also used for ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and other industrial purposes due to their energy-efficiency and cost-effectiveness in operation.

    So if you’re looking to invest in a cooling tower or a cooling tower water treatment, you may have several questions about them? In this blog, we will discuss some of the frequently asked questions related to water cooling towers and treatment solutions.

    Q: What is a cooling tower?

    A cooling tower is a specialized heat exchanger, which extracts waste heat to the atmosphere through the cooling of a water stream to a lower temperature. When water comes in contact with air, it starts to reduce temperature; as a result, a small amount of water is evaporated, thereby removing the heat and humidity from the building.

    Q: Why are water cooling towers better?

    Evaporative heat rejection devices such as cooling towers are commonly used to provide significantly lower water temperatures than achievable with “air-cooled” or “dry” heat rejection devices. They achieve more cost-effective and energy-efficient operation of systems in need of cooling because the cooling potential of a wet surface is much better than a dry one.

    Q: Why should I get a water cooling tower?

    Factories, commercial buildings, and manufacturing units usually generate a tremendous amount of heat. That heat needs to be extracted so the building can be cooled down for operating efficiently. Therefore, the most cost-effective way of maintaining temperature in huge structures is by installing a cooling tower.

    Q: How many types of cooling towers are there?

    There are 3 types of water cooling towers:

    • Cross Flow Cooling Tower
    • Rectangular/Square Cooling Tower
    • Round/Bottle Cooling Tower

     

    Q: How to select the most suitable tower type for your building?

    Each tower type is suitable for various buildings and operations. In the crossflow water cooling tower, air flows via the fills in the horizontal direction, and water flows down in the vertical direction. They also have splash type fillings that hold the higher suspended particles, perfect for chemical plants, big factories and processing/manufacturing plants.

    Square/rectangular water cooling towers operate according to the counterflow principle. In a rectangular cooling tower, an induced draught fan is attached to the motor which pulls in air to draft it upwards leading to faster cooling of the air thus less pressure and circulation required for cooling. These types of cooling towers are perfect for light to medium industrials, pharmaceutical plants and commercial hubs.

    In round water cooling towers, the airflow inside the cooling tower is uniformly distributed. The Bottle or Round cooling tower stands apart from the rest because of compact design and varying flute sizes to offer maximum heat transfer. Round water cooling towers are best suited for malls, office complexes and hospitals.

    Q: How do I get my water cooling towers to run more efficiently?

    Lubricating fan shaft bearings every three months and regular cleaning of the towers are required to maintain the proper functioning of the cooling system. A well-maintained and properly cleaned water cooling tower will work with original optimum efficiency, keeping energy costs low and water savings high.

    Q: Why should I use SBR non-chemical water treatment for cooling towers?

    The innovative SBR deploys an electrolysis reaction that breaks down and controls the elements that pollute water quality. It also enables the ongoing flow of clean quality water, using relatively little water resource and all in an eco-friendly manner. This program can reduce monthly wastewater bills for the amount of evaporated water from cooling towers that are not returned to the wastewater system.

    SBR technology is a fully automatic online system that offers a myriad of benefits such as:

    • The operating efficiency of your water cooling tower remains optimal.
    • The cooling tower continues to operate as a new system.
    • The cooling tower holds its cooling capacity.
    • Save more than 50% of blowdown water.
    • Allows the operation of the cooling towers at optimum 4500-5000 ?s conductivity.
    • Zero chemicals mean no maintenance, storage, and discharge of chemicals.

     

     
     

    Cooling Towers

    How to save more water in cooling towers?

    October 26, 2020

    Evaporative cooling towers (water cooling towers) are the best equipment to remove process heat from a structure with the lowest power. The purpose of a water cooling tower is to dissipate heat from recirculating water used to cool air conditioners. It evaporates some percentage of circulation water to cool the water temperature which is the reason why these cooling systems use a lot of water.

    The entire evaporative process results in extreme water loss and raised costs. Earlier, we had plenty of water resources and got clean water to run the cooling towers. But, now water is the most precious resource on Earth and to keep that resource from depleting is the biggest challenge. This reality is forcing us to think of an alternative cooling system and to have efficient water management in water cooling towers.

    However, with the proper management of the recirculated water like SBR water treatment, you can improve the efficiency of the water cooling towers. There are several measures that the HVAC industry can take to lower the water consumption and hence increase the efficiency of industrial cooling towers. Here are five measures to maximize cooling tower efficiency and lower water consumption.

    Maximize the CoC:

    The cycle of concentration or CoC is the number of times a tower recycles water before it gets dumped which is also known as water blowdown. The quality of the water and the type of water treatment usually determines the actual number of cycles a water cooling tower system can handle. However, a cycle of concentration of three is generally considered minimum efficiency.

    You can take some significant steps such as minimize chemical use to treat the water in cooling towers. It reduces the potential for corrosion, scaling and biological growth, which allows the towers to operate safely at higher concentration ratios. Using SBR water treatment, for instance, reduces cooling tower make-up water by 20% and cooling tower blowdown by 50% with higher cycles of concentration.

    Reduce blowdown by automatic monitoring systems:

    To minimize scaling and biofouling, some cooling tower operators may increase blowdown water, which in retrospect, ends up causing water loss. It can also increase the possibility of corrosion due to the lower pH levels.

    Automatic systems such as SBR water treatment determine the right amount of blowdown water automatically. By carefully monitoring, establishing, and adhering to set points, it can help reduce water waste and sewage, another potentially significant cost savings.

    Monitor water levels in cooling towers:

    Ballcock-style fill valves that are prone to leakage and frequently get out of adjustment. An additional source of water loss is possible when the fill level is set too high. You can replace the ballcock-style fill valves with more reliable fill valves. You should regularly check the water level to ensure that it is adequately below the overflow outlet to avoid excessive water use.

    Use flow meters on make-up and blowdown pipes:

    Flow meters are used to check the ratio of makeup flow to blowdown flow. You can install the flow meters on both lines and compare it with the ratio of conductivity of blowdown water and the makeup water. The ratios should match the target cycles of concentration. If that’s not the case, check the cooling tower for leaks or other unauthorized draw-off.

    When the system does not function at your target cycles of concentration, check system components along with conductivity controller, makeup water fill valve, and blowdown valve. Keep tracking makeup and blowdown quantities, conductivity, and cycles of concentration to see any performance degradation if it occurred.

    Select the right cooling tower water treatment:

    To save water, it is vital to select a cooling tower water treatment that cleans the water efficiently and sustainably. A water treatment system selection should be based on the cost to treat make-up water and maintaining a cooling tower to the highest recommended system water cycle of concentration.

    At CET-enviro, we offer SBR water treatment, which is a fully automatic online technology that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance, and treats cooling water without any chemicals. It uses a green technology that saves water without any unexpected chemical feeds or discharge from the cooling towers.

    SBR water treatment enables the ongoing flow of clean quality water, using relatively little water resource and all in an eco-friendly manner. It also decreases the water usage by recycling and reusing it for irrigation while preventing scaling or corrosion build-up in the system, thus cutting down blowdown by 50% and water wastage by 40% – 50%.

     
     

    Energy Efficiency In Cooling Towers

    Reasons to Consider Sustainable Water Treatment for Cooling Towers

    October 15, 2020

    The purpose of cooling towers is to remove heat from the building. However, the most common application of a cooling tower is inside an HVAC system for industrial and commercial buildings. In cooling towers, cooling is achieved through evaporation which leads to leftover water to be concentrated.

    Normal water used in industrial cooling towers contains many suspended and dissolved particles like bacteria, debris, minerals, and other impurities. These impurities are known to develop scale in the cooling system that is why every cooling tower should have a water treatment plan.

    The build-up of scale leads to subpar cooling efficiency of the system, increased power consumption, and lower lifespan of the motor plant. These drawbacks make the offline methods of cleaning expensive, cumbersome and inefficient and further provide environmental challenges.

    Water treatment does not only increase the efficiency of the cooling tower, but it saves water by making a significant proportion of industrial water reusable. Without water treatment, the performance of the cooling tower can be affected significantly. The cooling tower water treatment will not only reduce the electricity cost significantly, but it will also increase the life of the system.

    There are different types of water treatment methods in practice, such as R.O., softener, deionizer, etc.

    However, the use of these costly products to treat water or disinfect cooling towers often requires continuous monitoring by staff members as well as them having to maintain these products regularly.

    More and more, operators are looking for a more sustainable approach to treat cooling water. Here are some of the main reasons to consider sustainable water treatment for your cooling towers.

     

    • Reducing the costly recurring need for harmful chemicals and biocides.
    • Eliminate the dangerous handling of these biocides.
    • Reducing water consumption and blowdown in the cooling tower.
    • Improving thermal efficiency in the chillers.
    • A complete water management solution to automatically handle water treatment for the cooling tower.

     

    Many cooling tower users have opted for non-chemical water treatment for the best result. Non-chemical water treatment subdues the scale built up in the cooling tower, pipeline, and heat exchange without using any harmful chemicals. The device works with the combination of adsorption, turbulence and galvanic action.

    Other water treatments require several activities and costly chemicals, which lower water quality and raise costs. A breakthrough in the cooling tower water management, SBR from CET ENVIRO is a complete package that offers a myriad of benefits and comes with expert on-site service guarantee 24×7. It is a sustainable and eco-friendly solution to automatically treat cooling water without chemicals.

    SBR is a fully automatic online technology that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance and treats cooling water without any chemicals. The innovative SBR deploys an electrolysis reaction that breaks down and controls the elements that pollute water quality.

    As a fully automatic online technology, SBR continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance and treats cooling water without any chemicals. It also enables the ongoing flow of clean quality water, using relatively little water resource and all in an environmentally-friendly manner.

    Such technologies can help to achieve your sustainability goals in cooling towers.

    Energy Efficiency In Cooling Towers

    Improving The Energy Efficiency in Cooling Towers

    September 25, 2020

    The efficiency of the cooling system has a major impact on production in every sector. There is a direct link between the cold water temperature and process efficiency. Only a degree of increase in cooling water temperature can cause a 3% increase in energy usage. But before getting into the importance of energy efficiency in cooling towers, one must properly understand what exactly a water cooling tower is, its function, and the key components involved in its functioning.

    The primary task of a water cooling tower is to reject heat into the atmosphere in buildings and large-scale industries to aid cooling systems. They represent a relatively inexpensive and dependable means of removing low-grade heat from cooling water.

    Cooling towers help in maintaining temperature for air-conditioning, manufacturing processes, or power generation by utilizing the evaporation of water to transfer heat. Therefore, water cooling towers consume significant amounts of water and the cooling system is often a building’s largest energy consumer.

    In general, for water cooling towers, tap water, underground water and river water are the three sources of water used in the cooling process. The make-up water source is used to replenish water lost to evaporation.

    In a recirculating cooling system, the concentration of mineral ions in water continuously increases due to water evaporation. For every CoC decrease in temperature across the tower, approximately 1% of the circulation water will be evaporated, thus increasing the dissolved solids content of water in the system. The equation for the water balance in a water cooling tower is below.

    Makeup = Evaporation + Blowdown + Drift

    Makeup: To maintain the cooling system in proper working order, all water leaving the system must be replaced. This incoming water is referred to as makeup.

    Evaporation: Water that evaporates in the cooling tower and is rejected to the atmosphere as vapour. Evaporation provides the necessary cooling for the system.

    Blowdown: When water evaporates from the system, the dissolved solids and minerals are left behind. Blowdown is water that is purposefully drained from the system to remove dissolved or suspended solids and prevent scale and corrosion problems in the cooling system.

    Drift: A very small amount of water will escape the water cooling tower as mist or water droplets in the air, and is referred to as drift. Compared to evaporation or blowdown, water loss due to drift is insignificant but can be a factor at the highest levels of water conservation efforts.

    These factors are the most neglected regimens of cooling systems operation with water cooling towers generally the most neglected component in the mechanical system. That’s why sustainable water treatment is the most important factor in the life and energy-efficient operation of evaporative cooling equipment.

    Accumulation of foulants on the tower will inhibit the cooling efficiency of the tower and can reduce the energy efficiency of the overall cooling system by 5% or more. Therefore, water cooling towers should be periodically cleaned to ensure the tower fill media and heat transfer surfaces are free from scale, biological growth, corrosion, and particulate deposits.

    There must be regular inspection of the tower on your maintenance log, and if your water treatment is unable to effectively control these issues, consider alternative treatment options that can do these functions automatically like SBR.

    SBR is a fully automatic and green technology that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance without the use of chemicals. The energy-saving, chemical-free, low maintenance system combats scaling and corrosion using electrolysis.

    This process provides a clean, eco-friendly alternative for keeping systems free from harmful fouling. The new generation system delivers an affordable, reliable, and safe alternative to chemical usage when you’re looking to improve the water and energy efficiency in water cooling towers.

     
     

    Cooling Tower with SBR Technology

    Prevent Three Major Problems in Cooling Tower with SBR Technology

    September 17, 2020

    Heat exchanger and cooling tower fouling is a serious problem and can have a major impact on the performance of the systems if left unchecked. That’s why cooling tower systems require a robust system like SBR technology which can keep a close eye on performance in order to maintain cost and efficiency across the life cycle of the equipment.

    WHAT IS COOLING TOWER FOULING?

    Fouling is the clogging of any surfaces or pipes with debris, dirt, and dust. Fouling is defined as a scale deposit layer such as the formation of calcium carbonate on heat transfer surfaces and occurs more rapidly when the concentrated water is circulated in the cooling towers and heat exchangers.

    The economic loss due to the fouling is one of the biggest problems in all industries dealing with heat-transfer equipment. Besides, as the fouling deposited on the heat transfer surfaces reduces the cross-sectional areas of the flow passages, the flow rate of the coolant decreases, and the pressure loss of the system increases.

    Impact of Cooling Tower Fouling

    In cooling towers, fouling can generally be defined as a buildup of material or deposits on the heat exchange surfaces that can degrade heat exchange performance. When water cannot make it into and pass through the fill as designed, the air is not cooled properly. This means that the system must work longer to achieve the same results. Which means it is using more electricity.

    Consider that for each degree that condenser supply temperature is above design specifications, chiller efficiency is reduced by two percent. This, in turn, promotes the deposit and growth which may corrode both tower fill and the tower itself, eventually requiring costly and time-consuming replacement.

    Types of Fouling

    Fouling can occur in different areas of your cooling tower system. There are several types of fouling that are commonly occurring in cooling towers. Here are some of the common one:

    Precipitation Fouling or Scaling – These may typically be mineral-based scales that form due to exceeding the saturation point of the scaling species. The most common forms of scale are usually from calcium-based salts such as calcium sulfate or calcium carbonate. This phenomenon is strictly temperature related and is difficult to be removed by hydro-blasting or typical scrubbing. The compound created from this reaction of the free ions is called scale and the action itself is called scaling

    Microbiological Fouling or Biofouling – Microbiological fouling that may occur from poor or inadequate biocide feed and control. Cooling towers by nature are places that are hot and humid. Along with the common and plentiful nutrients that most water sources contain it is an ideal place for the growth of unwanted biological growth, such as bacteria. Even very thin layers can reduce the thermal efficiency dramatically.

    Particulate Fouling or Deposition (including corrosion products) – Suspended solids such as dirt or corrosion products that settle out in the cooling system. The chief causes of corrosion of metals by water are dissolved oxygen and dissolved carbon dioxide. The latter lowers the pH, permitting general acid attack but even if the water is alkaline the metal of the system can be affected by oxygen corrosion.

    In addition to the reduction in water flow and heat transfer also damages the equipment and corrosion reduces the effectiveness of the work. This can lead to expensive repairs or even replacement of equipment.

    SBR Technology: Combating three major ailments of Cooling Tower

    Other water treatments require several separate activities and costly chemicals, which lower water quality and raise costs. SBR technology is a multi-purpose solution performs one sophisticated integrated process that is clean, inexpensive and environmentally friendly. Major Problems in cooling towers explained above are biological growth, scaling due to TDS and corrosiveness due to PH of water and under deposit corrosion in the system. These three problems are avoided by SBR in the following manner: –

    Anti-Scaling: – Due to electrolysis (Cathode and Anode Reaction) all the TDS (Salts like Calcium, magnesium, Iron) are attracted to the Cathode(-) and are stuck and precipitated to the smooth surface of the Cathode Drum. As the water becomes soft the salts are dissolved and the capability of the water to dissolve the salts increases and some precipitation takes place in the drum which is automatically removed.

    Anti-Corrosive:– Since the Chemicals are not added into the system there is no chance of the corrosion to take place as due to electrolysis the water becomes soft and tries to accommodate all the salts in itself and also removes the existing salts deposited in the system. So, the chances of under deposit corrosion due to scale is also avoided.

    Biological Growth: – Due to anodic(+) reaction Free chlorine, Hydrogen Peroxide, Carbon Dioxide, Ozone, Oxygen is evolved which kills bacterial growth and also kills the algae in the cooling tower. Since the free chlorine is available in the water it will stop the algae growth in the cooling tower.

    As a fully automatic online system, SBR technology continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance, and treats cooling water without any chemicals. Solutions like SBR are ideally poised to help: In three simple steps, plants can clear fouling and restore system performance.

     
     

    Energy Monitoring System

    Energy Monitoring System (EMOS): An intelligent Approach to Stop Chillers from Driving Up Your Utility Bill

    September 2, 2020

     

    HVAC and cooling systems consume between a quarter and a third of total electricity consumption in an average commercial building. Furthermore, chillers are responsible for over 40% of that consumption, forming up between 10-12% of a building’s total electricity usage and presenting an opportunity for cost savings. So why do HVAC chillers rarely use an energy monitoring system for efficiency?

    The problem lays in the HVAC industry approach towards the chiller efficiency and various misconceptions surrounding the topic. Most of the existing methods for HVAC systems are targeted at reducing cooling supply during on-peak periods. However, according to the study based on the real operation data in a high-rise building, peak demand for chillers occurs mostly during the period when a chiller is starting.

    Such peak demand may be caused by the increase in cooling load, or the sudden starting of a constant speed chiller, or both. Most chillers, even new ones, are not operating near their rated design performance. Facility managers often may start the system with few chillers at full capacity, turning the rest of them on as demand increases. But in reality, chillers are most efficient when running at between 30% and 50% of the loading mark.

    Therefore, a direct chiller power limiting control strategy is very necessary to reduce the peak demand that occurs during the short periods of chiller start. By using load shedding tactics, regular CIP methods, energy monitoring systems, sequencing multiple chillers, and gradually ramping up their usage when needed, facility managers will avoid power spikes and the hefty utility bills that come with them.

    So how can we exactly know the exact amount of electricity your chiller is consuming? The easiest and most accurate method is by installing an energy monitoring system to measure both instantaneous kW or kWh over time. These systems can also monitor the quality of power being drawn, how resistive or reactive a particular unit is, and can monitor for harmonic distortion which can dictate a system’s efficiency.

    CET-Enviro offers the most modern technology available today for round-the-clock power monitoring of chiller consumption. Our Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) is the most advanced and reliable system that automatically collects & analyzes data collected from the several sensors such as Flow-meters, Temperature sensors, kWh meter and then records it to the cloud storage.

    The information collected at the server can be used to manage energy and operating costs on a routine basis. It continuously collects, analyzes and reports on chiller operating data through the internet facility integrated into an open system, which is essential to getting more visible data of the current electricity consumption and setting the benchmarks for expected system efficiency.

    Energy Monitoring System can be integrated into existing building automation systems (BAS) and allow your chillers to work in conjunction with other parts of the system like cooling towers, VAVs, and air handling units. Doing so will allow your chillers to not only be set at the right operating power, but handle air that is optimized for temperature, humidity, and pressure. Even small changes in these parameters can noticeably improve overall chiller performance, saving up to 15% in energy consumption.

    Energy Management System

    A New Era of Energy-Saving Potential in Chillers with EMOS

    September 1, 2020

    Chillers are an integral part of the HVAC system used in many industries and institutions. They work as a specialized heat exchange chamber in which air and water are brought in contact to reduce water’s temperature. During the process, a small volume of water is evaporated, reducing the temperature of the water as it is being circulated.

    The heat transfer in the condenser tubes often leads to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency of the chiller system which can go unnoticed without the right equipment. Therefore, regular treatment of this cooling tower water is necessary to ensure an efficient process and long equipment life. However, this whole process can consume a lot of energy which is a matter of concern for the industries and environment as well.

    Chillers are the single largest individual user of electricity in commercial and institutional HVAC facilities. To tackle this problem of energy consumption, EMOS is the perfect solution. Cet-Enviro’s range of HVAC solutions has introduced a reliable Energy Monitoring System that solves all this problem.

    Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) is the next-generation power-saving system that automatically records the specific power consumption of chillers 24*7. It saves up to 15% energy used in a chiller system as it collects the information automatically and manages energy without any manual labor.

    How does it work?

    Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) is installed in each chiller with highly efficient flow –meters which specializes to measure instant flow. Further, Temperature Sensors (PT100) are installed in both inlet and outlet of Evaporators and Condensers. Instant data values are collected from the Flowmeters and temperature sensors which are sent to the Control Panel through communication cables.

    Also, a kWh meter is installed to measure the instant electrical power consumption of each chiller and values are recorded in the control panel. The data is then collected from flow meters, temperature sensors and kWh meters in a specially designed control panel to calculate the specific power consumption of chillers in ikW/TR. The values are automatically retrieved and can be seen in real-time. Further, daily/monthly trend analysis and report analysis on the cloud-based server.

    Features and Advantages

    EMOS is a revolutionary product which is specially designed to record relevant information at a server which can be used to manage energy and operating cost daily to analyze the performance of the chillers. The readings obtained from flow meters, temperature sensors and kWh meters can be seen in real-time while simultaneously being saved into a cloud-based server, making it easier to obtain through multiple user accounts via an internet facility integrated into the EMOS system.

    The whole ecosystem is built to deliver automated email alerts in case of a malfunction. Its multiple user access makes it easy to operate for consumers. Further, the dashboards are made in such a way that it is easy to understand and operate for individuals with minimum skilled resources.

    EMOS is deliberately designed in such a way that it is compatible with any building HVAC system. As per the industry claims, integration of an EMOS with the above-mentioned controls can produce energy savings, varying from 10% to 40% on a case-to-case basis, while increasing the life cycle of chiller systems.

    Save Energy

    Energy Management System in Cooling Towers & Chillers

    August 31, 2020

     

    When looking for a new energy management system in an HVAC industry, one has to look deeper than the system itself. HVAC units can be complicated to operate, especially when they are coupled to each other and connected to one or more cooling towers.

    The energy consumptions are closely linked to the efficiency of their subsystems like compressor, pumps, exchangers, evaporators, etc. These subsystems are also heavily dependent on other equipment such as cooling towers, distributor pumps and chillers, which in turn has a nominal efficiency and an optimum efficiency.

    The chiller may have the largest load of any component, it may not be the largest contributor to total annual energy consumption. Therefore, it’s more important to ensure that all the components work together throughout the year for improving your system’s energy performance to achieve the greatest savings.

    There are various equipment and low- or no-cost operational changes that can be investigated to greatly reduce the energy use of an existing system, without risk to proper plant operation or occupant comfort. Let’s review some of those options to achieve maximum savings.

    Install systems to measure the overall Coefficient of Performance:

    Before you do anything, the first and foremost step towards energy saving is to monitor the consumption in chiller units and cooling towers. This will help you establish the COP for each unit and tower by measuring the flow rate, the inlet and outlet temperature and the electricity consumption. More importantly, it can help you to construct an overall COP that includes the distributor pumps, the auxiliary pumps, and the consumption of the cooling towers, and factors in the climatic conditions.

    Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) from CET-Enviro is the most effective and reliable solution for energy management system that automatically records specific power consumption of chillers in the most accurate way 24×7. It continuously collects, analyzes, and reports on chiller operating data through the internet facility integrated into the system and connected to a cloud-based server. Ideally, you would be able to compile a data history for an entire year to cover all of the seasons and as many production conditions as possible.

    This critical information collected at the server can be used to manage energy and operating costs on a routine basis and this significantly helps in improving the performance potential of the chiller that saves up to 15% in chiller energy consumption.

    Invest in a new refrigeration technology:

    The latest HVAC units are particularly efficient, thus achieving a COP of at least 7 or 8. These refrigeration units are highly modular and do not become less efficient, because they contain several small compressors that start-up in a staggered sequence. They are, however, very expensive and not very easy to maintain. If your budget doesn’t stretch that far, similar improvements in energy consumption can be achieved by adding variable power control units such as EMOS to your existing energy management system.

    Ignore peak load for chiller efficiency:

      Many engineers and facility managers compare chiller efficiency based on a single number — peak load kW/ton. However, the typical chiller plant in a commercial building will never operate at these peak conditions. For office buildings, it would be better to ignore the peak kW/ton and instead compare the IPLV (integrated part-load value) or NPLV (non-standard part-load value) ratings.

      Even though each building’s load profile is unique, these numbers are meant to be a better metric for comparison since they attempt to simulate a more typical load and operational profile for an office building in a moderate climate. These small differentials can help you achieve huge energy savings in the long run.

    Take advantage of cool outdoor temperatures:

      Most chillers can benefit from condenser water temperature reduction during cooler weather. A chiller and cooling towers are needed for the very few very hot and humid hours of the year. For the rest of the year, the towers can easily and efficiently provide cooler water.

      When the climatic conditions allow, adding passive outside-air heat exchangers can reduce the need for cooling towers and the associated consumptions. However, these savings may depend on climate, load profile, and equipment sizing, so analysis must be present to determine the proper control strategy.

      As we have cleared, there are a variety of solutions for optimizing your energy management system. However, the most crucial solution might be the Energy Information System. So the more your Energy Monitoring System is well-documented, the more effective these solutions will be.

     
     

    Green Solutions from CET Enviro

    Increase the Efficiency of Your Cooling System with a Complete Combo of Green Solutions from CET-Enviro

    August 27, 2020

    It is well known that the HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) system accounts for the maximum energy consumption in most of the commercial buildings. Hence, there is a great potential to maximize savings by incorporating energy efficiency and water saving measures in the HVAC systems.

    In malls, HVAC systems become even more important as the cooling (temperature and relative humidity setpoints) and ventilation (fresh air change rates) requirements are more stringent as compared to other commercial buildings. So it’s not surprising that they are looking to make their industrial cooling systems more advanced, eco-friendly and cost-effective.

    HVAC energy efficiency starts with the goal of getting the most out of what you have without spending too much. Since HVAC systems represent a significant portion of typical energy costs (experts say as much as 50 to 60%), these measures can make a big difference, not only for the sake of the environment but to be able to cut down on costs. Additionally, more efficiency means more money that your company will be saving.

    Get the right system & maintenance in Place

    Industrial cooling systems require a good filtration and cleaning system to be energy efficient. Different factors will make an HVAC system more energy-efficient. From the type of system, you have to how it is maintained can all affect energy efficiency. Because of this, even small changes to an existing system can help make it more energy-efficient.

    So if you plan on saving in the same system for a long time, you may want to consider installing a whole new energy efficient system with some energy-efficient equipment. These systems allow regular cleaning and maintenance to be automated while taking some of the workloads off of the HVAC system itself.

    CET-Enviro offers several integrated solutions that provide the maximum energy-efficiency requirements for whatever building you’re trying to cool. Not only should you be complying with the regulations, but it can help you run a more efficient cooling tower if that’s ever a concern to you.

    1. Set a benchmark with EMOS

    Energy Monitoring System (EMOS) is the most effective and reliable system that automatically collects & analyzes data collected from the several sensors such as Flow-meters, Temperature sensors, kWh meter, and then records it to the cloud storage.

    It continuously collects, analyzes and reports on chiller operating data through the internet facility integrated into an open system, which is essential to getting more visible data of the current electricity consumption and setting the benchmarks for expected system efficiency.

    The information collected at the server can be used to manage energy and operating costs on a routine basis and this significantly helps in improving the performance potential of the chiller that saves at least 20% to 40% in energy consumption.

    2. Start descaling of chillers with ACCS

      CET-Enviro offers the most modern technology available today for round-the-clock cleaning of Chiller tubes. ACCS (Automatic Tube Cleaning System) is an automatic method of cleaning heat exchanger tubes while the equipment remains operational. There is absolutely no need for system shutdown for descaling and as a result, Chiller operates at top performance and efficiency.

      This is an online method that infuses some slightly oversized elastomer balls periodically to the Condenser tubes and keeps the tubes free of fouling 24×7. A strainer or ball collector is installed at the water piping exiting the condenser that collects the balls for re-circulation in the system.

      Automatic Condenser Cleaning System provides a huge difference in approach temperature before and after descaling, which shows the need and potential of the ACCS system in maintaining Chiller Efficiency. By keeping tubes free of corrosion & scaling, it improves heat transfer efficiency and reduces energy consumption, saving up to 30% in energy consumption.

    3. Invest in non-chemical water treatment for cooling towers with SBR

      Cooling system water quality directly affects the reliability and efficiency of industrial or institutional cooling systems. CET-Enviro provides a sustainable and eco-friendly system that augments the cooling tower performance and continuously cleans cooling water without any chemicals. It gets rid of cooling Tower water treatment problems like biofouling, scaling, and corrosion and increases the efficiency of the cooling system.

      SBR is a green technology that saves water without any unexpected chemical feeds or discharge from the cooling towers. It also decreases water usage by recycling and reusing it for irrigation while preventing scaling or corrosion build-up in the system, thus cutting down the energy cost by 10% – 15% and water wastage by 20% – 40%.

      These days there is an emphasis on energy efficiency in every aspect of life. Having the most energy-efficient HVAC system is one of the best things you can do for your business. With our proven combo of green solutions for HVAC systems, you do not have to invest in a whole new system to increase energy efficiency. Just add these 3 solutions for some money-saving adjustments that can make a huge difference in your utility bills and overall HVAC energy consumption.

     
     

    Maintaining Heat Exchanger and Condenser

    A Complete Guide for Maintaining Your Heat Exchanger/Condenser

    August 26, 2020

    In this article, we’re highlighting the maintenance system of heat exchangers used in HVAC and building services applications for both residential as well as commercial properties. We’ll also look at how these types of equipment are applied to system components while going through the working principle of common HVAC heat exchangers.

    What is condenser/heat exchanger

    A heat exchanger does exactly what its name suggests: exchanges heat. In the context of a chiller, a heat exchanger is a series of tubes or coils that run through the HVAC system. Different models feature different shapes and sizes of tubes based on fuel type but they all perform the same task—the tubes heat up and, in doing so, exchange and transfer the heat to the air. Heat exchangers are either given a hot fluid to provide heating or a cold fluid to provide cooling.

    How it works

    The way a heat exchanger works is rather simple. Heat exchangers are designed to optimize the temperature as per system needs. Coil heat exchangers in their simplest form use one or more tubes which run back and forth several times. When water flows inside the chiller tubes, heat is transferred from the tube wall via convection, it then conducts through the pipe wall to the other side, thus exchanging the heat from the system.

    Why the need for maintenance?

    Fouling in heat Exchangers is an undesirable piled deposit formed inside a condenser, sometimes described as a thermal resistance on the heat path in the condenser. Degraded heat exchanger performance from fouling or ageing results in extra operating and energy costs to compensate for gaps in the target temperature.

    Product or chemical deposits on heat-transfer surfaces weaken an exchanger’s heat-transfer capacity and must be cleaned away regularly to maintain high performance and prevent disruption of processing. Heat exchanger fouling, or the unwanted accumulation of deposits on heat-transfer surfaces, can result in huge loss.

    The maintenance of heat exchangers is therefore important to keep systems running efficiently. Regular maintenance ensures equipment is in working condition and helps prevent emergency repairs. The cost of cleaning a heat exchanger is small compared to the cost of lost production should a heat exchanger require an unscheduled shutdown.

    Why Cleaning-In-Place (CIP)

    The most common condenser cleaning method is scrubbing propelled through the heat exchanger tubes to remove deposits however this method required shutdown and loss of production hours. However, a proper Cleaning-In-Place (CIP) equipment can automatically clean heat exchangers without the need for a manual shutdown. CIP cleaning of heat exchangers typically includes several goals:

     

    • Cleaning lime deposits
    • Passivating surfaces to reduce susceptibility to corrosion
    • Neutralizing cleaning chemicals before draining.

     

    How ACCS helps in the maintenance

    Most modern technology used today for round-the-clock cleaning of Chiller tubes is Automatic Tube Cleaning System or ACCS. This automatic method of cleaning heat exchanger tubes occurs while the equipment remains in operation and full production.

    ACCS is a remarkably simple system in which recycled cleansing balls are flushed through the cooling system via a natural water flow, ensuring that unwanted deposits and residue are cleaned before fouling occurs. A strainer or ball collector is installed at the water piping exiting the condenser that collects the balls for re-circulation in the system.

    This system can be controlled online while infusing some slightly oversized elastomer balls periodically to the Condenser tubes and keeps the tubes free of fouling 24×7. There is absolutely no need for system shutdown for descaling and as a result, hence chiller operates at top performance and efficiency.

    With the installation of ACCS, the internal surface of the cooling tubes are guaranteed to remain clean, resulting in improved heat transfer and reduced energy consumption. The ACCS is fully automatic and works continuously while the heat exchanger is operational, eliminating the need for inconvenient shutdowns or costly maintenance.

    Benefits Of ACCS

    To ensure optimum performance from the system, heat exchangers must work with 100% efficiency. For this to happen we must use an automated solution that reduces maintenance cost and increases efficiency. ACCS fulfils these criteria with ease while providing some benefits too:

     

    • Eco-friendly (Save energy up to 30%)
    • Optimize heat transfer
    • Eliminates downtime
    • Extends equipment life
    • Zero Ball loss

     

     
     

    Automatic Condenser Cleaning System

    ACCS & SBR: One Stop Solution for All Your Cooling Needs

    August 12, 2020

    An HVAC system is a basic essential in every sector, be it manufacturing or hospitality. However, cooling towers and chillers are vital to the performance of these commercial or industrial air conditioning systems!

    An HVAC system consists of various equipment such as chillers and cooling towers. A water-cooled chiller is set within the interior of a building, containing the evaporator and also the condenser. The cooling tower acts as an oversized heat-exchanging device that sits on the roof of the building.

    In chillers, water is pumped towards the cooling tower through pipes which are sprayed onto the fill media. The cold water is pumped back to the condenser where it absorbs heat and the process is repeated. And when these 2 things work along, it becomes attainable to condition air in massive open areas, like industrial buildings and factories.

    Challenges with Chillers & Cooling Towers

    The cooling towers need regular maintenance and if left untreated it causes organic growth, fouling, scaling, and corrosion which reduces productivity causes plant downtime and requires costly equipment replacements.

    Scale Deposits:

    Cooling tower works by evaporation which results in periodic buildups of scale deposits on the fill. Minerals in the water can create these deposits, especially if there’s not a water treatment solution in place. These scale buildup decreases the efficiency and performance of your HVAC system and can lead to premature deterioration of your unit.

    Tubes Corrosion:

    Contaminants like slime, algae, and scale can build up within the condenser tubes and cause a partial or total clog which can lead to unit inefficiencies and breakdowns. Every HVAC unit experiences buildup of some kind, however clearing the chiller tubes regularly will prevent total blockages and make debris removal easier.

    Water Problems:

    Maintenance is about more than just keeping HVAC system components like chillers and cooling towers in adequate shape. Water quality also plays an important role in determining the efficiency of the system. Untreated water can lead to major scum and scale buildup, contributing to the breakdown of your system.

    Chiller & Cooling Tower Maintenance:

    Chillers and cooling towers are crucial for a safe, reliable and efficient HVAC system. Failure to inspect, maintain and repair and/or replace every part of the system can have serious consequences for your business.

    Properly maintained cooling towers and chillers keep condenser temperatures lower than un-maintained systems. This results in better energy efficiency, lower utility bill costs, and a more comfortable facility. That’s why a comprehensive maintenance plan is not only a smart business investment for your facility and employees, but it’s a requirement.

    Introducing SBR & ACCS to Increase your System Efficiency:

    SBR (Scale and Bio-Removal system) is a Non-Chemical treatment of cooling tower water. Specially designed by CET ENVIRO, it reduces corrosion, prevents blowdown and discharges, thus reducing your environmental footprint and increasing the efficiency of the system.

    ACCS or Automatic Condenser Cleaning System is an automatic cleaning system for chillers that deals with basic problems that occur in tubes such as rusting, fouling, bioaccumulation in shells and tubes. To overcome these problems, CET-Enviro has equipped ACCS with specially designed ball traps that clean the tubes more efficiently.

    Combo features of ACCS & SBR:

    Green Technology:

    SBR is a sustainable and eco friendly technology that treats cooling water without any chemicals. ACCS, on the other hand, is a fully automatic tube cleaning system that yields optimum efficiency of the chillers and great energy savings while reducing the carbon footprint.

    Low maintenance and higher savings:

    SBR and ACCS both are built to reduce the high operational and maintenance cost of cooling towers and chillers. SBR decreases dependability on chemicals to 100%, decreases water usage to 20-40%, lowers energy costs by 15%, lowers the labour costs up to 50%. Similarly, ACCS prevents heat exchanger tubes from accumulating mud, scale, or biological fouling which optimizes heat transfer and saves energy up to 30%.

    No fouling and corrosion problems:

    Corrosion, bioaccumulation and fouling are some of the major problems that arise in chillers and cooling towers. Over a period of time, it can lead to reduced efficiency, manual shutdown which can be avoided with the installation of ACCS & SBR. These solutions can operate 24*7 without any oversight which further decreases the maintenance cost of the system.

    Better performance from the system

    For the proper functioning of a cooling tower, the entire component must work in unity with 100% efficiency. For this to happen we must use an automated solution which reduces manual maintenance from time to time.

    Since cooling towers are one of the major components of HVAC systems, it is almost essential that it should be cleaned properly from time to time. SBR prevents problems like Biofouling, scaling, and corrosion that reduces the efficiency of your cooling system.

    Further, ACCS runs automatically and continuously cleans the tubes by specially designed ACCS balls which prevent corrosion regularly. Hence, the elimination of corrosion and fouling results in an extended life cycle of the equipment.

    Hassle-free maintenance of cooling towers and chillers with ACCS and SBR combo

    Today every industrial sector requires a product that is cost-effective, efficient, environment friendly, and automatic solution to reduce maintenance cost for better performance. Using SBR with ACCS gives you just that. It is a revolutionary product that provides excellent performance, zero maintenance cost, and fully automatic operations.

     
     

    Automatic Chiller Cleaning System

    How Automatic Tube & Condenser Cleaning System Improves Your Business

    July 10, 2020

    Chillers are the single largest consumer of electricity in commercial and institutional HVAC facilities. To facilitate the smooth operations in leading pharmaceutical companies, hotel chains, topmost hospitals, commercial buildings and manufacturing units, we provide Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS) for chillers across India.

    ACCS is an automatic tube cleaning system used in heat exchangers or chillers. It is specially designed to prevent common problems like rusting, fouling, bioaccumulation in tubes while keeping the chillers trouble-free for a long time.

    Problems that arise with Cooling Systems

    Water-based cooling systems suffer from fouling and scaling. This fouling reduces the heat transfer in the condenser tubes leading to increased energy consumption and reduced efficiency of your chiller system.

    Corrosion is one of the major problems that arise in a condenser. It is equivalent to cancer for condenser tubes. Over a period of time, it can lead to puncture of tubes which cause damage to capital equipment as well.

    Further, you may have to use harsh chemicals which further increase the maintenance cost and downtime. ACCS is the ultimate solution to prevent all these problems as it keeps condenser tubes free of fouling 24*7.

    How does it work

    Specialized ACCS balls are designed for cleaning tubes that are injected at set intervals into the cooling water flow. Also, the condition of the balls can be easily monitored through the window of the ball collector. Further, under the motive force of all water, ACCS balls travel along the mainline to reach the condenser tubes where the cleaning of internal tubes starts.

    The tubes are kept clean by scrubbing and wiping action of the ACCS balls that prevent any kind of buildup of deposits on the tube surface. Then, all the tubes are routed to the ball trap and system water runs as usual. These system balls continue to move to the ball collector where they are rinsed well and prepared for the next ACCS cycle.

    Benefits of Installing Automatic Condenser Cleaning System

    Improved efficiency: ACCS prevents heat exchanger tubes from accumulating mud, scale, or biological fouling which accumulates over time and degrades the performance of the heat exchanger. This leads to lower energy consumption and cost reduction. The automatic tube cleaning system provides up to 30% energy saving to the organization.

    Increase life cycle of chillers: The ACCS runs automatically and continuously cleans the tubes by specially designed ACCS balls which prevent corrosion regularly. Hence, the elimination of corrosion and fouling results in an extended condenser life cycle. So the chiller continuously operates at optimum efficiency without any wear and tear.

    Eliminates downtime The newly designed ACCS eliminates downtime and maintenance costs. Since the system works automatically, any dependability on chemicals or manual cleaning is reduced.

    Zero ball loss: Innovative ACCS ball trap design installed at the water piping exiting the condenser collects the balls for re-circulation in the system. So that there is absolutely no need for system shutdown for descaling and as a result, Chiller operates at 100% efficiency.

    Lower water treatment costs: Water treatment is only required to prevent scaling of ancillary equipment, leading to cost savings of as much as 50% of the cost of chemicals used for water treatment.

    Environment friendly: The automatic tube cleaning system uses no chemicals. Most of the maintenance techniques used for fouling mitigation uses chemical inhibitors which are very costly and harms the environment.

    Everything from keeping a daily record of the chiller output and using most innovative maintenance solutions will yield optimum efficiency of the chillers and great energy savings in a short time. Now, when most of the organizations are switching to green technology, ACCS provides fully automatic and eco-friendly chillers for its conscious consumers.

     
     

    Automatic Tube Cleaning System

    Why proper water treatment is the lifeline of cooling towers?

    June 29, 2020

     

    Many industries like petrochemical plants, oil refineries, commercial buildings and thermal power stations use cooling towers in their facilities. In those cooling towers, cooling is achieved using evaporation which leads to leftover water to be concentrated. If the water is left untreated for a long time then the biological growth, chemical residue, sludge, and corrosion can disrupt the functioning of the cooling tower.

    Without water treatment, the performance of the cooling tower can be affected significantly which would ultimately lead to the replacement of the equipment. Which is why cooling tower water treatment is essential to ensure smooth processing and a long lifespan of its equipment.

    Water treatment solution plays an important part in the process optimization by effectively reducing the depletion of water, removing minerals like zinc, carbonate, and chromates from the water while controlling the growth of microorganisms. This does not only increase the efficiency of the cooling tower, but also saves water by making a significant proportion of industrial water reusable.

    A proper cooling tower water treatment leads to reduced scaling and gets rid of biological fouling and corrosion and prolongs the lifespan of the plant without damaging the environment.

    What is a cooling tower water treatment system?

    A cooling tower water treatment system is an advanced system of technologies that are designed to remove impurities from cooling tower intake water, circulation water and blowdown. The general cooling tower water treatment includes clarification, filtration, softening, chemical feed, and automated monitoring.

    The system works with the combination of adsorption, turbulence and galvanic action while subduing the scale built up in the cooling tower, pipeline, and heat exchange.

    What does a cooling tower water treatment system control?

    Cooling tower water treatment system is created using the required technologies to regulate the level of chlorides, iron, alkalinity, TDS, silica, and other elements. These elements increase the scale built up in both cooling towers and heat exchangers and combined with phosphate, iron can damage equipment to failure. Organic matter in the water promotes microorganisms, which leads to corrosion, fouling, and other system-related issues.

    A cooling tower water treatment completely removes the liquid and solid waste from the tower and allows treated water to be reused. It also regulates the level of:

     

    • Alkalinity
    • Chlorides
    • Iron
    • Microorganisms
    • Silica
    • Sulfates
    • TDS & TSS

     

    How does the cooling tower water treatment system work:

    The process of cooling tower water treatment systems works based on the specific needs of the cooling tower, the chemistry of the feed and water circulation. However, a general water treatment system includes the following steps.

    Filtration and ultrafiltration:

    It includes running the cooling tower water through a system of filtration which removes particles such as turbidity, sediment, and certain types of organic matter.

    Ion exchange/water softening:

    It removes the hardness in the source or makeup water, which can often lead to scale deposits and rust.

    Side-stream filtration:

    If the cooling tower water is to be recirculated in the system, then a side-stream filtration unit will be required in removing all sorts of problematic contaminants that have entered the system through a leak or drift contamination.

    Blowdown treatment:

    In this last step, cooling tower water treatment completely removes the liquid and solid waste from the tower and allows treated water to be reused.

    SBR (Non-chemical Water Treatment) — A Better Solution

    Cet provide a much better solution because it doesn’t involve adding chemicals into your water supply. SBR water treatment is our top-selling product and is available for residential, commercial and industrial use. It’s a fully automatic online technology that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance.

    It reduces the buildup in the pipes and will make the water softer, which will prolong the lifespan of your pipework and is a much better solution than hiring cooling tower treatment companies after every few months.

    SBR does not come with any sort of harmful chemicals and does not require a whole lot of maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about anything at all. Just install it with the water supply and you are good to go!

    SBR provides comprehensive cooling tower water treatment solutions to safeguard equipment, protect people and the environment, and ensure optimal ROI.

     
     

    Water Saving Sustainable Solutions

    “Cet-enviro offers a wide-product range for water-saving sustainable solutions,” highlights company representative

    June 24, 2020

    Cet-enviro is a four-year-old Indian company that provides energy and water-saving solutions. Amit Kumar Singh, International Business – Field of providing Energy & Water Saving Sustainable Solutions, Cet-enviro, said that the

    company has a wide service team stationed across metro cities that make installation effortless and also a strong research and development team that helps manufacture technologies in-house.

    Cet-enviro highlights that as per the NITI Aayog report, INDIA stands at 120th position out of 122 countries where almost 70% of water is being contaminated due to chemical utilization leading to excessive water wastage. Elaborating on the ACCS – Automation Condenser Cleaning System, Singh said: “The heat exchangers/condenser cleaning involves chemical circulation along with brushing, causing wear and tear of the tubes which requires shutdown.

    CET ENVIRO featured in national news for advancements in sustainable technology solutions

    ACCS is an online and completely automated system that keeps heat exchangers free from fouling. It does not only help save a lot of energy but also eliminates the downtime required for cleaning.” He said that pharmaceuticals companies, hotel chains, and hospitals require need air-conditioners 24×7 which is the biggest energy guzzler. Hence any inefficiency in these sectors leads to an increase in specific energy consumption considerably.

    ACCS supports maintaining its design efficiencies making the environment friendly and beneficial for pharmaceutical companies, hotel chains, and hospitals. Also, elaborating on the non-chemical treatment for cooling towers, he said: “Chemical dosing is done to restrict scaling, corrosion and biofouling in Cooling Towers but has a lot of limitations along with EHS issues and excessive water blowdown.

    Scale & Bio-Remover (SBR) is a solution to all water treatment problems of a Cooling Towers, as it has the features of eliminating chemical dosing, saves water, automation in water treatment, and filtration.” Adding, he said that the response received from the market towards SBR is overwhelming as they had not expected such a tremendous demand. “Industries that have cooling towers, and who are aware of SBR are asking for a site inspection.” Singh also drew attention to the looming target place on saving energy. He said: “Chillers specific energy consumption can be only monitored if COP or IKW/TR is measured. Almost all Chillers have energy meters if not separate metering is installed but it only measures electric consumption of Chillers.

    Flowmeters are required for measuring the TRH generated by Chillers which is generally not available at most sites.” Adding, he said that EMOS is an online monitoring tool that shows IKW/TR of the individual chillers on a real-time basis. It is a plug and play solution providing several benefits such as trend analysis, dashboard, alarm, etc. An important part of having EMOS is its ability to gauge the inefficiencies and issues much before, which helps save energy increasing the life span of Chillers. Also, while giving us an overview of the market value for the products, Singh said: “The value of any product is defined by its overall impact and how sustainable it is.

    The industry values our solutions and that is visible from the respect we enjoy from our customers. Quality and service are two strongest pillars on which we strive and that is why customers rate us much above any of competitor of ours.” He added and said: “A growing company often deals with cash flow issues, however, it’s more important on how we manage without many debts. We are proud to say that we have been sustaining without a single debt/loan since the inspection.”

    AI in Homes & Buildings Estimated to Garner Revenues of Nearly $9 Billion by 2030

    Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, Artificial Intelligence in the Global Homes & Buildings Industry, forecast to 2030, finds that the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) in the homes and buildings space is gaining rapid momentum across the globe as the industry is estimated to witness an approximately 15-fold increase by 2030. Increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 27.7%, the industry is likely to garner revenues of $8.98 billion by

    2030, compared to $610.2 million in 2019.

     
     

    Green Technology For Savings and Sustainability

    Here’s everything you don’t know about the treatment of Cooling Tower with chemicals.

    June 19, 2020

    For water cooling tower systems, efficient heat removal is required for smooth operations. Water is a universal solvent that works as an excellent medium for the heat transfer in cooling towers due to its capability of dissolving and retaining high concentrations of minerals and deposits.

    However, the water must be treated regularly to remove dissolved contaminants or it will result in cooling tower problems such as scaling, fouling and corrosion. The outcome is a loss of heat transfer, along with the inefficiency of the cooling tower. That’s why chemical water treatments are necessary to remove damaging mineral particles and prevent microbiological growths.

    A good, comprehensive cooling tower water treatment system can help reduce maintenance costs, lower water consumption and lower energy costs. By utilizing high-quality makeup water, it can also help you reduce the frequency of blowdown or cooling tower bleed.

    There are many water cooling tower types available in the market to meet these requirements but their efficiency is highly questionable. The most common practice is Chemical Treatment which provides a protective chemical layer to prevent biological fouling and deposits through the use of oxidizing and non-oxidizing biocide programs. However, there are certain risks involved with treating your cooling tower water with harmful chemicals.

    Chemicals are highly toxic, and their handling is highly dangerous. Chemical water cooling tower treatment products are also expensive and have to be purchased repeatedly because they do not offer a definite solution. Added to the risk of accidental toxic contamination, the risk increases during the water treatment.

    The development of the purification techniques caused a notable increase of the number of chemicals used: chlorine, lime, iron chloride, soda, bleach, varied flocculating agents, sulphuric acid, methanol that also increases the risk of chemical reaction following an ocular or cutaneous exposure. That’s why a chemical free cooling tower water treatment is essential to reduce these risks.

    Introducing SBR: Non-chemical water treatment for cooling towers

    Understanding the need of the hour, CET-enviro presents a compelling opportunity to incorporate a sustainable green-technology that treats cooling tower water in an environmentally friendly manner. SBR is a fully automatic online technology that continuously cleans the water cooling tower without any chemicals.

    SBR is an environmentally friendly, safe, alternative method for water treatment that provides operational savings and longer equipment life while also contributing to a more sustainable future. It immediately reduces the environmental footprint and increases your savings by eliminating toxic water treatment chemicals.

    The major concerns for all corporations with the purpose of thermal transfer are cost-effectiveness in terms of energy and water Savings. SBR meets all these criteria for effective water treatment through control of scale/corrosion/biological growth for thermal transfer efficiency.

    The SBR Advantages are:

    Eliminates all chemical costs.

    Significant savings of water and

    Dramatically reduces maintenance and down-time

    Dramatically reduces the volume of blowdown loss.

    With your system operating free of chemicals, your facility will use considerably less water and less electrical power. Since the SBR System will also clean out the existing scale from your system, the heat transfer process of your system will improve so there will be less loading of the chillers and there will be less wear and fewer breakdowns.

    With the sole intent of giving building owners and facility managers an eco-friendly alternative for providing operational savings, SBR water cooling tower system should be your go-to solution for a more sustainable future.

    COVID-19 Pandemic

    How Can We Bring a Balance Between Environment and Economy in COVID-19 Pandemic

    June 11, 2020

    Empty streets, travel restrictions, social distancing has become the new normal due to the pandemic that wedged the world indoors. The enormous social and economic consequences of the pandemic are becoming clearer by the day, and we’ll be feeling the effects on our lives and livelihoods for decades to come.

    Yet, skies are becoming clearer by the day as life without pollution has allowed nature to reassert itself. This makes us wonder if COVID-19 may present a window of opportunity – perhaps a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us to come closer to achieving the sustainability goals in the HVAC industry.

    HVAC systems are among the most energy-intensive mechanisms of any business. In fact, space cooling alone accounts for 15% of the electricity used in commercial buildings on average. According to an American study, much of the energy and cost that goes into powering HVAC is lost to waste – upwards of 30% in the average commercial building.

    Hence, reducing wasted energy consumption is an important building block in the push for greater sustainability in the HVAC industry. However, the good news is that the HVAC industry has come a long way and the recent breakthroughs in renewable energy and smart technology are making these systems more sustainable than ever before.

    As a leading solution provider in HVAC sustainability, it is our responsibility to look ahead and assess how the pandemic and the global recovery from it will impact the future of sustainable development. As you consider which HVAC system is right for your next project, check out our top solutions that can help balance your economic growth with sustainability goals:

    Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS):

    Blog Image

    Chillers are the single largest individual user of electricity in commercial and institutional HVAC facilities that need round-the-clock maintenance. Without proper cleaning, the performance usually deteriorates with time because of the accumulation of deposits, biological growth, and corrosion on heat transfer surfaces.

    It is estimated that a build-up of a 0.6 mm thick layer of fouling on the condenser water tubes will reduce chiller efficiency by a minimum of 20%.

    Most modern technology used today for round-the-clock cleaning of Chiller tubes is our Automatic Tube Cleaning System or ACCS. The ACCS gets rid of all these issues and that too, in a very small amount of time. This is an online method that infuses some slightly oversized elastomer balls periodically to the Condenser tubes and keeps the tubes free of fouling 24×7.

    It also optimizes heat transfer performance while removing downtime. This automatic method of cleaning heat exchanger tubes occurs while the equipment remains operational. There is absolutely no need for system shutdown for descaling and as a result, Chiller operates at top performance and efficiency while providing up to 30% energy savings.

    NON-Chemical Water Treatment for Cooling Tower (SBR):

    Non-chemical water treatment system for cooling towers, featuring SBR technology and connected pipes

    Cooling system water quality directly affects the reliability, efficiency, and operating cost of industrial or institutional cooling systems. Depending on the quality of water added to the cooling tower and the operation efficiency of the unit, large amounts of solids can remain after evaporation occurs, causing an increased need to blowdown.

    SBR is a fully automatic online “Green” technology that continuously cleans the cooling tower water and augments the cooling performance and treats cooling water without any chemicals.

    It helps you get rid of Cooling Tower water treatment problems like Biofouling, scaling, and corrosion that reduces the efficiency of your cooling system. No chemical feeds or discharge means 100% savings on chemicals, 20% – 40% decrease in water usage, 5% – 15% lower energy costs, and 10% – 50% reduction in labour costs.

    Speak to our team of experts today to know more about this solution.

    How is the HVAC industry foreseeing sustainable development in this pandemic?

    This pandemic has served as a wake-up call for industries to invest in sustainable practices. As we progress, we learn more facts guiding us towards taking practical decisions. One thing we know for certain that it’s not going to be with us forever. Therefore, we have to start making decisions that are in everyone’s best interests.

    In the coming future, the HVAC industry will not only help with economic sustainability but also aim towards developing a nontoxic environment that can indirectly help in balanced business interest.

     
     

    Condenser Systems

    Automatic Condenser Cleaning System: An Ultimate Solution to your Soiling Problems!

    November 11, 2019

    Condenser systems are used in many industries. Although there were some solutions for cleaning these systems, they weren’t effective enough. ACCS is a great leap forward in this regard. It has completely transformed the cleaning method of condenser systems.

    Here are some of its most prominent benefits:

    Regular Cleaning

    The automatic tube cleaning system cleans your equipment regularly and automatically. This means you no longer need to worry about the cleanliness of the same. When the equipment isn’t cleaned regularly, it develops multiple issues such as fouling. Using the ACCS will help you in avoiding those issues. As your equipment will remain clean, it will perform with optimum efficiency too. ACCS is an eco-friendly solution. It can help reduce energy consumption by 30%. This means you can reduce your operation costs with the help of this solution too.

    The automatic tube cleaning system cleans your equipment regularly and automatically. This means you no longer need to worry about the cleanliness of the same. When the equipment isn’t cleaned regularly, it develops multiple issues such as fouling. Using the ACCS will help you in avoiding those issues. As your equipment will remain clean, it will perform with optimum efficiency too. ACCS is an eco-friendly solution. It can help reduce energy consumption by 30%. This means you can reduce your operation costs with the help of this solution too.

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    No Ball Loss

    A common problem many operators face in cleaning condenser systems is of ball loss. The balls installed inside the condenser tubes get trapped or lost, which can lead to obstruction and plenty of other issues. ACCS solves that problem too through its innovative ball trap design. All the balls sent in the condenser tubes return without causing any issues. Balls that get stuck inside condenser tubes can lead to several issues. They hamper the productivity of the system and decrease the life of the equipment.

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    Increased Equipment Life

    The automatic tube cleaning system keeps your equipment in pristine condition. It helps you in avoiding corrosion of the tubes and other components of the equipment. When your equipment remains free from corrosion; its life increases. This means you don’t have to replace your equipment more often than required. This is another significant advantage of using ACCS. You can save a substantial through this method.

    An Advanced Solution

    The automatic condenser cleaning system is certainly one of the most innovative solutions in the market. It helps you in enhancing productivity, increasing equipment life, and reducing costs. That’s why it’s so popular in multiple industries.

    What do you think of ACCS? Let us know.

     
     

    Methods to Clean Condensers

    5 Ways to Clean the Condenser

    October 15, 2019

    A clean condenser keeps your operations steady and efficiency high. And lowering in the efficiency of the system can lead to considerable losses of time, energy and finances. That’s why regular cleaning is important.

    Here are five methods to clean condensers:

    Using Automatic Tube Cleaning System (ACCS)

    As the name suggests, Automatic Tube Cleaning System is an advanced measure of cleaning condenser tubes. A dirty condenser faces many issues including fouling and depreciation of the tube’s material. The ACCS gets rid of all these issues and that too, in a very small amount of time. It optimizes the heat transfer performance and removes downtime. This helps you in getting effective results with maximum efficiency. If you’d ask us, we’d suggest going with ACCS.

    Cleaning with a Brush

    The oldest method of cleaning condensers is through brushes. In this method, you’d attach a brush on a long rod, making sure that the brush’s bristles are longer than the radius of the tube. Then you’d use the rods to clean the interior of the tubes after throwing in some water for lubrication. It’s an obsolete method and has been discarded by many organizations. Its main issue is it leaves a lot of residue inside the tube and takes up a lot of time and energy.

    Cleaning with TCGs

    TCG stands for Tube Cleaning Gun. These guns project high-pressure water in the tubes and target the dirt. Like the ‘brush method’, this method is also old and obsolete. The primary issue with this procedure is the consumption of time. And it has the risk of increasing the clog inside the tubes as the high-pressure water may not be able to get rid of all the dirt.

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    Cleaning with Chemicals

    In this method, one adds acid solutions and circulates them through the tube bundles. This softens the scale deposits which are then cleaned with brushes. Chemicals are quite costly, and that’s why this method is also discarded in modern operations. Moreover, to perform this procedure effectively you’d need a highly trained expert.

    Using COLTS

    COLTS stands for Condenser Tube Cleaning System. In this method, specialized sponge rubber balls are inserted in the Condenser. They prevent the build-up of any scaling or fouling. After the passage, the system retrieves the balls and pumps them into inlets. It’s an automatic system. This means you won’t have to worry about its operation and efficiency. This is another favored method of multiple industries.

    What’s your Choice?

    Which method would you prefer for your condenser’s cleaning? Let us know through your comments. We’d love to hear from you. You can find out more about ACCS and COLTS.

     
     

    4 Ways to Maintain Industrial Cooling Towers and Chillers – How SBR can help?

    September 24, 2019

    Maintaining industrial cooling towers isn’t an easy task if you don’t know much about them.

    With a little knowledge, you can make this task simple and efficient for yourself. By proper maintenance, you can enhance the performance and longevity of your chiller as well.

    Just follow these tips to maintain your industrial chiller:

    Regular Inspection

    The fundamental method to maintain your industrial cooling tower is to inspect it regularly. From the gearbox to the water pump, you should do regular inspection to ensure there are no loose components.

    Regular inspection will also allow you to spot corrosion, scaling and other similar adverse issues.

    When you’ll find these issues before they escalate, you can get rid of them and keep your chiller in optimum condition.

    Removing Deposits of Impurities

    Impurities present in the water of the cooling tower gets collected in the system. They hinder the temperature of the chiller. Impure water requires more energy for changing its temperature.

    So if you don’t use a cleaning system for your cooling tower, it’s necessary that you clean the tubes regularly and check the chiller for any sedimentation.

    The collected impurities can damage the life of your chiller too. So you should remove those deposits regularly for keeping the tower free from any issues.

    Improving Airflow

      The fans of the chiller should be working properly. Due to some loose components or damaged fan blades, the airflow of the chiller could be disturbed.

      Presence of debris in the tower can also result in the formation of sludge which hinders proper airflow.

      Formation of algae in the windpipes can also damage the airflow, resulting in blockage and reduced efficiency.

    Using SBR for Water Treatment

      The water present in the cooling tower plays a crucial role in its operation. However, the presence of various impurities such as dust, minerals, etc. can cause several issues to develop in your chiller.

      Scale and Bio-Removal system can help you in treating your water and remove those impurities without hampering the productivity of your chiller.

      It keeps the water pure and free from any harmful microbes as well, ensuring that your chiller works with maximum efficiency.

    Conclusion

      By following the above 4 tips, you can keep your chiller in perfect condition, increase its life and ensure that it takes as low energy as possible.

      If you have any questions regarding these tips and topic, feel free to let us know.

      And if you liked this article, then don’t forget to share it with others who might find it useful.

     
     

    Taj Palace New Delhi

    Solution from CET ENVIRO has contributed a lot by reducing HVAC load & Saving lot of energy at Taj Palace, New Delhi”

    July 5, 2019

    In this exclusive article, Mr. Rothin Banerjee, Director of Engineering at Taj Palace, New Delhi gives us an insight on how the CET ENVIRO’s ACCS helped Taj Palace, New Delhi to earn high energy savings…

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    THE PROBLEM

    “We at the Taj Group, have always believed in society and environment being integral stakeholders in our business and we consistently adopt measures to reduce our energy consumption. In this aspect, we did a study of our chillers last year and we found out that the performance of chiller is effecting due to high condenser approach temperature, even though we were regularly doing the decaling activity. The reason was primarily due to substandard water quality leading to formation of scale. We had to limit the descaling activity as it leads to tube deterioration. We wanted a permanent solution to this problem”

    CET ENVIRO ACCS – The total solution

    “In hotel industry, the focus of engineering department is always to adopt new technologies to cut energy consumption, and to reduce HLP (heat, light, power) expense which is almost 7-8% of the total revenue. In this initiative, we had installed a new set of Chiller and Cooling tower last year in our hotel with chiller optimizers equipped with ACCS system.

    The ACCS system is working remarkably ever since it is installed, and it has supported the Chiller system us to maintain an approach temperature of less than 3 degrees Celsius for the entire year. The cooling tubes remain clean, resulting in improved heat transfer and reduced energy consumption.

    This complete package of new Chiller, cooling tower and ACCS has already given us savings worth INR 99 lakhs approx. in nine months.”

    EFFICIENT CUSTOMER SERVICE

    “It is worth to mention the high quality and an effective customer service provided by CET ENVIRO team. The ACCS system is duly monitored and checked on regular intervals by CET ENVIRO representatives to ensure that the system is working fine and effectively. We are considering to install similar system at our other chillers as well.”

     
     

    Perfetti Van Melle

    Inside story of an Industry leader who could drive energy savings through improvements in Facility Management INR 1.6 million worth energy savings per annum!

    December 11, 2018

    World’s largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum, and the most popular name among all kids, Perfetti Van Melle surely care about its customers, people and the environment.To reduce the impact on the environment, the company frequently implements initiatives to reduce energy and water consumption, limiting waste and atmosphere emissions from their manufacturing locations. How? Do you want to know their secret? ACCS – The Automatic Tube Cleaning System from CET Enviro is one of such initiative that the company now boasts off.

    newsletter

    Mr R.Ananthakrishnan, Associate Head – Engg & Projects, Perfetti Van Melle Chennai shares this secret.

    “We were facing the problem of fouling in condenser tubes and were occupied to clean it very frequently. Every three-four months, we had to do the Condenser descaling leading to wastage of a lot of man-hours and unnecessary chiller shut-down”

    We had opted for CET make ACCS Automatic Chiller Tube Cleaning System to reduce our maintenance hassles and to improve our chiller efficiency. ACCS was installed on 3 of our Trane make chillers in the month of July 2018 and right from starting it started giving us good results.

    So, what was really the problem that the utility team was facing?

    “Even after manual descaling, the approach of our condenser was going up by 3 degrees in few days. Approach Temperature is one of the important criteria for analyzing the performance and efficiency of Water-cooled Chiller. And it is directly proportional to Chiller performance and plant operating expenses” said Mr. Ananthakrishnan.

    So, an increase in approach temperature can lead to potential loss of Chiller efficiencies and reduced performance output.

    This is one of the important projects for us at Perfetti. This product will further bring us closer to our goal to reduce energy consumption.

    Why ACCS from CET Enviro?

    After doing a deep analysis of the market and evaluating all products exiting in the market, we had shortlisted CET Enviro for ACCS. We received a very good feedback from our other plant where ACCS is already working successfully. Looking at the product quality and after sales service, CET Enviro was an obvious choice for us!

    ACCS system is a very good product that maintains the approach temperature very efficiently. Even in 90% load, it is rarely moving around 0.2-0.3 only.
    – Mr R.Ananthakrishnan

    “The services and delivery are as per our expectation. My engineering team is very happy and excited to experience a huge energy saving. We are expecting around INR 1.6 million worth energy savings per annum.”
    – Shared Mr R.Ananthakrishnan.

    We have dedicated programs and initiatives in reduce our energy consumption and we are ACCS surely illustrates a good example. We are happy to recommend you further!

     
     

    Air Conditioning Control System

    Problems of Cooling Tower leading to huge operational costs and water wastage!

    December 7, 2018

    Biofouling, scaling, and corrosion

    These problems lead to water wastage and deteriorate the internal pipes and system of the complete cooling system. This naturally makes maintenance a costly hassle and reduces the overall efficiency of the cooling system.

    Water Wastage

    Considering the massive amount of water that is flushed frequently, Cooling towers are one of the causes behind water wastage in commercial and industrial setups. They also have detrimental consequences if not maintained properly or left untreated.

    Water is scarce. Thus, there is an imminent need to use water efficiently and treat it within the parameters of environment i.e without using any Chemicals, to make it sustainable

    Rise in Operational costs

    Fouling slows down cooling processes and results in increased operating costs due to:

    • Reduced cooling Flow & Increased Pressure on cooling systems leading to Loss of Energy
    • Equipment Damage
    • Cleaning and Disposal of Toxic Waste
    • Increased Safety Hazards
    • Ongoing Use of Costly Chemical Additives

    The table below shows the potential impact of calcium scale deposit on a 500-tonne chiller running at full load, 24 hours per day. Actual increased energy use depends on compressor type, actual operating condenser head pressure, and percent operating load.

    FOULING Thickness (in inches) Fouling factor Efficiency loss (in %)
    0 0 0
    0.01 0.0008 9
    0.02 0.0017 18
    0.03 0.0025 27
    0.04 0.0033 36
    0.05 0.0042 45
     
     

    Benefits of Automatic Tube Cleaning System

    Save More & Perform More with Advanced ACCS

    August 10, 2018

     

    The advanced automatic tube cleaning system, ACCS comes installed with the recently manufactured heat exchangers and is used to keep the tubes clean without taking up a lot of time which eventually results in an enhanced performance of the same. It consists of specialized cleaning balls which at times inject at set intervals right into the cooling water flow. The balls then rub the tubes clean and happen to get trapped at the outlet of the heat exchanger where they are up for the next cleaning cycle.

    Typical installations that consist of central chilled water plants which are installed in hospitals or universities can be made more efficient with the use of ACCS as then the man power would also reduce and the work would be done at a faster pace than ever before. The ball traps that you would find in the ACCS can be availed in different sizes shapes and sizes that would ensure about the flow configurations that can easily be integrated with the existing pipe runs and the space for installation. With the help of ACCS you would permanently be able to solve the fouling and scaling problem and can avoid frequent cleaning of the chiller condenser tubes again that might disrupt the chiller operation and make it clean completely.

    The automatic tube cleaning system is essential to ensure about saving the energy , feasible tube cleaning for larger industries, power plants and commercial purposes. Over time, the traditional cleaning methods have proven to be quite inefficient as they require the use of harmful chemicals along with process shutdown. What make ACCS  the best today, are reasons given below:

    Improve Energy Efficiency by up to 25%

    The ACCS prevents the heat exchanger tubes to accumulate mud, scale, or biological fouling. Earlier, these deposits used to get accumulated over time and would eventually degrade the performance of the heat exchanger. With the introduction of ACCS, many clients are able to gain around 10-15% of energy and can save up to as much as 25%.

    Case study:

    How we were able to save energy worthed INR 3 Million for Dr. Reddy’s?

    Rapid Monetary Returns

      Not just the ACCS results in the improvement of energy efficiency, the entire tube cleaning system tends to eliminate the manual task of condenser cleaning. Also, with this, the life expectancy of the heat transfer equipment also increases rapidly which results in low cost of investment as well. The ACCS can be of great value if you put it to use regularly and would work well for the longest possible time.

     
     

    Energy Efficient Chillers in The Mall

    How Can Energy-Efficient Chillers Bring More Tenants In The Mall?

    August 9, 2018

    Yes, we understand that this topic may seem a somewhat bizarre and even a little stretched, but it is nonetheless true. No matter what kind of real estate it is, commercial, residential or even industrial, sustainability is the buzzword in the modern-day times, and is in fact, one of the most-sought-after factors that helps tenants choose an office space. Some business owners are retailers, even consider it an unavoidable aspect, while purchasing or renting a property. And why not? After all, every business, regardless of its size wants to accomplish its social responsibility goals, and wants an added feather in its cap. Then again, who in their right mind wouldn’t want a decrease in the operating costs? Ultimately, it will only increase the profit margins!

    On the flip side, there is an incredible dearth of eco-friendly or green buildings in the market, as only as little as 2% of the office buildings offer the features which a sustainable work-space is expected to offer.

    One significant step towards making malls, as eco-friendly as possible, is the installation of chillers in place of air conditioners. For the uninitiated - Chillers are nothing but an extended version of a split-unit air conditioner, which works on the principle of absorption of heat through an evaporator, and releasing of the same via a condenser. The only difference here is that a chiller condenser is cooled by water that flows to the cooling tower.

    Below listed are some reasons why energy efficient chillers will help attract more tenants in a mall.

    Low Operating Cost

    With the chillers being installed in a mall, one can easily expect a decrease in utility bills by as much as 21%. Since every business and retail shop aims to churn as much profit as possible, it will get attracted to the prospect of low operating costs.

    Saves Electricity

      In the present-day world, every unit of electricity saved is electricity earned. Not only does this have huge monetary benefits, but also proves to be extremely valuable when it comes to contributing towards a greener earth. With chillers coming into play, a store in the mall that would otherwise be using 1,000 units of electricity, will end up using just 7,900 units, ensuring astounding benefits of chillers.

    Tenants Prefer Greener Energy

      Ask any real estate agent who works closely with prospective tenants, and it will be clear that more and more tenants are now preferring energy-efficient offices and malls as against conventional ones. While tenants may not be ready to pay higher rent, but the fact remains that the tenants will readily choose such a space and the mall will get occupied at an exceptionally fast pace!

     
     

    Hotel Energy Efficiency with accs

    Bring About Top-Notch Hotel Energy Efficiency with ACCS

    August 8, 2018

     

    Ever wondered what those big noisy boys (usually found in the basement area) meant for? These are the units that could run up your overall electricity bill up to 70 percent when you are running a hotel. These are the chiller units and these are used for generating cold water (4 to 7 Degree Celsius) that gets circulated to the guests & function rooms in the hotel building. These chiller units are used for cooling down the spaces as per the required comforting temperature in any hotel building.

    The cooling system of your hotel building is made out of the same component like any refrigerant. The refrigerant gets evaporated in the evaporator and heat gets absorbed. This evaporated heat then condenses in the condenser unit & helps in releasing heat from the hotel building & different units. The condenser unit needs to be cooled, probably brought about by water that keeps circulating over the cooling tower.

    Over the passage of time, mineral deposits & pollutants from the surroundings tend to accumulate over the cooling tower. Gradually, these deposits tend to hamper the overall energy efficiency & performance of the condenser unit as more running hours are required to ensure compensation from the compressor. A wastage or an increase of around 20 to 40 percent of electricity per cooling unit (measured in refrigeration ton) turns out to be an easy reach.

    Case study: How our solution helped 5 star hotel save 20% on their electricity?

    Eventually, the progression of fouling & scaling tends to unacceptably lower the overall performance. As a result, the guests at your hotel start complaining because of the overall failing of the cooling system. Vast amounts energy gets wasted between such cleaning interruptions due to the activity of the compressor. As such, an advanced Automatic Tube Cleaning System – ACCS or an on-line tube cleaning system can help in easily lowering this energy wastage as it will aid in keeping the condenser tubes clean throughout during operation without any human intervention. Moreover, a high-tech ACCS unit also helps in keeping the overall energy consumption per cooling unit at its lowest possible rate –throughout the year.

      With an average energy saving of around 20 percent on the overall electricity consumption by the compressor in your hotel unit, you can bring about effective cost minimization for ensuring top-notch operation. The total savings of the energy over the functional lifespan of the chiller unit in your hotel (around 10 years) will be equal to the investment needed for the next brand-new chiller unit.

     
     

    Hotel Energy Efficiency

    Here’s a Great Way to Improve Hotel Energy Efficiency!

    April 15, 2018

     

    Hotel chillers undertake the task of generating cold water, anywhere between 4 – 7º Celsius. This water essentially helps the air cooling system function flawlessly, by ensuring that both public, as well as private spaces in the hotel, maintain the desired temperature. For all we know, this cooling system mimics a usual refrigerant, which initially evaporates to absorb heat, and then condenses to release the same heat. Here, the condenser ought to be cooled consistently. This task is carried out by the cold water that circulates through the system.

    For what it’s worth, these chillers usually contribute to as much as 70% of the energy bills of the hotel. Given the massive expenditure as well as consumption of energy, it is only just for us to find ways to improve the energy efficiency. However, this is easier said than done, especially because of the various pollutants as well as mineral deposits caused by the water. Not only does this impact the performance of the cooling system, but also results in an uncanny rise of 20-40% in electricity waste. If not taken care of at the earliest, this build-up and scaling can result in fouling of the system only to lead to exceptionally low performance. Needless to say, this may upset the guests and mar the hotel’s reputation.

    At this point, you can opt for a regular cleaning service, wherein the deposits are removed through a mechanical or chemical process. As can be guessed, this will lead to unwanted interruptions in the condenser activity.

    There is, however, yet another way to ensure the system remains clean and works at its maximum capacity, without any interruptions – CET Enviro On-line Cleaning System. In this system, a group of soft sponge balls passes through Condenser internal pipes The movement of these balls through the pipes ensures the removal of all unwanted scale and biofilms, as many as 48 times a day.

    This cleaning system promises an energy saving of up to 30% while ensuring a longer life for the chiller and the compressor! We don’t even need to tell you, that this exemplary On-line Cleaning System will prove to be a great investment, and pay for itself, within a relatively short span of time!

    Efficient Building Management

    Efficient Building Management, No More a Hassle!

    April 10, 2018

    To own a building is one thing, to manage the expenses for its maintenance is another. In today’s times, chillers prove to be the most expensive when it comes to energy consumption. In fact, they usually account for as much as 50% of the electricity bills. However, it is believed that this consumption can be lowered significantly simply by increasing their efficiency. More than that later. For now, let us understand some basics.

    How do Chillers Function?

    Chillers are nothing but an extended version of a spilled unit air conditioner, which works on the principle of absorption of heat through an evaporator and releasing of the same via a condenser. The only difference here is that a chiller condenser is cooled by water, that flows to the cooling tower.

    The Good

    Chillers are highly preferred over conventional air-conditioners, since they help achieve the goal of maintaining the desired temperature in all types of spaces, at a significantly low cost.

    The Bad

      Unlike regular air-conditioners, water-cooled air-conditioning systems are susceptible to build-up caused due to various pollutants and mineral deposits. This has a negative impact on both, their performance as well as their energy efficiency. As a matter of fact, when working inefficiently, the chillers can consume a whopping 20-40% more electricity per cooling unit.

    The Solution

      Conventionally, service contractors used mechanical or chemical cleaning techniques to clear the cleaning system. This, however, resulted in undue interruptions in the functioning of the cooling system, which is rather impractical. Moreover, this process only ensures efficient functioning of the cooling system for a few days, after which the new build-up starts forcing it to decline gradually.

      The contemporary and more efficient solution to this problem is CET Enviro On-Line Cleaning System. Working on the principle of consistent cleaning, this system ensures that the condenser tubes are cleaned day-in and day-out. The cleaning sponge balls and the technique play a pivotal role in the cleaning process. As a result of this continual cleaning process, the energy consumption per cooling unit remains as low as possible.

      What makes the On-Line Cleaning System so promising is the fact, that it ensures that the chillers remain energy efficient all throughout the year, without any glitch.

      Overall, this system can help achieve an increased energy efficiency of up to 30%, thus offering great value for your money! And on the upside, it offers you an unparalleled opportunity to do your bit for the conservation of the environment and its resources!

     
     

    Automatic Tube Cleaning

    Why Automatic Tube Cleaning is Essential For Shell and Tube Type Heat Exchangers?

    March 1, 2018

    For all we know, fouling in shell and tube heat exchangers is more or less, inevitable. But have you ever wondered what can be the impact of this fouling? Let’s take a look!

    Once started, the fouling in the heat exchangers keeps increasing in thickness, eventually reducing the performance of heat transfer. This, in turn, does not allow a proper heat transfer and increases the running hours of Chillers. This can lead to a loss in business profitability since it leads to increased spending on energy bills as well as decreased revenues due to production loss.

    So, what exactly is the solution for all of it?

    The answer is rather simple – Automatic tube cleaning system or ACCS. No matter your business type – Chemical manufacturing, HVAC, refinery process or power plant, ACCS is one tried and tested method that will surely do the trick for you!

    Wondering why the hoopla around ACCS? Well, let us introduce you to some of the benefits that this system offers.

     

    • It reduces energy bills by up to 20%.
    • Bring the heat exchangers to their original cooling capacity.
    • Diminishes production loss and downtime.
    • Extend the life of equipment by over 20%.
    • Reduce the cost of maintenance.
    • Increase the power output, especially in case of a power plant.

     

    How fast the ACCS pays back for itself?

    Automatic Condenser Cleaning System

    Well, yes! In fact, more often than not, the cost of the installing the system is recovered in a matter of few months or a year at max.

    The system often pays for itself in less than 1 year. In some cases, its cost is recovered in few months by saving production loss on account of avoiding a compulsory shutdown.

    So, how exactly does it work?

    CET-Enviro’s Automatic Tube Cleaning System comprises of specialised balls which are infused into the cooling water flow at regular intervals. The balls travel through the tubes while cleaning them, and are then collected at the outlet. That being done, they are then prepared for the consequent cleaning cycle. Depending on the available space as well as pipe runs, ball traps can be availed in a wide range of shapes as well as flow configurations.

    What makes CET-Enviro ACCS worth your while?

    To begin with, you can rest assured that you won’t need to instigate process shutdowns. In addition, with CET-Enviro ACCS your plant will be free from the use of any chemicals for the cleaning process, thus relieving you from any work related to the disposal of such chemicals. Then again, we offer you a guarantee for zero lost balls, thus ensuring that you enjoy tremendous value for your money.

    Now that you’re aware of some of the impressive benefits of ACCS, we are more than sure that you will soon deploy the same for the maintenance of your shell and tube type heat exchangers.

    Do you face any problems? You can contact us at: info@cet-enviro.com

    Event CPhl and P-MEC INDIA

    Certification of Recognition from the event CPhl & P-MEC INDIA 2017!

    December 12, 2017

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    Automatic Condenser Cleaning System

    “We are saving a lot of money!” Says Suman Majumder, VP -Engineering, Hyatt Regency

    November 23, 2017

    About the client

    Hyatt Regency Delhi is one of the best luxury business hotels in New Delhi, and when it comes to adopting energy saving technologies, this prestigious hotel is an example. As a LEED Platinum five Star Hotel, Hyatt Regency Delhi is known for excellence in sustainable Design, Water Efficiency and Energy & Atmosphere.

    One of these technologies is Automatic Condenser Cleaning System (ACCS) from CET Enviro that the hotel is using and enjoying a lot of benefits.

    In a recent conversation, Suman Majumder (VP-Engineering, Hyatt Regency, Delhi) shared some rare insights.

    Let’s hear what Mr. Suman Majumder has to say about us!

    Mr Majumder, thank you for speaking with us. Could you tell us why your hotel needed the ACCS technology?

    It is known fact that Air-Conditioning is accountable for almost 40-50% of the total energy consumption in a five-star hotel.

    As part of our water saving initiatives, we are already using STP water for our chillers. Due to the water concentrate, we were experiencing soft slime in the condenser tubes, leading to high approach temperature and unnecessary high energy consumption.

    So, would it be safe to assume that ACCS has been the ideal option to you?

    As we intended to keep the approach temperature low, we were regularly cleaning our chillers by opening condenser inlet and cleaning the tubes manually. But during two descaling activity, the approach temperature was always rising. And, we cannot ignore that by the way of rodding or physical cleaning you may end up damaging the tubes.

    Of course, we had an option to treat Chiller internal tubes by chemicals dosage, but a keystone of Hyatt philosophy is to function with minimal environmental impact.

    So, what did you do?

    Chiller system is a high capital equipment and hence we were sure that we will only go for tried and tested system that is fully compatible with my chiller system.

    In this regard, we had to find a non-chemical solution and after doing a comprehensive industry checks and site visits, we quickly pin down CET ENVIRO’s ACCS.

    “The hotel industry speaks very high on your product and brand, and I am too finding it well”.

    And how did that work out for you?

    My main intension from ACCS was that it should clean up chiller internal tubes so efficiently that the approach temperature doesn’t increase at all. ACCS is a fully automatic system and the best part is that it performs cleaning action every half an hour whenever the chiller is running. ACCS is maintaining approach temperature of our chillers, in a reasonable and acceptable limit.

    “This system enables proper heat exchange and we are already saving a lot of energy because of this system”

    Kindly share your experience with team CET.

    It has been a hassle-less experience with CET Enviro. The timelines are maintained, and the team is experienced. The ACCS product is so efficient and service team is so efficient with their regular check-ups that we did not had specific instance of calling them for any service query.

    The best part is that I can use ACCS with STP water, I can get sufficiently low approach temperature, I can have energy saving and I am not doing any physical cleaning of the tubes. All these things are happening in one shot.

    So I am very happy and satisfied with this product.

    Close-up of corroded heat exchanger tubes

    Chiller Tube Cleaning – An Overview

    November 9, 2017

     

    In the large buildings, chillers are the single largest consumer of energy. As the energy price rises, it is often considered as the single as well as the potential source of energy savings. These chillers with their large electronic controls and microprocessors require the trained technician to maintain it and see through all the problems. Preventive maintenance – everything from keeping daily to weekly and monthly to annually operational reviews can only yield the optimum performance of these chiller tubes. Chiller tube cleaning is not as easy as it seems to be as it requires all the base points to be covered and demands the best chiller tube cleaning equipment. It includes several parts that are to be cleaned separately and accurately.

    Major items of concern:

    Refrigerant

    First of all, it is quite essential to maintain the refrigerant so as to decrease the load on the compressor. This minimized compressor load will itself increases the system efficiency.

    Tube Cleaning

      It is the matter of fact that chiller typically has several miles of tubing and thus it is important to keep these tubes as clean as possible. Chiller efficiency is greatly affected by the cleanliness of the heat transfer surfaces than any other factor. Efficiency declines rapidly if contaminants are present on the chiller tube surfaces. Their presence can increase thermal resistance and chiller finds it hard to meet the demands.

    Water Treatment

      Some sort of water treatment is required when condensers use an open cooling source so as to control scale, biological growth, and corrosion which can lead to the fouling of the condenser. Chiller condenser tube cleaning is very much important so as to enhance the life of this potential energy saving source. One should keep in the mind the fact that the more the condenser becomes fouled, the more energy it takes to satiate the demand placed on it.

    Lubrication

    Lubrication is yet another item of concern while talking about chiller tube cleaning. Basically, it is the lab test which should be done annually so as to keep the track for moisture content, acids and other contaminants that can affect its performance.

    Motors and other electrical equipment

    Chiller motor is the largest consumer of energy and probably the most important part of this energy source and hence its maintenance is quite important. Make sure that cooling air vents are properly cleaned the shaft seals should be checked on the regular basis. In order to achieve peak performance, wiring and other electrical connections should be checked from time to time.

     
     

    Chiller Tube Cleaning Methods

    Chiller Tube Cleaning Methods

    November 9, 2017

    Cleaning of chiller tube is paramount so as to achieve the peak performance. It requires the use of the best cleaning equipment that can clean it completely and can make it free from the contaminants. Throughout many years, we have employed plenty of chiller tube cleaning methods, some become successful and some have left the race. It is important to opt for the potential tube cleaning method so as to get the best results. Automatic chiller cleaning is the key to keep the heat exchangers at peak efficiency. The following article is the discussion of several tube cleaning methods along with their advantages.

    Rod and Brush Method

    Perhaps it is the oldest chiller tube cleaning methods. This usually involves the length of the rod along with nylon or wire brush larger than the tube’s inner diameter. Basically, the tube is flushed with water from a hose and then brush is manually pushed through the tubes. This method is very cheap and requires little training or expertise.

    Tube cleaning Guns

    This is the latest method to clean the chiller tubes. It makes the use of compressed air or water or high-pressure water alone to propel the cleaning projectile through the tubes to eliminate deposits. With its fast speed, the tubes are cleaned within little or no time. Like the previous method, it also requires little expertise or training.

    Chemical cleaning

      Cleaning of the chiller tubes with the help of chemicals is yet another method to remove the contaminants from the surface of the tube and thus increases its efficiency. It employs the use of an acid solution which is circulated through the tube bundle so as to break down or soften the scale deposits in the tube. Though this method is quite costly but can clean the tubes completely.

    Rotary Tube Cleaners

      This chiller tube cleaning machine uses either an electric or air motor in order to rotate the flexible shaft. It is encased in the plastic casing and transport the water to the cleaning tool. These cleaning tools are capable of cleaning all sorts of deposits including hard scales. This tube cleaning method is affordable and quite simple to perform. Apart from this, it requires only one operator and thereby reduces the cost of the laborers. These rotary tube cleaners range from simple to more advanced models with variable speed and bi-directional rotation. Also, it is the most effective method of cleaning new chillers that use internally enhanced tubes.

    Why must the HVAC industry prioritize Condenser Maintenance for chillers?

    January 1, 1970

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    Condenser tube cleaning is an important aspect of the smooth operation of your HVAC systems. Even though the condenser is one of the components within chillers, its maintenance has a huge effect on the overall efficiency of the entire system. With condenser tubes playing such a vital role in overall unit efficiency, it is very crucial to frequently clean condenser tubes.

    The whole purpose of the condenser tube cleaning is to move heat out and replace it with cool air. Clean condenser tubes keep systems operating cool, which is important for compressors to operate efficiently and allows the unit to maintain the proper temperature. Condenser tubes that are not cleaned regularly will cause the compressor to overheat which then creates higher temperatures in the HVAC system and can lead to heat and energy loss.

    However, it is easy to be fooled by tubes that look clean on the surface but are dirty or plugged on the inside. Condenser coils are usually stacked, meaning they have multiple layers in which dust and grease can get trapped. Grease, dust and items blocking airflow will all cause issues for condenser coils and in turn, could cause compressor damage.

    This can lead to compressor failures which account for large expenses in the HVAC system operation. The failure can usually be traced back to condenser coil issues. Keeping up with regular condenser coil cleaning and maintenance can help avoid such issues. Regular condenser tube cleaning can help you steer clear of these problems while ensuring that the chillers are operating closer to the desired output.

    Here are 3 reasons why condenser tube cleaning is important:

    1. For optimum performance:

    Your HVAC system is a complex machine that is composed of several parts. Your condenser is one of the most important parts that work like the heart of the system. If it doesn’t work well, then the whole system will be affected. Residue and debris in condenser tubes can impede the efficiency of your chillers. That’s why it is important to have regular tube cleaning from time to time to make sure that the chillers are performing at their best.

    2. To reduce zero heat loss:

      One large potential challenge to desired chiller performance is to prevent heat loss from condenser tubes. HVAC system efficiency deteriorates as tubes become fouled, when mud, algae, sludge, scale or contaminants accumulate on the waterside of heat-transfer surfaces. Chiller performance and efficiency relate directly to its ability to transfer heat, which begins with clean evaporator and condenser tubes. Large chillers contain several miles of tubing in their heat exchangers, so keeping these large surfaces clean is essential to reduce heat and energy loss through condenser tubes.

    3. Extent life cycle with no downtime:

      Regular maintenance is the best way to maximize the life of your air conditioner. It extends chiller life and increases ROI because the compressor never operates beyond its design limits and condenser tube corrosion is eliminated. The automatic tube cleaning system keeps the condenser tubes permanently clean while the chiller is operating thus eliminating the need for manual cleaning while lowering your maintenance and energy bills.

      Given the current economic situation of the HVAC industry today, companies need to be investing in solutions that can increase profitability with sustainability. Estimates have shown that additional revenues from annual cleanings of the main condenser can net upwards of $250,000 per year.

      Automatic Condenser Tube Cleaning (ACCS) is clearly one of the maintenance solutions that can quickly and easily clean the condenser tubes. Therefore, it is important to regular and automated clean condenser coils…even if they may seem clean, dirt and grease are building

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