Regular cooling tower inspections are necessary for maintaining your cooling system. If you’re wondering how to inspect a cooling tower, depending on what type of cooling tower you have, the way you inspect it can vary. Large, multi-cell industrial cooling towers tend to be much more difficult to inspect than small packaged units, and small units tend to be much quicker. Although there is no set-in-stone way of inspecting a cooling tower, there is still a basic set of things that should be taken into consideration. Once you’ve established a foundation for your inspection, you can start to adapt it to your business’ needs. Contact Industrial Cooling Solutions today to learn more.
Inspect the Site
You should start every cooling tower inspection with a general inspection of the site. Is the area free of debris and other obstructions that may affect the way the way your cooling tower performs? Is there recirculation like discharge flume returning to the inlet? These are all questions you should ask yourself as you inspect the area. Make sure to take notes as you go so you know what you’ll need to work on. Another thing you should look for is environmental factors. Are there trees in the area releasing pollen or are there leaves all over on the ground? Is your cooling unit exposed to chemicals, dirt, sand, or anything else that may be destructive? Make note of it.
Inspect the Units
It never hurts to check the manufacturer, model number, and serial number of your unit if you don’t already have this information on record. If there is no branding on your unit or your company doesn’t have any record of it, you should take measurements that will help you better understand your cooling tower. Additionally, you should be taking pictures so that you can reference individual components without having to go back to the site. These measurements will be important when you need to make repairs or replacements.
Frame
As you go into a deeper inspection of your unit, you should take a look at the overall structure of it. Does it appear to be sturdy and not have any missing or loose components? If it’s exposed to extreme weather conditions, this will be an important step.
Pipes
Both pipes that are outside of the perimeter of the cooling tower and pipes that belong to the cooling tower should be inspected. You should check for structural soundness as well as proper installation.
Fill
The fill is an integral component in your cooling tower. It’s the medium used to increase the surface area of the tower, allowing for maximized air-water contact, thus resulting in greater evaporation rates and more cooling. When you inspect your fill, check its general physical condition, look for algae growth, fouling, and other deposits, or uneven water distribution.
Drift Eliminators
Drift eliminators are important for preventing water droplets and mist from leaving the cooling tower by causing water droplets to change direction. Check for areas of excessive drift as you inspect this component.
Industrial Cooling Solutions
Whether you’re looking for cooling tower repairs, replacement, upgrades, or a brand new installation, Industrial Cooling Solutions is your dependable outlet for all your needs. Our company was founded with the mission to create value for our customers by developing and implementing innovative cooling solutions that are financially and technically feasible, all the while, being environmentally sustainable.
Headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado, we have placements in Japan, Thailand, as well as representatives located globally. Our professional staff come from various backgrounds in cooling tower, power generation, and other relevant fields. Each one of our employees is dedicated, hardworking, and committed to the success of our clients. Stay tuned to our blog to learn more about the cooling tower inspection process and contact us today.
Learn more here in part 2 of how to inspect a cooling tower.
