What Pieces of Cooling Tower Feed and Control Equipment are Best for Me?

When updating your equipment, a few considerations should be made. All of these considerations should be researched to determine what is best for you.

• Price
  This is put at the top of the list as it is one of the most important factors, but continue on, and price will probably move down on your list.
• Controllers
  What options would help me maintain more consistent programs – Biocide Feed options, Flow switches, Water Meter Read-outs? Given today’s technology, remote access through your computer and the controller, may provide the best scenario of cost, results and documentation.
• Programmability
  This is usually handled by your FTS Representative, but sometimes minor adjustments are made by plant personnel (i.e. calibration and Inhibitor Feed Timer Adjustment).
• Dependability
  You get what you pay for! Some models are more reliable than others.
• Recording
  With emphasis on legionella and biocide applications, record-keeping is becoming more and more important. Does your unit have the capability to supply a log of your system’s operation?
• Pumps
  The adjustability of the pump. Some pumps have limited adjustment. Some pumps have only speed or stroke adjustment. Or others (i.e. 1 to 6, while other pumps have 1 to 100 speed stroke adjustments).
• Pressure Ratings
  Your pump must have a discharge rating above your system’s operating pressure.
• Pump Output
  Make sure your pump meets your needs. With a 30 GPD pump, your setting may be 10/10. If you had a 7 GPD pump, your setting would be 20/22 to yield the same feed rate. Try to get your pump to operate in the middle or upper end of its operating range.
• Bleed Valves
  Should be easily cleaned. If system collects a good deal of debris, perhaps a motorized Ball Valve would best suit your needs.
• Blowdown Controllers
  Evaluate sample time & sample interval adjustability and the reliability of controller.
• pH/ORP Controllers
  Ease of calibration. Amount of maintenance on probes.
• Installation
  Location of installation sometimes determines what type of equipment you will use (i.e. some Towers have no usable wet taps, and a drop-in probe may need to be used).

Contact FTS today for a free consultation