FAQ’s
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).
What is “STOP”, and how can it help my company?
“STOP” is the name of the FTS Special Total Organic Program for Boiler Systems. STOP is especially designed for those companies who wish to clean out some of the iron, calcium, and phosphate deposits which may remain in your system after more traditional boiler system treatments have been used. STOP is currently used in 100’s of boiler plants.
What types of biocides do you offer for cooling towers?
FTS has a wide variety of cooling tower biocides. FTS has both non-oxidizing and oxidizing biocides. Our oxidizing biocides include, but are not limited to, Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, bromine and brominated hydantoins. To see which biocides would best suit you, Contact FTS.Contact FTS today for a free consultation
What differences are there in boiler feed and blowdown control equipment vs. the information on cooling tower equipment?
Many of the same criteria are applicable in selecting boiler feed and blowdown equipment. For boiler product feed, you must determine if you want to feed the product out of a pump/tank unit with a mixer or individually, directly from the drums. Boiler blowdown uses either a timed sample or a continuous sample mode. Control of blowdown can be through orifice plates or some type of motorized unit – a solenoid or motorized valve. Remember, these valves must be rated to withstand the pressure/temperature of the system.Contact FTS today for a free consultation