PROCESS ANALYTICS

Monitoring cooling towers

Monitoring Cooling Towers

Cooling towers are used in a range of industrial sectors for diverting process heat from cooling circuits.

Mineral deposits and corrosion reduce efficiency and lead to the premature wear of system components. In addition, deposits of lime or corrosion provide a platform for organic material and biofilm. Infiltration by Legionella bacteria, for example, can lead to the contamination of system components and serious health risks. To avoid expensive unplanned downtime, cost-intensive systems must be carefully maintained.

Chemistry

Energy

Reliable analysis measurements prevent downtime

In order to prevent mineral deposits on system components, acids (e.g. sulfuric acid) are added to the water in cooling towers to regulate its pH value. They neutralize or dissolve the alkaline calcium carbonate in cooling water, preventing lime deposits that adversely affect heat exchange and the efficiency of the cooling system in the process. By monitoring pH regulation with digital Memosens sensors such as SE555, corrosive effects can be minimized and process breaches detected early on.

Oxidizing agents supplied in exact quantities by the dosing units in the cooling tower ensure that water and pipe surfaces are disinfected. In the process, ORP sensors measure the oxidation/reduction potential as a means of monitoring the concentration of the oxidizing agent (e.g. sodium hypochlorite) in the water. The quantity of oxidizing agent required for complete disinfection is determined on this basis. The SE565 Memosens ORP sensor was designed for hygienic processes and sterile applications. Due to its high precision and measurement repeatability, it is used for applications like this.

The blowdown process is used to reduce the salinity of cooling systems by discharging mineral-enriched cooling water and supplying water with a low salt content to the system. Automated blowdown requires conductivity measurements that indicate the water’s salinity.

Made of corrosion-proof material, Memosens sensor SE630 provides high-precision measurements of conductive conductivity up to 20 mS/cm. The sensor’s robust design ensures its long service life, even in high pressure and temperature ranges.

Since most conventional analog sensors are not waterproof, using them in moist environments such as cooling towers presents a challenge. This is why analog product manufacturers encapsulate the connection cable in the sensor. As a result, users must remove the cable at the transmitter when replacing sensors. Memosens sensors feature contactless, 100% moisture-resistant measured value transmission, eliminating that effort. Because the sensor coupling transmits the data between the sensor and cable inductively, the sensor can also be connected under water.

Memosens technology permits sensor pre-calibration under ideal conditions in the laboratory: even untrained personnel can replace these sensors on site. Memosens coupling are available for pH/ORP, dissolved oxygen and conductive conductivity sensors. The analyzers in the Stratos series are the recommended transmitters.

Return on Investment

With Memosens technology, you can reduce the time and costs involved in maintaining and servicing your measuring loops:
By using Memosens sensors SE555, SE565 and SE630 in conjunction with transmitters in the Stratos series, you will significantly minimize calibration and sensor replacement frequency and the number of sensors in stock. At the same time, simplified maintenance will reduce personnel costs.
Automated monitoring and controlling of the chemical processes in the cooling circuit will not only reduce cost-intensive corrosion damage, but also reduce the quantity of water and chemicals it requires for servicing. This prolongs the service life of the entire system.

Matching Products

Product number:

SE555X/1-NMSN

SE565 ORP Sensor | Memosens | 120 mm | Ex | For hygienic processes and sterile applications

Product number:

SE565X/1-NMSN

SE630 Conductivity Sensor | 2 Graphite electrodes | Memosens | NPT 1 | Measurement of conductivities up to 20 mS/cm

Product number:

SE630N-N1MSYB0M

Stratos Multi E471N Multiparameter Transmitter | Memosens/Analog Sensors | 2-Channel |EtherNet/IP | 2x 4…20 mA Outputs

Product number:

E471N.010

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