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Cooling tower operation and maintenance procedures

2021-09-27View Original

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The correct operating methods and requirements for cooling towers are: (1) The number of cooling towers in use should match the number of units that are running. (2) Close the inlet and outlet valves of the cooling tower that does not have a fan in operation, to prevent cooling water from flowing through the unused tower. (3) Temporarily added cooling tower fans. After turning off that fan, be sure not to forget to close the inlet and outlet valves of the tower. (4) Check the operation of the cooling tower after it is started up at the beginning of each shift. If it is found that cooling water is flowing through a cooling tower whose fans are not running, the inlet and outlet valves of that tower should be closed promptly, and the water level in the water tray should be adjusted. This applies to the condensers, evaporators, and screw chillers in air conditioning systems. Some of these units are equipped with electric valves, but such valves are prone to failure and malfunction. Therefore, inspections should be strengthened. Ensuring that the system operates properly and correctly during the cooling process, which is actually a heat exchange process. Cooling tower maintenance: The maintenance process for cooling towers is divided into three stages, namely cleaning and maintenance after shutdown, inspection and adjustment before startup, and routine inspections during normal operation. (1) Cleaning and maintenance after the cooling tower is shut down 1. Sprinkler system ① Check the main water pipes, branch pipes, and nozzles of the cooling tower for any damage or looseness, and repair or secure them promptly. Thoroughly clean the dirt inside the water distribution pipes and nozzles to ensure smooth flow of water and even distribution of water from the nozzles. ②Thoroughly clean the cooling tower water basin and the outlet filter screen to prevent scale and debris from accumulating and blocking the pipes. After cleaning, the drain valve should be opened to release all water from the tray, to prevent freezing damage. ③Check whether the water tray and tower base are leaking; if there are leaks, apply sealant promptly. 2. Cooling system: ① Clean all the heat exchange materials (fillers) in the cooling tower, thoroughly removing scale and dirt from the surface of these materials as well as from the gaps between them, to ensure that they remain clean. Repair and replacement are carried out when disassembling and assembling the heat exchange material. Be careful to arrange them tightly during loading, without any gaps. ②Clean the water shield and sound-dampening mat to remove dirt. Repair and replace the damaged parts. The water barriers should be stacked tightly to prevent water from seeping through. Fill the cooling tower with water and check for leaks (especially at the connections of the tower); if there are leaks, replace the seals. 3. Transmission system: ① Motor: Check whether the motor’s wiring terminals are in good condition, whether the motor rotates properly, ensure that the motor’s wiring box is sealed, lubricate the motor bearings, and repaint the motor housing. In the event of a long-term shutdown, it is recommended that the owner run the motor for at least 3 hours per month to keep the motor coils dry and to lubricate the bearing surfaces. ②Reducer: Check whether the reducer rotates properly; if there are any abnormal noises, replace the reducer bearings immediately. ③Belt, pulley: Adjust the set screw, loosen the belt, and extend its service life. Check whether the belt is damaged or cracked; if necessary, it is recommended that the owner replace it with a new one. Check the pulley and the levelness of the motor frame; tighten any loose bolts, and replace those that are corroded. ④Fan: Clean the dirt from the surface of the fan blades, check the angle of the blades as well as the gap between the blades and the fan casing, and make adjustments if necessary. 4. Tower appearance: ① Thoroughly clean the wind chamber, tower, and inlet guide vanes to ensure a clean and attractive appearance. ②Retighten the bolts in all areas and replace the rusty ones. ③Inspect the exterior of the tower for any damage or cracks, and repair them promptly. ④Check whether the vertical joints in the tower wall panels are tight; apply glue for repair if necessary. 5. Cooling tower accessories ① Check the automatic water replenishment device – whether the float is damaged and functioning properly. Fix or replace any abnormalities promptly upon discovery. ②Re-tighten the bolts of the cooling tower’s metal components, replace the rusted bolts, and repaint the corroded metal parts. ③Inspect the inlet and outlet pipes, as well as the flanges on the tower for any damage or leaks. Once the cooling tower has been cleaned and maintained, it is recommended that the owner use colored shielding cloth to cover and seal the tower’s air chamber, in order to prevent debris from entering the tower. (II) Inspection and adjustment before starting the cooling tower: ① Remove the obstruction in the air chamber, adjust the set screws, and fine-tune the tension of the belt. ②Carefully check whether the motors and reducers in the cooling tower’s transmission system are operating properly. ③Inspect and clean the dirt from the water basin and filters of the cooling tower; drain water to check the condition of the water basin as well as the airtightness at the base of the tower. Adjust the position of the float so that the water level in the basin meets the required standards. ④Adjust the fan blade angle and measure the motor current to bring it within the optimal operating parameters. ⑤Adjust the inlet and outlet valves of the cooling tower to achieve the required water flow rate in the cooling tower. It is required to be in operation mode for proper startup. (III) Inspection and monitoring of cooling towers during operation: ① Regularly inspect the cooling towers that are in use, seek feedback from users, and understand their usage conditions. ② Carefully measure technical parameters such as the inlet and outlet water temperatures of the cooling towers as well as the current consumption of the motors. ③Carefully check the operating condition of transmission devices such as motors and reducers. Check the actual operating conditions of the water distribution system. ④If a fault is detected, address it immediately.

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