Learning the Language of Microbiological Control

Key Terms for Water Treatment Novices

Learning the Language of Microbiological Control

Water treatment specialists can forget that their clients may not understand the technical terms used in our industry. The language of microbiological control can be particularly confusing. To help establish a common working vocabulary, it’s important to define some key terms. Let’s get started!

Overcoming Cooling Water Challenges in Plastics Manufacturing

How To Have an Effective Water Treatment Program

Overcoming Cooling Water Challenges in Plastics Manufacturing

Plastics manufacturing is a cooling water intensive process with production efficiency and product quality directly tied to effective water treatment. Increased cycle time, high defect rates, unscheduled downtime, mold damage, and high maintenance costs can all result from water system problems including corrosion, deposits, and biofouling.  

Dip Slides vs. Lab Testing

The Key Differences and Similarities

Dip Slides vs. Lab Testing

Monitoring bacteria levels in cooling water systems is vital to the operating life, efficiency, and functionality of a well-run system.  Unmonitored microbiological activity can lead to deposits, corrosion, blockages, downtime, increased energy usage, and possibly even disease.  There are many variables in field versus laboratory bacteria testing that need to be considered in order to take the proper course of action when required.  While differences are expected between these two testing methods, both offer various advantages.  Ultimately, trends over time and after specific events offer the most clarity.

Whether testing in a lab or in the field, results from microbiological water analysis must be dependable and accurate to maintain proper system control. A highly trained Chem-Aqua water treatment professional can help to maintain the right system chemistry to ensure that a facility’s systems remain optimal and compliant. Check out this infographic to learn more about the differences between field and lab testing.

How PTSA Tracers Simplify Cooling Water Treatment

A More Accurate and Safer Process

  • 17 April 2018
  • Author: Jerold Murray
  • Number of views: 16847
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How PTSA Tracers Simplify Cooling Water Treatment

Scale and corrosion in cooling tower systems can reduce heat transfer efficiency and cause unexpected equipment failures. While scale and corrosion inhibitors added to the water supply can minimize these occurrences, maintaining treatment levels within the control limits necessary to optimize performance and minimize costs can be a challenge. Let’s take a look at a more accurate and safer process for controlling inhibitor levels over traditional methods.

Don’t Send Your Air-Handler Condensate Water (and Money) Down the Drain!

  • 20 March 2018
  • Author: Pat Guccione
  • Number of views: 6927
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Don’t Send Your Air-Handler Condensate Water (and Money) Down the Drain!

Facilities are under continuous pressure to reduce costs and operate in a more environmentally responsible manner.  In many locations, the reduced availability and increased cost of water are making water conservation a much more attractive goal than in the past. More and more facilities are being limited on how much water can be used; while there are alternatives to oil and gas, there is no substitute to water. Thus, the economic and environmental payback on reducing water usage is greater than ever.

Why Should You Consider a Career in Industrial Water Treatment?

A Closer Look into the Industry

Why Should You Consider a Career in Industrial Water Treatment?

How many careers can you think of that are rewarding, virtually recession proof, and give you exclusive behind-the-scenes access to a variety of fascinating locations? How about careers that also offer multiple options for personal advancement, a supportive employer, and opportunities to improve the environment? There certainly aren’t many, but here is one that might surprise you — industrial water treatment. Water is the lifeblood of many, if not most, facilities and the literal life blood of society; no one can survive without water. Let’s take a closer look at what industrial water treatment is, why it is important, and why you should consider a career in this vital, dynamic industry.

Why Dip Slides and Laboratory Bacteria Testing May Not Agree

Diving into How These Tests Differ

  • 27 February 2018
  • Author: Allan Browning
  • Number of views: 8911
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Why Dip Slides and Laboratory Bacteria Testing May Not Agree

Dip slides and laboratory plate counts are both used to monitor total aerobic bacteria levels in cooling water systems. However, the results sometimes don’t agree. This invariably raises the question “Which one’s right?”  The answer may be “Both.” To understand why dip slides and laboratory bacteria testing can give different, equally valid results requires a deeper dive into what these tests actually measure, and the factors that influence the results.

Protecting Off-Line Cooling Water Equipment

Best Practices to Prevent Corrosion

  • 20 February 2018
  • Author: Chem-Aqua, Inc
  • Number of views: 7073
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Protecting Off-Line Cooling Water Equipment

 

Periodically, it is necessary to take cooling systems offline due to seasonal cycles, maintenance, lead-lag configurations, etc.  An offline cooling system can experience a multitude of problems, though, including microbiological growth and corrosion.  This can lead to reduced equipment life, increased operational and utility costs, and increased maintenance costs.

 

Facility managers are faced with the unappealing options of wasting money, needlessly running a system or repairing a system that sits unprotected too long.  Luckily, there are options available to mitigate these concerns and problems.

Active Chiller Approach Temperature Monitoring Leads to Increased Operating Life and Efficiency

  • 23 January 2018
  • Author: Chem-Aqua, Inc
  • Number of views: 61121
  • 0 Comments
Active Chiller Approach Temperature Monitoring Leads to Increased Operating Life and Efficiency

In many facilities, chiller and condenser systems are the largest energy consuming component of the plant. Operating a chiller at its peak performance saves energy, as well as maintenance costs, and can keep the facility’s loads properly maintained. Chiller performance varies significantly with operating conditions, and any opportunity to improve efficiency and extended equipment life is greatly desired by any facility manager. One major indicator of chiller performance is the historical values of the chiller approach temperatures. These temperatures show the heat transfer efficiency and can be a precursor to a potential issue in the system. With proper, routine monitoring of approach temperatures, the chiller’s operating life and operating efficiency are greatly increased.

Keep Cooling Costs Down with Clean Heat Exchangers

How Chem-Aqua Helps Protect your Cooling Water System

  • 16 January 2018
  • Author: Chem-Aqua, Inc
  • Number of views: 6821
  • 0 Comments
Keep Cooling Costs Down with Clean Heat Exchangers

The chiller, recirculating pumps, and fans are the main energy consumers in water-cooled air conditioning systems, and chiller efficiency can have a significant impact on the amount of energy required to produce a ton of refrigeration. Effective water treatment keeps the evaporation and condenser heat exchange surfaces clean and corrosion-free. That means the water is flowing and heat is transferred such that the chiller is optimally efficient and energy costs minimized.

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