When Do You Replace a Water-Cooling Tower Fill?
A cooling tower fill is designed to make sure that most water has contact to air in a longer duration. Cooling tower fills come in different styles and each has a different level of efficiency. No matter what you have in your cooling tower, over time, the fills will begin to deteriorate and will stop functioning, no matter what your repair and maintenance program is. What makes it difficult is that the fills are sometimes forgotten and overlooked in the maintenance check-up. If your company does not have the necessary expertise to remove and replace the fills, it is recommended that you contact companies that provide replacement services like the ICTower, and other local companies.
Types of Fills
There are two types of fills: film fill and splash fill. The film fill is made of steel sheets shaped in a corrugated pattern to provide narrow pathways for the water. It can expose a greater volume of water in a given packed area. However, it is prone to debris and blockage. Splash film has parallel splash bars that cause the water to splash, allowing it to cool down. This system still works even if there is no sufficient initial water distribution, unlike the film fill.
Signs that you need to replace your cooling tower fill
- There is a calcium build-up
The calcium, with other organic minerals from the hard water, will build up in the fill that may cause blockages. When the fill is clogged and blocked, the water will have difficulty in passing through and this makes your system exert more energy in trying to provide the same productivity as before. However, when left unattended, this will cause further damage. It needs to be regularly cleaned to remove dirt and debris.
- There is an increased energy consumption
Because of the blockage, the system needs to exert more effort to cool down the water because the blockage is preventing the system to achieve full efficiency. More energy means more electricity consumption. So, if your electricity bill has increased, check up your fill.
- There is a damaged on the support grids
Support grids are the elements that provide support to hold your entire fill. When they break or sag, your fill will not hold its position correctly. When this happens, your fill will not function to its optimum efficiency. Damaged support grids can cause your fill to warp, sag, or even fall out of place. When you notice this, perform an immediate repair or contact a company that provides repair services.
- Sagging or warped fill packs
This happens when your fill has worn out because of age or because of the poor quality of materials used. It can also be caused by deterioration over time. You can never fix sagged and warped fills; it needs a complete replacement.
- Uneven water distribution
Sagged and warped fill can cause uneven water distribution. Aside from being warped and sagged, clogged and blocked fills also cause an uneven distribution of water. So, when you notice this, check your fills.
Conclusion
There is a lot of cooling tower maintenance that you need to do on a regular basis, and doing what has been mentioned can increase the functionality of your equipment and prolong its life.