COOLING WATER TREATMENT IN MITIGATION OF HEAT EXCHANGER FOULING AND CORROSION.

Process heat is generated or applied in virtually every type of chemical and allied industry. Process heat removal by heat exchange using cooling water is universally practiced. In view of the complexities involved and the implementation of the U. S. EPA wastewater effluent discharge limitation guidelines, the use of cooling water for process heat removal must be carefully evaluated and controlled to mitigate heat exchanger fouling and corrosion. An evaluation study is presented in this paper which includes mechanistic evaluations of waterside fouling and corrosion together with available inhibition technologies. A discussion of the current state of the the art in cooling water treatment based on the Langelier-Ryznar technique is presented. Recommendations are advanced for the important water treatment monitoring and maintenance parameters.