resource venture get on the map campaign outreach ... · ryznar stability index (rsi) •...
TRANSCRIPT
Cooling Tower Incentive Program
March 10, 2016Phil Paschke, Seattle Public Utilities
Andrea Martin, Cascadia Consulting Group
Roger van Gelder, P.E. Photo: http://www.hamon.com
Why a Cooling Tower Program?
Built on observations from previous technical assistance visits
Needed maintenance guidelines tailored to Seattle’s water chemistry
Conducted research on water efficiency, corrosion, and mass balance of several cooling towers in the Seattle area
Why a Cooling Tower Program?
Water usage Corrosion/scaling
Equipment life
Why Study Cooling Towers?
Why Study Cooling Towers?
Reduce peak season water bills
Reduce maintenance & repair expenses
Extend equipment life
To help Seattle-area facility managers:
Study Details
• Sept 2010 – Dec 2010
• 13 Towers (9 with coupon racks)
• 9 Facilities
Phase 1:
Phase 2:
• Aug 2011 – Nov 2011
• 17 Towers (all with coupon racks)
• 9 Facilities
Water treatment systems included- Chemical- Pulsed power- Water softening
Analysis
• pH
• Conductivity
• Dissolved silica
• Hardness (Ca+Mg)
UW Civil Engineering Lab conducted water quality analyses on:
• Alkalinity
• Chlorides
• Sulfates
Homeyer Consulting Services Inc. conducted corrosion coupon analysis
Ryznar Stability Index (RSI)
Ryznar Stability Index (RSI)
• Calculated online at www.awwa.org- RTW Corrosivity Index Calculator
• Indicates scaling vs. corrosion potential- values between 5-7 recommended
• Looked at correlation with conductivity and corrosion coupon results
Optimal Conductivity = Longer Equipment Life
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 8.0 8.5 9.0 9.5 10.0
Mil
d S
teel C
orr
os
ion
(m
py)
RSI ( 5.0 - 7.0 Generally Recommended )Slightly More Scaling Slightly More Corrosion
960 µS
725 µS
935 µS
209 µS
Phase 1 Results:
Towers Using Seattle Water
Some Treatment Types May Be Less Forgiving
3450 µS
8430 µS
14660 µS
3490 µS
7440 µS
209 µS
725 µS
935 µS
960 µS0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
4.0 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 10.0
Mil
d s
teel
co
rro
sio
n (
mp
y)
Calculated RSI(Conductivity in parentheses)
Corrosion vs. RSI
Controllers Can Get Substantially Out of Calibration
• Eight (37%) differed by over 20%
• Six (27%) were off by 40 to over 100%
Findings
Photo: http://www.corrosionpedia.com
Conductivity controllers often get substantially out of calibration
Low conductivity may lead to excessive corrosion
Regular monitoring is crucial
Recommendations
1. Re-calibrate conductivity controllers at least quarterlyUse hand-held conductivity meter and standardized calibration fluid
2. Install corrosion monitoring equipmentCoupons are cost effective and reliable Change out coupons every ~90 days
3. Work with your treatment provider to optimize conductivityChemical: 850-1,000 µSSoftening: 10,000+ µS
Key Take Aways
Improved monitoring of water quality and corrosion potential is critical
Water conservation and extended equipment life go hand in hand
From Research to Action
Cooling
Tower
Incentive
Program
(CTIP)
CTIP Objectives
Improve cooling tower maintenance practices and awareness
Prolong the life of cooling tower equipment
Conserve water
Save money
Provide support and funding for equipment to:
Why a Cooling Tower Program?
Pilot Program
Enrollment Visit Findings:
Chemical backflow during air cooled winter operation (6 gpm)
Mechanical floats with common sumps were slightly off, causing all four to fill up (5 gpm)
Saved water with enrollment
visits, even if didn’t
participate
Program To Date
Engaged nine participants
Fostered a shared understanding of maintenance practices
Assisted managers in identifying and addressing inefficiencies
Why a Cooling Tower Program?
Benefits Up to $9,000 in rebates for:
• Electronic level controllers
• Corrosion coupon racks and testing
• Conductivity-based blowdown controllers
• Non-billing meters to measure cooling tower water use
• Remote-read deduct and blowdown meters
Free equipment and support, including:
• Hand-held conductivity meter
• Conductivity and water use monitoring and troubleshooting
• Improved cooling tower oversight and understanding
Current Program
Why a Cooling Tower?
Requirements Equipment:
• Install required equipment
Behavior:
• Maintain cooling tower conductivity between 800 and 1,000 µS
• Conduct quarterly coupon testing
• Log cooling tower monitoring data weekly
• Submit to SPU monthly for a year
Current Program
Program Steps
Enrollment Visit
Participation Agreement
Equipment Bids
Equipment Installation
Verification visit
Rebate Request
Initial and Ongoing
Data Collection
and Evaluation
Data Collection
Data Submission
Real Time Data Tracking
Why a Cooling Tower?
“The SPU rebate program has some great opportunities within it. We were able to upgrade our level control from the old float valves to electrical control. We are now tracking the water quality better than we had been before. We added a set of LEDs to the controller, which allow us to tell from our office if the water level is high, low, or normal without a hike up to the roof. With the tracking, we have noticed small problems and are able to fix them before they grow out of control.”
– James Endress, Seafreeze Cold Storage
Program Outcomes
Why a Cooling Tower?
Next Steps
Recruit new participants
Monitor performance
Facilitate communication and coordination
Evaluate outcomes
Thank you!For more information on getting involved
with the Cooling Tower Incentive Program,
call or email Thu Tran at:
(206) 449 - 1137
CTIP ResourcesSaving Water Partnershiphttp://www.savingwater.org/Businesses/CommercialIndustrial/index.htm