Installation and Maintenance

Programmed maintenance means that a scheduled shut down will need to be planned for all cooling equipment once every three months for approximately 4 hours and one every six months for 8 hours. This may vary depending on tower size and location.

This schedule has been designed to comply with the requirements of AS3666 Part 2 Operation and Maintenance. Only suitably trained personnel are authorised to carry out these works. This schedule does not cover the application of chemicals into the system for microbial control. A specialist water treatment company should be engaged to carry this out.

Refurbishments

1. New velocity pressure recovery fan stacks save energy

Velocity recovery fan stacks reduce the velocity pressure of the discharge air. By reducing velocity pressure and re-pitching the fans to deliver design air flow, fan horsepower can be reduced up to 25%. Conversely, more capacity can be obtained from an existing cooling tower with no increase in power consumption.

2. New high efficiency fans conserve energy

Fans with wide chord blades are the most efficient axial flow fans available specifically designed for cooling tower use. Higher efficiency yields more air pressure and flow capability while using less horsepower.

3. PVC film fill provides same capacity with reduced horsepower

Because of the high heat transfer efficiency of waveformed PVC film fill versus wood splash bar fill, horsepower reductions of 20 to 40% often can be realized. Conversely, capacity increases in the range of 20% can be achieved with no increase in power consumption.

4. New PVC drift eliminators reduce fan horsepower

Rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) drift eliminators reduce drift losses and pressure drop. Low air pressure drop allows maximum air flow at minimum fan horsepower.

5. New fibreglass casing reduces maintenance

Fire retardant corrugated FRP provides the flexibility, strength and environmental acceptability to renew appearance. This material is impervious to biological or chemical attach, reducing maintenance costs.

Wide vertical spacing reduces the air pressure drop and fan horsepower requirements. Extra wide fibreglass louvers minimize water leakage and splashout.

6. Variable Speed Drives

Variable speed drives have the ability to reduce energy consumption by 50%, thus reducing the carbon footprint of your cooling tower. Slow start up speeds also reduce wear and tear on motors, coupling, gearboxes and fans.

Replacements and Refurbishments

CTMS is the most experienced cooling tower company in the pacific region. You can be assured that your project is in safe hands when using CTMS. CTMS has been operating since 1985 and has carried out over 50 million dollars in cooling tower work in that period.

We specialize in change over and maintenance work that requires minimal impact on the building or service and must be completed in a predetermined time line. CTMS carries out project across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Scope from Laundries to Power Plants.

The hardest decision is whether to replace or refurbish.

Equipment replacement

Air-cooled chillers

Water-cooled chillers may be replaced with air-cooled models.

Benefits to air-cooled chillers include:

• Do not use cooling towers, eliminating the condenser water loop
• Do not consume water
• Do not regularly discharge chemicals and water to the sewerage system, as there is no need for a bleed system.
• Carry no risk of Legionnaires disease.
• Require little water treatment other than ensuring the chilled water corrosion control chemicals are periodically checked
• Are easier and cheaper to maintain than water-cooled chillers as they do not require an annual clean of the condenser water box. Small (rated less than 500kW) chillers may have lower operating costs.

Disadvantages of air-cooled systems include:

• Comparatively more expensive to purchase
• Occupy greater floor space
• Can have a significantly greater electrical demand
• Are noisier, bigger and heavier
• Have lower heat transfer efficiency: on very hot days their performance may be compromised and they may have heavy electricity demands.

Geothermal systems

Geothermal systems make use of the fairly constant temperature of the ground. Instead of using a cooling tower, cooling water is passed through a series of long loops buried deep in the ground. The unwanted heat is passed to the soil and rocks, where it dissipates. Since this is a closed loop system, there is little or no water usage. Initially it is more expensive than conventional cooling systems, however because the ground temperature is fairly constant and relatively low, it is possible to achieve very high efficiencies. They are low noise, have almost no Legionella risk and are relatively low maintenance. However, they require drilling bores, which is impractical in built-up areas. Water source geothermal systems directly or indirectly use underground aquifers. Direct use systems draw water from the ground, pass it through a heat exchanger and return it to its source. Indirect systems use closed pipe work loops that pass through the aquifer. Indirect systems are often comparable in cost to a conventional water-cooled system.

Ice and chilled water storage systems

Using ice storage and chilled water storage systems overnight can save water and considerably cut operating costs by using electricity at off-peak rates. Capital costs can also be reduced because it is not necessary to install large chillers, etc. to deal specifically with peak loads on only perhaps 10 days of the year.. These systems potentially save 15 per cent in electrical energy. Ice systems take up less space than chilled water systems. Their installation is dependent upon skilled engineering design and manufacture. For this reason they are generally used in large installations. Seek advice from qualified professionals at the design stage.

Sea or River Water cooling

When a building is close to a large water source such as the sea, river or lake, there may be an opportunity to take advantage of the natural heat sink. Several buildings in Sydney, including the Sydney Opera House, make use of the harbour for cooling purposes. Some of the newer buildings in Melbourne’s Docklands use sea cooling. Issues to consider include the choice of metals where heat exchanges come into contact with highly corrosive seawater, macro-organisms such as mussels that can foul heat transfer equipment, and limits of chemicals such as chlorine that can be discharged to the water body. Initial costs are normally higher than a conventional water-cooled system; however this may be outweighed by overall benefits.

HVAC

Cooling Tower Mechanical Services, one of the leading Cooling Tower and Process Cooling services companies in Australia. CTMS was established in Queensland during 1985 and has led the way, not only in improving the quality of refurbishments, replacements and new construction, though also setting the standard for others to follow with innovation and technology.

The services that are provided extend from small process and air-conditioning applications, to large scale Petrochemical and Power generation facilities. CTMS also leads the way in providing safe access platform designs for all Cooling Tower installations. Every consideration is given to the service technician and chemical technician, thus ensuring full compliance to AS3666. All persons involved with maintenance, installation or refurbishment of Cooling Towers and associated equipment should contact Cooling Tower Mechanical Services to ensure a quality run project.

CTMS has carried out hundreds of mechanical services for the HVAC industry and prides itself in the safety and technical assistance given to the HVAC industry including

• New cooling towers
• Replacement cooling towers turn key project
• Maintenance programmes
• Cleaning
• Fill replacements and efficiency improvements
• Inspections and audits
• Bearing changes
• Air handling unit maintenance
• Heavy motor change over
• Car park exhaust replacement
• Welding
• Pipe installation