This guide will help diagnose and resolve issues related to elevated conductivity levels in cooling tower systems.
Check the calibration of:
- The controller conductivity probe.
- Any handheld conductivity or TDS meters used in the field.
- Take conductivity readings from multiple sample points to verify consistency.
- Ensure chemical feed injection is downstream of the conductivity probe.
Ensure flow is present through the:
- Sample stream.
- Conductivity probe housing.
- Disable all chemical feed pumps and blowdown lines before continuing to isolate the problem.
- Manually check the blowdown line to confirm proper operation.
- Ensure the system is bleeding correctly.
- Check that blowdown automation is functioning as intended.
If automation works but conductivity remains high:
- Run a mass balance calculation to verify that the blowdown rate is sufficient to offset evaporation.
If blowdown is not initiating:
- Check the controller relay for proper activation.
- Verify controller settings, including:
- Bleed lockout
- Timeouts
Check the choke valve in the blowdown line:
- Ensure it is fully open or properly adjusted.
- If no flow despite the controller calling for blowdown:
- Confirm the bleed valve is plugged in and powered.
- Test valve functionality through the controller.
If there's still no flow:
- Check for restrictions or blockages in the blowdown line.
- If none are found, the blowdown valve may require repair or replacement.
- Look for any manual valves before or after the automated valve.
- Ensure they are open and allow unrestricted exhaust.
¶ Step 10: Inspect and Clean Strainers
Check and clean strainers in:
- The sample loop
- The blowdown line
- Ensure free water flow through all filters and strainers.
With all systems verified:
- Manually bleed down the system to just below the high set point.
- Observe that the controller:
- Activates blowdown at the high set point.
- Disables blowdown when the low set point is reached.
If automated blowdown still fails to initiate after completing all steps:
- Contact your supervisor for additional troubleshooting and support.
End of Guide
This procedure is designed to help resolve elevated conductivity issues and restore proper system operation.