UV treatment of cooling tower water saves money

Danish packaging manufacturer Styropack A/S has made significant savings since installing a Berson UV disinfection system to treat water in its open cooling tower

Danish packaging manufacturer Styropack A/S has made significant savings since installing a Berson UV disinfection system to treat water in its open cooling tower.

The cooling water is used for compressors, production equipment and a steam boiler.

Before switching to UV the company had been experiencing problems with the water cooling system.

Firstly, the lamellae of the cooling towers were becoming fouled with organic material and bacteria and needed thorough cleaning every six months - a time consuming and costly process.

The reduced efficiency of the cooling tower lamellae also meant the tower ventilators were often operating at maximum power, resulting in increased power costs.

In addition, there was increased consumption of make-up water in the plant.

Styropack A/S initially tried to solve the problem of the lamella fouling by using a costly biocide.

Correct dosing was difficult to calculate, however, resulting in periodic overdosing.

The company then decided to carry out a trial with a UV disinfection system, which had an immediate beneficial effect.

Following consultation with HOH A/S, the Berson Danish distributor, a bersonInLine system with a bersonMultiWave, medium pressure UV lamp was installed.

The bersonMultiWave lamp destroys the microorganism DNA, RNA and enzymes, ensuring permanent, irreversible inactivation.

A UV sensor monitors the activity of the UV lamp, altering the UV dose accordingly.

In addition, an automatic wiper keeps the quartz sleeve surrounding the UV lamp clean.

The only regular maintenance necessary is changing the UV lamp once a year, a simple process which is carried out by on-site staff in a few minutes.

Since the UV system was installed, just over a year ago, the cooling tower has only needed servicing as part of routine maintenance procedures annually.

The tower ventilators now also run at the minimum level and there is no need for biocide dosing.

Costs have therefore been dramatically reduced and the water in the open cooling basin is now so clear you can see the bottom.

Based in the Netherlands, Berson UV-techniek is a world leader in UV technology for a wide range of applications, including process, waste, drinking and swimming pool water treatment, dechlorination, ozone removal and TOC reduction.

The company has over 30 years of experience in the design, development, manufacture and distribution of UV systems worldwide.

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