How does the concentration of metals in a cooling tower compare to makeup water?

The concentration of metals in a cooling tower can indeed have cycles of concentration, which refers to the process where, as water evaporates in the cooling process, the remaining water becomes increasingly concentrated with dissolved solids, including metals. In a cooling tower, make-up water is continually added to replace evaporated water and to maintain the water level.

As the water circulates through the cooling tower and undergoes evaporation, the concentration of dissolved substances, including metals, increases. The concept of cycles of concentration relates to how many times the total dissolved solids (TDS) in the circulating water have increased relative to the incoming make-up water. Typically, cooling towers can achieve concentrations of 10 to 15 times that of the make-up water, depending on the operational efficiency and water chemistry control practices in place.

This cycling process allows cooling towers to operate efficiently and is a critical factor in managing water treatment processes, ensuring that the concentration remains within permissible limits to avoid scaling, corrosion, and other issues associated with high levels of dissolved metals and other solids.