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Cooling Tower Inspection And Repairs

We offer general cooling tower maintenance and services to industrial clients. Cooling towers require regular preventative maintenance to ensure that they deliver the thermal duties they were designed for. We can assist with cooling tower cleaning and servicing, which includes, but is not limited to the cleaning and / or replacement of water distribution piping, water distribution sprayers and nozzles, cooling tower drift eliminators, cooling tower air inlet louvres, cooling tower fill, etc. Mechanical services would typically include the refurbishment or replacement of impellers, supplying of electric motors, gearboxes, shafts, and v-belts.

Often factory assembled package cooling towers, along with some field erected cooling towers, comprise of several GRP (glass reinforced plastic or fibreglass) components. We can assist with any GRP related cooling tower repairs or work.


A Typical Inspection Involves The Following :







Tower Casing



Look for leaks, cracks, holes or general deterioration, including air leaks between adjoining panels. Make sure that hardware attaching the casing to the structure is tight and in good condition. Inspect steel casing for corrosion or scale buildup and examine wood casing for signs of wood decay, including soft rot or plywood delamination. Look for evidence of brittleness or cracking in fiberglass casing. Make sure that access doors are in good working order and that access doors are shut tightly when tower is in operation. If your budget allows, consider replacing ACB (asbestos cement board) casing immediately, regardless of its condition. In handling and/or disposing of ACB or ASB material, it is recommended that you contact the Federal Agency, OSHA, EPS, as well as the local and state agencies for information concerning specific state regulations and requirements for handling and the disposal of asbestos wastes.

Structure


Inspect the structure of a steel tower for evidence of corrosion—particularly any loss of metal. Spot check the tightness of bolted joints. Look closely for signs of corrosion near welded joints on galvanized steel towers. Look for signs of wood deterioration, including throughcracks, fractures, or decay in wood members. Inspect wood members both visually and by tapping with a hammer. A dull, low pitch sound indicates softness, while a higher pitched sharp sound indicates good solid wood. If you find soft spots, carefully probe with an ice pick or similar device. Pay particular attention to the wood around steel or cast iron fasteners and connectors, as well as the bottom of columns. Spot check the tightness of bolted structural joints. Inspect joint connectors for evidence of corrosion or other signs of deterioration. Check the assembled joints of a fiberglass or plastic tower to be sure that hardware is tight and in good condition. Look for evidence of tearing or cracking in the structure.


Fan Deck




Check the general condition of the fan deck material, noting any steel corrosion or wood decay. Make sure the fan deck support members are in good condition and that connections between the fan deck and the supports are tight. Look for air leaks between adjoining fan deck panels. Loose fan deck overlays are a tripping hazard. Be sure that overlays are properly attached and that the overlay material is in good condition. Consider replacing ACB overlays immediately, regardless of condition.


Stairway


Look for evidence of wood decay or steel corrosion. Check for loose treads, handrails, or deteriorated stringers. Make sure all bolted connections are tight and that hardware is in good condition.

Ladder and Handrail


Check general condition of material and make sure that all connections between the ladder and the tower are tight and in good condition. Check the welds on steel and aluminum ladders.

Interior Walkway


Look for broken or deteriorated treads and rails on wood or fiberglass walkways. Inspect steel walkways for evidence of corrosion. Check the tightness of connections between the walkway and the tower structure. Pay particular attention to any damage or deterioration that may pose a potential safety hazard for operating and maintenance personnel.

Cold Water Basin


Check for excessive buildup of sludge and accumulated debris that can provide an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Check condition of sump, sump screen, and anti-cavitation device (if one is used). Sump screen should be free of trash. Note particularly any corrosion or loss of metal in cold water basin components. Inspect wood, steel and fiberglass basins carefully for any signs of leaks or breakdown of sealing material.


When inspecting stairways, be sure to look for evidence of wood decay or steel corrosion.



Distribution Basin



Check for deterioration of the basic material. Check wood for decay, and check for corrosion of steel. Look for leaks between adjoining panels. Inspect the integrity of basin support members. Check tightness of bolted joints in steel or fiberglass basins.

Piping


Inspect iron pipe for corrosion and loss of coating material. Examine all supports to ensure their integrity for continued service. Spot check for leaks and for tightness of bolted joints. Look for signs of deterioration on PVC or fiberglass pipe.

Basin Flow-Control Valves


Inspect valve components for corrosion or signs of wear. Operate valve manually through its full range of travel and reset the valves to balance water flow to all basin sections.

Spray Nozzles


Check for clogging or signs of internal wear. If necessary, temporarily remove a nozzle and disassemble it to look for internal clogging. Be sure that all nozzle components (such as removable splash plates) are in place and working properly. Look for any loss of material resulting from corrosion or erosion. Check for adequate connection to branch pipe or distribution basin floor.

Fill (Packing)


Fill comes in two general types: splash and film.

Splash fill consists of wood or plastic bars in various shapes, supported in a fixed spacing and orientation, usually using a wire or fiberglass grid. Ceramic bricks are another type of splash fill. For each splash fill, check the condition of the splash bars themselves. Look for sagging, broken or decaying splash bars or excessive buildup of scale. Look also for fallen or misplaced splash bars. Be sure that all supporting grids are in place and evenly spaced in the tower. Check the coating on steel grids, the condition of the welds on stainless wire grids, and the general condition of fiberglass grids. If a section of grid shows excessive deterioration, it should be replaced. Also, examine the tower members that support the grid itself. In the event you need to order parts, note the following:


Film fill consists of multiple parallel formed sheets, either hung in the tower or resting on fixed support members. Check for buildup of scale, algae, or other contaminants on the surface of the sheets. Also check for erosion, sagging, torn sheets, or evidence of ice damage. Check the condition of support members. Note the sheet material and spacing in case you plan to order parts. In either case, consider replacing asbestos fill immediately. You'll benefit from improved performance that modern high-efficiency fill designs offer.




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Roping The Way Across The World