What is cooling circulating water treatment, and how is it carried out?

Cooling circulating water treatment is a set of techniques employed to control multiple issues in circulating cooling water systems—such as scaling, corrosion, microbial growth, and fouling. It is essential because circulating cooling water systems play a critical role in industrial production and equipment operation. Implementing appropriate cooling circulating water treatment measures is vital to maintaining the system’s operational efficiency and extending equipment service life. To address scaling in circulating cooling water systems, scale inhibitors can be dosed into the water. Scale inhibitors are chemical agents—such as polyphosphates, organic polycarboxylic phosphonates, organic phosphate esters, and polyacrylates—that are added to the circulating water to prevent or reduce scale formation. These chemicals bind with inorganic salts present in the water to form insoluble precipitates, thereby preventing scale deposition and keeping the cooling system clean and unobstructed. In addition, installing side-stream filtration equipment is also an effective cooling circulating water treatment method. Side-stream filtration helps regulate flow rate and turbidity, thus reducing fouling formation. Such filtration units typically employ microporous filters or granular media filters capable of removing suspended solids, microorganisms, and other impurities—ensuring the circulating water remains clean and transparent.

Is water treatment applied in Process Cooling Water (PCW) systems? A discussion.

Although RO (reverse osmosis) water is used in PCW systems, it would be erroneous to assume that chemical treatment is unnecessary solely because RO water is employed. PCW systems still face challenges related to corrosion, deposition, and microbial growth. (We welcome your comments below: Does your company implement water treatment for its PCW system?) Corrosion Issues Most PCW systems are semi-closed; they are not fully isolated from ambient air, allowing atmospheric CO₂ and O₂ to freely enter the system. This leads to acidification of the water and oxidation of metal components, resulting in corrosion—and potentially even pipe rupture over time. Deposition Issues Although using pure water eliminates concerns about hardness-related scaling, corrosion still occurs. Corrosion by-products—including iron oxide, copper oxide, and aluminum oxide—accumulate inside piping. Over extended operation, such deposits can clog fine-diameter tubes, impairing equipment performance and, in severe cases, causing complete machine shutdown. Microbial Issues The return-water temperature in PCW systems is highly conducive to microbial proliferation. Moreover, the semi-closed nature of the system provides ample oxygen and nutrients required for bacterial growth. Prolonged operation thus fosters the establishment of robust bacterial populations, leading to systemic problems.

Blue Activity uses bacteria to treat water in industrial cooling systems

23 hours ago

Heidelberg-based start-up Blue Activity secured €8.5 million to commercialize a bacterial solution for industrial cooling water treatment. The technology aims to replace conventional chemical treatments used in power plants and factories with microbial alternatives.

cen

2026-10-12

Blue Activity uses bacteria to treat water in industrial cooling systems

Blue Activity uses bacteria to treat water in industrial cooling systems

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