01-11: Removal of Copper During Start-up of Cooling Tower

A new 100,000 gpm counter flow cooling tower was started up in July, 2000. The author found that very actual data existed on the amount of copper, chromate or arsenic that would be expected during the initial flushing of the new treated wood. The cooling tower manufacturers provided empirical data that served as a basis for all calculations and information that was provide to the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC). This paper discusses the environmental requirements that set the parameters for the start-up, the actual data that was taken during the initial washing of the wetted section of the treated wood during start-up and the methods used to meet environmental regulations and project goals for system start-up.