14-06: Cooling Water Microbial Control Impacts Overall Plant Performance

Microbial inhibition, as part of a robust cooling water treatment program, presents a special challenge because of the variability in makeup water sources, plant processes, and discharge permits.  Failure to maintain a proper microbial inhibition program will affect your bottom line as a result of heat rate degradation.  This paper discusses how the plant designed and implemented a trial to determine the costs and effects of improved microbial inhibition practices.  Results of the trial, as well as how the results were used to justify the costs for new feed equipment, will also be discussed.