93-02: Control of Microbiological Contaminants in Small Cooling Systems

Maintenance programs on the vast majority of cooling towers and attendant open recirculating water systems of 200 tons and smaller are owner administered. The primary means employed for control of microbiological contamination is hand dosing of commercially available biocides. Highlights of a one-year study, conducted on a variety of cooling systems at a major university, are presented which show the effectiveness of the biocides and their recommended application regimen. Laboratory and field test data are also presented for an alternative, less owner/operator dependent approach to bacteria, slime, and algae control.