Infrared (IR) Thermography Shows How BCP 5030 Impacts Sulfur Fouling which Provides Cooling Tower Efficiency in Geothermal Power Plant Cooling Towers and therefore BCP 5030 directly improves power production and reduces PMS (preventative maintenance service) cycles.
IR Thermography. Infrared radiation (IR) is emitted by all objects. IR radiation can be detected by infrared sensors, and converted to a visible light display which reflects the variations in temperature across the surface of the object. Thermal imaging cameras use this process to produce images called thermograms.
IR Thermography Detects Channeled Flow Through Tower Fill. In the images shown below, very heavy, channeled flow of cooling water through the cooling tower fill is visible in the circled region of the photograph in Figure 1, below. The same view imaged with an IR camera (Figure 2) shows high temperatures (bright yellow color) in the region of channeled water flow (inefficient cooling – called “channeling”), compared to lower temperatures (orange, red, and some blue) on the right side of the cooling tower, which is cooler and thus shows more efficient cooling tower operations.
Sulfur Fouling, Uneven Hot Water Distribution and Poor Air – Water Mixing. Sulfur fouling in geothermal power plant evaporative cooling towers causes a variety of operational problems. Deposits in flowlines restrict flow, and can break loose to block spray nozzle orifices. External fouling of the spray nozzles can change spray patterns and droplet dispersion. Fouling in the cooling tower fill can result in channeled flow through the fill, producing zones of high and low flow, and reducing cooling efficiency. Reduced cooling efficiency can reduce condenser efficiency and limit turbine power and therefore lowers power production and in the case of newly built plants (Humeros in Mexico and Maibarara in The Philippines) caused early plant failure in a few weeks to about 2 months.
BCP 5030 Removes and Prevents Sulfur Fouling. BCP 5030 is the only known cleaner/dispersant proven to remove existing sulfur deposits which form in many geothermal cooling water systems. BCP 5030 penetrates and disperses existing sulfur deposits, and prevents the formation of new sulfur deposits, thereby restoring the cooling system to design cooling efficiency. BCP 5030 is also a powerful organic deposit cleaner and dispersant. Regular application of BCP 5030 in conjunction with an effective biocide (BCP® – Biofilm Control Program) will minimize microbiological fouling throughout the cooling system. An effective biocide is one that does not react with H2S or is neutralized in the system.
IR Thermograms Show Improved Cooling. The IR Thermograms shown below demonstrate DTEA II®’s ability to improve hot water distribution above the cooling tower fill, thereby minimizing the occurrence of hot and cold zones, and improving cooling system efficiency. Before BCP 5030 treatments, the IR Thermogram (Figure 3) shows “cold zones” (blue areas) indicating poor mixing or the 20 °C atmospheric air with the 40 °C water (bright yellow areas) from the direct contact condenser.
After 4 days of aggressive treatment with BCP 5030 the IR Thermogram (Figure 4) shows significant reduction in the size and intensity of “cold zones,” as better distribution and mixing of hot water and air allows greater transfer of heat into the exhaust air, and improved cooling system efficiency.
BCP 5030 is now sold under private label to select water treatment service companies. AMSA, Inc. provides full support for the use of its chemistry in geothermal systems based on experience since 2002. As of 2014, AMSA, Inc. markets its trademarked, patented, and patent-pending BCP 5030 technology chemistries under the AMSA registered mark BCP® and for geothermal it has specific chemistries sold under the AMSA BCP® 5000 series. AMSA, Inc. is now working to validate its chemistry to positively impact high caustic use in both splash towers and high efficiency tower fill design systems.
Contact AMSA, Inc. for information on using BCP 5030 to control and prevent sulfur fouling in your geothermal power plant evaporative cooling system.
