Cooling Tower in Curbed Area
Cooling Tower in Curbed Area
(OP)
I'm looking to install a new crossflow cooling tower within an existing curbed area. This new tower will not fit within the existing curbed area (the sides with the fill where the water flows down overhang the curb by 1 ft on each side). Outside of the curbed area is grass. Of course the water is treated, so I'm not sure if there are environmental concerns with spilling treated cooling water onto the ground. At this point, I don't know what treatment chemical is used.
I'm not terribly familiar with cooling towers. Must they be installed within a curbed area? The cooling tower vendor did not seem concerned.
I'm not terribly familiar with cooling towers. Must they be installed within a curbed area? The cooling tower vendor did not seem concerned.





RE: Cooling Tower in Curbed Area
Pacific Gas & Electric used a Cr(+6) compound and made Erin Brockovich (sp?) famous.
RE: Cooling Tower in Curbed Area
RE: Cooling Tower in Curbed Area
Two additional points:
1) You may be required to use double-walled pipe or gutters of some kind as secondary containment outside the basin to direct any leakage to the basin.
2) The volume of your basin may need to include more than just the cooling tower volume and a max. rainfall. Because of piping, it fits the definition of a 'tank system,' so you likely have to include the entire quantity of water in your system, as it is presumed to drain into the basin if the tower leaks. [at least, under Calif./EPA laws]
Again, check what treatment chemical you are using. You may be able to avoid all of this containment issue. If not, ask your local EPA or administering agency what specific secondary containment laws apply to your case; don't rely too much on outsiders' advice on legal matters.