‘Staying Chill’: Effective Corrosion Protection for Cooling Systems in the Changing Seasons
April 15, 2025
Spring in the northern hemisphere means startup time for cooling water systems that support comfort cooling or other summer industrial chilling needs. The southern hemisphere is the opposite: autumn is the time to think about shutting down any cooling loops that will not be needed as the temperature drops. In either case, whether north or south of the equator, for startup or layup, Cortec® encourages facility managers and water treatment service providers to seriously think about the critical need for corrosion protection and enlist Cortec® cooling water “reptiles” to help.
Why Care About Corrosion in Cooling Water Systems?
When metal, oxygen, and water meet, it is a recipe for corrosion. That recipe is inherent in the cooling water environment, both for open evaporative systems and closed loops. Corrosion eats away at metal components, thinning the walls, increasing the potential for leaks, and reducing the longevity of the system. At the same time, corrosion products can cause clogging, and higher iron content can “poison” the water, inhibiting the desired effect of water treatment chemistry. All these problems can lead toward more downtime and maintenance and higher costs for prematurely repairing or replacing the system— which is why corrosion inhibitors should be part of a standard water treatment program during operation. The greater risk comes during startup and layup, when the normal operating water treatment program is no longer active.
Countering Corrosion Risks During Startup
Startup is a vulnerable time for cooling systems because it may take a week or longer for the system to get back to its normal operating levels of water treatment chemistry. In the meantime, the cooling tower faces higher levels of dissolved oxygen as the water is refilled. Cortec’s Cooling Loop Croc™ is an excellent way to fight corrosion during this transitional stage. Packaged in a water-soluble bag, the Cooling Loop Croc™ dissolves in the cooling tower refill water, releasing a powerful package of corrosion inhibitors to protect multiple metal types, including galvanized steel and yellow metals such as copper and brass. A vapor-phase component helps protect inaccessible and recessed surfaces, while an organic dispersant helps accelerate cleaning by making biofilm more accessible to routine biocide treatments. This combination helps give a fresh start to the cooling system without introducing unfortunate corrosion surprises.
Corrosion Protection During Seasonal Layup
On the flip-side, those preparing to shut down their cooling systems in the southern hemisphere should contemplate the risks of corrosion while the cooling tower is offline and the operating water treatment chemistry is not circulating. Traditionally, the status quo has been to shut down the cooling tower and hope for the best, whether the system is drained or remains full. A convenient and much safer approach is to apply corrosion protection specifically designed for layup. The Cooling Loop Gator® is one excellent option that only needs to be added to the water and circulated for 12-24 hours to leave behind a corrosion inhibiting film on the cooling tower internals. This film continues to protect the cooling system during wet or dry layup. It also includes Vapor phase Corrosion Inhibitors that help protect hard-to-reach spaces such as those above the water level, if a wet layup occurs.
Are You Ready for the Seasonal Change?
The changing seasons are a sign that it may be time to shut down or start up some cooling water systems. At either point, corrosion protection is critical to maximize longevity and avoid other complications from corrosion in the system. Cortec’s cooling water “reptiles” accomplish this task effectively and conveniently at these critical stages. Contact Cortec® to learn more about implementing corrosion protection to “stay chill” during seasonal cooling system layup or startup.
Keywords: corrosion protection, chiller corrosion protection, cooling tower startup, cooling tower layup, best practices for seasonal layup, Cortec, Cortec water treatment, water treatment best practices, Cooling Loop Gator
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