At this time of year, it is clear that many of our customers are carefully planning the intricate choreography of cleaning tanks and cooling towers during the summer months.
Maintaining cleanliness in the cooling system and its water is crucial to prevent or manage the risk of Legionella exposure. As outlined in HSG 274 Part 1, the most effective method to clean and disinfect cooling towers involves removing the cooling tower pack. This pack constitutes the majority of the wetted surface area within the system and is a primary site for the accumulation of scale, debris, and biofilm.
A cooling system should be cleaned and disinfected whenever necessary i.e. when it is noted that the system is contaminated with scale, biofilm or other contamination although with the potential disruption caused to processes it is still common for routine cleans to be carried out 3- 6 monthly or during planned shutdowns so that down time is kept to a minimum.
When it is not feasible to remove the pack from the cooling tower, in situ foam cleaning can be performed. For this purpose, we recommend our PackCleanse range of products, designed specifically to clean cooling towers in place by dissolving scale deposits and disinfecting the surfaces. For systems that are lightly scaled and fouled, this method can replace the need for pack removal, extending the lifespan of the packing and preventing damage that can result from removing the pack.
Benefits of PackCleanse
- Eliminates the need for an air supply.
PackCleanse products do not require an external air supply for application, simplifying the cleaning process and making it more accessible in various settings.
- No need to remove cooling tower pack, saving time and reducing potential damage.
The use of PackCleanse Foamgel and Foamgel Safe eliminates the need to remove the cooling tower pack, saving time and reducing the risk of damage to the pack during removal and reinstallation.
- Good pack penetration.
PackCleanse products ensure thorough penetration of the cooling tower pack. The high-cling foam effectively reaches and cleans all surfaces, including hard-to-reach areas where scale, debris, and biofilm are likely to accumulate.
- Easily applied.
The products are designed for easy application using a foam lance fitted to a jet washer. This method allows for consistent and efficient distribution of the cleaning agents, ensuring optimal coverage and cleaning performance. By observing the foam coverage, operators can ensure that all surfaces are adequately treated. This is particularly important in complex cooling tower systems where certain areas might be difficult to reach.
- Decreases downtime.
PackCleanse significantly reduces downtime associated with maintenance. This keeps cooling towers operational for longer periods, enhancing productivity and efficiency.
- Removes potential hazards from aerosols.
The high-cling foam minimizes the generation of aerosols during the cleaning process, reducing potential hazards to workers and the environment.
- Cleaning effect can be monitored visually.
The cleaning process with PackCleanse products allows for visual monitoring of the cleaning effect. It is recommended though that endoscopic examination is used to check the cleanliness of less accessible areas of the pack.
The PackCleanse cleaning system effectively addresses light to moderately fouled packs by combining the disinfecting power of chlorine dioxide with the cleaning power of a weakly acidic surfactant mixture. The system generates a high-cling foam that is applied to surfaces under low pressure. This procedure, based on PackCleanse Foamgel, is intended for routine cleaning of slightly scaled systems, rather than for descaling severely fouled towers.
A foam lance fitted to a jet washer is essential for generating foam with the appropriate consistency to ensure successful application. This method is designed to replace the pack removal step in the tower cleaning process when removing the tower packing is impractical. While removing the pack for cleaning is considered best practice by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), alternative cleaning methods may be utilized when practical difficulties prevent pack removal. The efficacy of these alternative cleaning procedures must be verified to ensure they meet the necessary standards
Our PackCleanse range comprises the following products.
PackCleanse Foamgel: This product is formulated with phosphoric acid and a foaming agent that is tolerant to both acid and chlorine dioxide. It is designed for routine cleaning of slightly scaled systems, effectively dissolving scale deposits and disinfecting surfaces. However, it is not intended for descaling heavily fouled towers.
PackCleanse Foamgel Safe: This variant is a low-acid version of the Foamgel, making it suitable for use in systems where corrosion may be a concern. It is ideal for systems with no apparent scale or where components are particularly vulnerable to acidic attack.
PackCleanse CD is a stabilized chlorine dioxide solution, packaged in 500ml containers. Each container is sufficient to generate 500 ppm of chlorine dioxide when mixed with 20 litres of either PackCleanse Foamgel or Foamgel Safe. This powerful disinfectant enhances the cleaning process by effectively controlling microbial contamination.
PackCleanse Defoamer
PackCleanse Defoamer is available in standard 5-liter packs. It is specifically designed to counteract the foaming properties of the Foamgels without leaving residues, ensuring a clean and manageable cleaning process.
PackCleanse Neutraliser
PackCleanse Neutraliser is a solution that neutralizes excess acidity and chlorine dioxide in the spent cleaning solution. This neutralization allows for the safe disposal of the cleaning solution from the tower, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.
The interior of the pack should be inspected using an endoscope / boroscope to assess its condition. This allows for a detailed examination of hard-to-reach areas, ensuring that all parts of the pack are evaluated for cleanliness and scale build-up. If the condition of the pack is satisfactory continue to clean the remaining parts of the tower and follow the post clean disinfection procedure. If necessary and considered beneficial, repeat the Foamgel procedure and then clean and disinfect.
A guideline method statement for the use of our PackCleanse range of products is available on request.
Please contact ownlabel@bvwater.co.uk for further information
The water utility companies provide mains water which is potable i.e. of a standard which is suitable and safe to drink. The responsibility of the water utilities for the water they supply ends at the point when this water enters any commercial premises.
