Make-up water source is high in suspended solids, iron, biological and organic activity.Choosing the right filtration side stream filtration system can yield significant savings.Ħ Signs Your Cooling Tower Requires a Side Stream Filtration Ĭonsider the following signs your facility requires a side stream filtration system. Such filter technology, in HVAC applications, are evaluated based on their performance in filtering fine particulate (ranging from 1 – 50 microns). Side stream filtration technology generally falls into the following categories: screen filters, centrifugal filters, bag & cartridge filters, sand/media filters and high efficiency media filters. Keep in mind, the filtration rate will highly depend on the application and filtration technology at hand. Over time, filtering 1% - 10% of the cooling loop flow results in the filtration of the total volume of water every 12 – 72 hours. Side stream filtration is used to filter a portion of the systems circulating water, removing debris and particles that are adversely affecting the cooling loop and its components (heat exchangers, chillers and more). High volumes of fine suspended particles will not always be eliminated with the sole use of a chemical program – therefor fine filtration is becoming a vital addition. Scientific studies have shown that these fine particles (5 microns and less) tend to be the adherent contaminants causing fouling of the cooling tower water, chilled water and heat exchangers, thereby reducing cooling system efficiency2. Typically, 85% of suspended solids in cooling water and hot water loops are smaller than 5 microns in size1. With time, these fine particles can build up and settle within the system, adversely affecting cooling performance while lowering the life of wetted sub-components. During the cooling process, the cooling water absorbs large volumes of airborne particulate - acting as an air scrubber filtering the surrounding air.