What should be done to maintain the water quality in a cooling system?

To maintain water quality in a cooling system, regularly adding biocides is crucial because it helps control microbiological growth, such as algae and bacteria, which can lead to system fouling and corrosion. By keeping these organisms in check, biocides prevent biofilm formation on heat exchange surfaces, which can reduce the efficiency of heat transfer and lead to potential system failures.

Regular application of biocides contributes to the overall health of the cooling water, ensuring that it remains effective at transferring heat. This is particularly important in environments where water stagnation or nutrient availability can promote the rapid growth of unwanted microorganisms. In addition to biocides, water treatment involves other chemical treatments and monitoring factors like pH, conductivity, and hardness to ensure that the cooling system operates effectively and remains protective against corrosion and scaling.

Alternatively, increasing the system pressure may not directly address water quality issues, and decreasing water circulation can lead to higher temperatures and stagnation, promoting undesirable biological growth. Lastly, while using distilled water can eliminate certain impurities, it does not address the potential for microbial growth within the system if proper treatment methods, like biocides, are not employed.