2023 RETA Breeze Jan-Feb

EPIC FAILS

With their location on a roof, or on a high platform, condensers are often overlooked during routine maintenance. Problems include dirt buildup in the drift and mist eliminators, often causing biological growth. This dirt buildup and biological growth leads to a reduction in airflow, decreased condenser efficiencies, and higher energy costs due to increased condensing pressures. If this dirt buildup is not cleaned out periodically, it can lead to corrosion and deterioration of the condenser structure, including the drain pan. In the main picture on page 26, a hole in the bottom of the drain pan is evident. As if the loss of airflow were not bad enough, this dirt buildup and biological growth can also lead to choked water distribution nozzles, which result in further efficiency losses in the short term. In the long term, it leads to scale buildup This scale buildup further impedes air and water flow through the coils. It also causes deterioration of the galvanized coating on

the coils, leading to eventual corrosion of the coils themselves. Mist eliminators are often overlooked as well, sometimes due to lack of easy access to the top of the condenser in order to inspect them. So what does IIAR6-2019 require for evaporative condenser maintenance? IIAR6, Chapter 8, calls for the following visual inspections, among others, on an annual basis. 1. Visually inspect the water spray pattern from the water nozzles for sufficient water distribution. 2. Visually inspect the mist eliminators for condition and water carryover 3. Visually inspect the condition of the condenser coils for degradation of the coating and that there is not excessive accumulation of scale or algae growth All of the conditions pictured above should have been identified during annual inspec- tions and action items created to address them.

CONDENSER UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE By Bill Lape

20 RETA.com