When it comes to cooling tower maintenance, there’s nothing more important than testing. Testing your equipment ensures that it is functioning properly and does not need any repairs before being put into use. In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about cooling tower testing, including:

• Testing conditions

• Testing procedures

• Results

Testing Conditions

In anticipation of an official CTI Thermal Performance Test, a cooling tower should be prepared for testing in accordance with CTI Document PTG-156 — Preparation for an Official CTI Thermal Performance Test. You should make sure that your cooling tower is in accordance with the following testing guidelines:

• Water distribution must be clear of foreign materials

• Mechanical equipment is in working order

• Drift eliminators are free of deposits

• Fill must be cleaned

• Water in basin is at normal operating level

Each test must be conducted by CTI or a CTI licensed third-party tester with authorized representatives of the purchaser and the manufacturer present. Acceptance tests need to be conducted within 12 months of structural completion of the tower, unless it is otherwise stipulated by contractual agreement.

Testing Procedures

After your cooling tower is prepared for testing, the requirements for test duration are as follows:

• Mechanical-draft towers

  • The duration of the test run should not be less than one hour. If the thermal lag time is greater than five minutes, the testing period must be at least one hour plus the extra thermal lag time.

• Natural-draft towers

  • The duration of the test should last two days — there will be a minimum of six one-hour periods where test data will be collected within these two days. Alternatively, a longer test period with additional tests may be utilized to more accurately determine the overall performance of your cooling tower. 

During the required testing period, the following measurements will be taken:

• Water flow measurements

• Water temperature measurements

• Inlet air temperature measurements

• Wind velocity

• Water analysis

Results

The report of the results of the test will include:

• The data required by this test procedure

• The manufacturer's data

• A description of the cooling tower with its orientation and principal dimensions

• A sketch of the installation, showing the location of points where water flow, temperatures, and other measurements were taken

Notation should be made of any buildings, obstructions, or other equipment in the immediate vicinity of the tower that was tested. Notation should also be made of any other equipment or facilities that discharge heat or vapor in the immediate vicinity. The observations made during the test will be included in a comprehensive test report, which will include:

• A summary page having design and test values

• All original log sheets of the data collected

• The manufacturer’s performance data as applicable

• Identification of the parameters that were out of code

• Capability analysis documentation

How Can CTI Assist With Your Cooling Tower Needs?

Cooling Technology Institute has published a plethora of papers about various cooling topics. CTI is also an advocate in promoting the use of environmentally responsible Evaporative Heat Transfer Systems (EHTS), cooling towers, and cooling technology for the benefit of the public. Additionally, CTI is an independent, third-party thermal performance testing to help participating manufacturers and owners/operators achieve the best performance from their cooling towers. Visit our website today for more information on cooling technologies!