What do Controllers do?

Measure Parameters of industrial processes

• Cooling towers 
• Boilers
• Other Processes 

Control equipment

• Metering pumps (chemical feed timers)
• Solenoid Valves & motorized valves

Facilitate Data Acquisition

• Download the measurements to a PC
   

Using MicroVision series of controllers, including our cloud connected MicroVision EX controller and PULSAtron pumps to increase energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, reduce manpower, and optimize chemical utilization by:

• Controlling conductivity to prevent scaling 
• Controlling pH by metering acids and caustics to maintain a pH range that prevents corrosion
• Controlling ORP by metering bromine or chlorine to prevent biological growth and fouling
• Controlling inhibitor levels by monitoring PTSA 
• Controlling and monitoring corrosion rates using different metal tips like stainless steel, copper, etc. 
• Metering inhibitors such as polyphosphates or molybdates to inhibit corrosion
• Timed dispensing of biocides such as gluteraldehyde or isothiazilone to prevent biological growth and fouling

What do we measure?

Conductivity

• The ability of a substance to conduct electric current.
• The basic unit of measure is µS/cm
• Also may be expressed as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 

Conductivity Control

• As conductivity increases, potential for precipitation increases.
• Scaling reduces system efficiency.
• Conductivity control balances water use and system efficiency.
• Conductivity is reduced by adding lower conductivity water to a system.

pH 

• Scientific Definition - Negative Logarithm of hydrogen ion activity in moles per liter
• Practical Definition - measures the effectiveness of acidity of an aqueous solution
• pH is represented by a unitless scale of 0 – 14
• Where 0 pH is acidic, 7 pH is neutral, and 14 is considered very alkaline or a strong base

   

pH control

• pH imbalance accelerates corrosion.
• pH imbalance reduces chemical effectiveness.
• pH is controlled by adding (pumping) acid or a base into a system.
• Water must be a certain pH to be discharged.

ORP 

• Oxidation Reduction Potential or Redox
• Measured in millivolts 
• Typically used in conjunction with pH
• Provides an indication of the solution’s ability to oxidize or reduce another material.
   

Commonly used oxidizers:    

• Chlorine
• Bromine
• Ozone
• Sodium Hypochlorite
• Hydrogen Peroxide

Commonly used reducers:

• Sodium Bisulfite
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Ferrous Sulfate

ORP Control

Typically oxidizers and reducers are added to processes such as:

• Water Disinfection
• Bleaching
• Cyanide destruction
• Chrome Reduction
• Metal Etching
• De-chlorination

PTSA

• PTSA is p-Toluenesulfonic acid
• Uses traceable additive for chemical dosing
• Exhibits response to UV excitation

PTSA Control

• Concentrations can be detected and tied to chemical control in a MicroVision EX using a 4-20mA loop and set point control for superior control and less chemical waste

Corrosion Sensor

• The sensor is equipped with different metal tips to gauge the corrosion rates, similar to the Corrosion Coupon Racks. 
• Common metal tips
• Mild steel
• Copper
• Can also try other tips like stainless steel, aluminum, or brass. 

Corrosion Sensor Control

• Corrosion sensors measure the corrosion rates that the cooling tower material will experience over a period of time.

   

What is a Cooling Tower

• Open recirculating cooling water system used to extract heat from processes or equipment on premises. Examples include air conditioning chillers, industrial processes and related equipment. 
• A large device, in the form of a tower-shaped building, in which warm water is cooled by evaporation caused by circulating currents of air 
• A cooling system used in industry to cool hot water (by partial evaporation) before reusing it as a coolant