Condensers and Cooling Towers

Course Number: 435

This course covers the function, construction, and operation of both air- and water-cooled condensers and related devices. It discusses cooling towers and spray ponds, including maintenance and troubleshooting. The course includes information on evaporative condensers and concludes with a discussion of water-related problems and how to solve them.

Recommended Contact Hours - 10

Chapter 1: Air-Cooled Condensers

Topics: Condenser capacity, construction, and types; Pumpdown circuit; Low-ambient controls; Receivers; Pressure-relief devices; Maintenance

Learning Objectives:

• Contrast the two types of air-cooled condensers forced air.
• Describe the construction of an air-cooled condenser, including the tubes, fins, headers, and subcooling circuit.
• Name the factors that affect condenser capacity.
• Explain the effects of ambient temperature on the capacity of an air-cooled condenser.
• Describe various types of low-ambient controls for air-cooled condensers.
• Explain how spring-loaded pressure-relief valves and fusible plugs protect against possible explosions caused by high pressure.
• List the periodic maintenance procedures common to most air-cooled condensers.

Chapter 2: Water-Cooled Condensers

Topics: Condenser types; Pressure-relief devices; Water-regulating valves; Strainers; Maintenance; Cleaning; Inspection; Troubleshooting

Learning Objectives:

• Name and describe the basic types of water systems used by water-cooled condensers.
• Define the terms makeup water and fouling factor.
• Describe the construction of the various kinds of water-cooled condensers.
• Explain the purpose of the accessories used with water-cooled condensers
• Explain water-cooled condenser maintenance procedures, including inspection for leaks and chemical and mechanical cleaning.

Chapter 3: Cooling Towers and Spray Ponds

Topics: Cooling tower and spray pond function capacity, types, controls, maintenance, and troubleshooting

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the function of cooling towers and spray ponds and the factors that affect their capacities.
• Identify the basic types and construction of cooling towers and spray ponds.
• Describe the components required in a cooling-tower or spray-pond water-circulating system and explain the purpose of each.
• Describe the various devices used to control cooling-tower capacity.
• Explain cooling-tower and spray-pond maintenance procedures.

Chapter 4: Evaporative Condensers

Topics: Refrigerant, air-circulation, and water-circulation systems; Capacity control; Freezing condition operation; Maintenance; Troubleshooting

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the basic types of evaporative condensers.
• Describe the components that make up the three circulation systems in an evaporative condenser
• List the kinds of capacity controls used on evaporative condensers and explain the operation of each.
• Explain how to provide freeze protection for an evaporative condenser.
• Outline evaporative-condenser maintenance procedures.

Chapter 5: Controlling Water-Related Problems

Topics: Chemical water treatment; Water-related problems; Causes and control of corrosion, scale, biological fouling, and wood deterioration

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the three categories of water problems encountered in the water systems of water-cooled equipment.
• Name the five causes of corrosion and explain how to control them.
• Describe the three most common types of scale, their causes, and how to control them.
• List the three types of organisms that grow in water systems and explain how to control them.
• Describe the three types of wood deterioration and explain how to control them.
• Explain the operation of three chemical-feeding devices used in water systems.