Which formula is used to determine tower water cycles?

The formula used to determine tower water cycles is based on the concentration of chlorides in both the tower water and the make-up water. By dividing the chloride concentration in the tower water by that of the make-up water, you can calculate how many cycles of concentration the cooling tower water has undergone. This is crucial for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of the cooling tower system, as it helps in assessing water treatment needs, such as the frequency of blowdown to reduce scaling and corrosion.

In a cooling tower, the make-up water is primarily added to replace water lost through evaporation and drift. As the water cycles through the system, the concentration of dissolved solids, including chlorides, increases. Monitoring this concentration allows operators to manage the cycles of concentration effectively and ensure that water treatment protocols are optimally applied.

Other options, while related to cooling tower operations, do not provide a direct method for determining water cycles. For instance, temperature ratios, pressure comparisons, or volume ratios do not directly correlate to how many times the tower water has cycled in relation to the incoming make-up water. Thus, understanding chloride concentration is key to accurately measuring water cycles in cooling towers.