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2024
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Does the cooling circulating water in a closed cooling tower absolutely have to be pure water?
Closed-circuit cooling towers require a substantial amount of circulating cooling water to ensure optimal cooling efficiency. One key difference between closed-circuit and open-circuit cooling towers is that closed-circuit systems feature two distinct water circulation loops. When designing a closed-circuit cooling tower, we incorporate a dual-pump system—each pump dedicated to either the internal loop or the spray-water circulation, allowing them to operate independently. The water in the internal loop flows through cooling coils and must be pure water, while the spray water, which comes into direct contact with air, does not need to be purified.
Closed-circuit cooling towers require a substantial amount of circulating cooling water to ensure optimal cooling efficiency. One key difference between closed-circuit and open-circuit cooling towers is that closed-circuit systems feature two distinct water circulation loops. When designing a closed-circuit cooling tower, we incorporate a dual-pump system—each pump dedicated to either the internal loop or the spray-water circulation, allowing them to operate independently. The water in the internal loop flows through cooling coils and must be pure water, while the spray water, which comes into direct contact with air, does not need to be purified.
The internal loop runs through the cooling coils of the cooling tower, which are equipped with both an inlet and an outlet connected in a fully sealed configuration. The inlet is linked to the make-up water interface of the cooling tower’s auxiliary equipment, while the outlet connects to the inlet of the heat source. As the chilled water flows through the heat source, it absorbs heat, causing the temperature to rise. This warm water then enters the cooling tower’s auxiliary unit, where a pump pressurizes it and sends it back into the cooling coils for continuous circulation. Importantly, this closed-loop system maintains complete isolation from the external environment. Pure water is used specifically to minimize scale buildup, as scale deposits on the inner walls of the cooling coils are extremely difficult to remove. Moreover, scale can impede the smooth flow of liquid within the coils, increasing the operational pressure on the pump. That’s why the internal circulating water is kept as pure water.

External circulating water refers to spray water, which mixes with outdoor air containing impurities. While using purified water for external circulation spray systems can help reduce scale buildup, tap water can also be used as a cost-effective alternative—provided it undergoes regular cleaning and periodic treatment with chemicals to eliminate microorganisms. Additionally, the system can be equipped with an automatic makeup water feature, allowing direct connection to the tap water supply for seamless replenishment.
Many companies need to equip multiple cooling towers during production. To extend the lifespan of these towers, they often install purified water treatment systems, ensuring that all circulating water is clean and pure. This approach not only helps reduce the average operating costs of the cooling towers but also enhances their durability, efficiency, and overall performance.