Abstract
The mechanism of dissipating unwanted process heat energy to the atmosphere is examined and the importance of considering the heat-exchange equipment in the process plant as part of the cooling circuit is stressed. The seven cooling-water circuits usually found in the metals industries are out lined and water supplies and treatment are discussed, with particular reference to prevention of scaling and corrosion at high heat fluxes. The influence of the water source on any subsequent treatment for a particular circuit is pointed out and the relative performance of evaporative cooling towers, cooling ponds, and air-to-water and water-to-water heat exchangers examined. Some recent developments in the cooling-water circuit field are considered and a comparison is made between the merits of open circuits with evaporative cooling towers and closed circuits with air-to-water heat exchangers. The needfor the low cooling-water temperatures and high water quality often called for by some plant manufacturers is questioned.
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