Problem
A pharmaceutical facility in the Southeastern U.S. used liquid chemicals in their four cooling towers. Due to limited space around the cooling towers there was great difficulty moving large drums of liquid product to the point of use. The cooling towers had to be hand fed several times a week due to the space constraints as well as lack of proper feed and control equipment. Furthermore, the cooling towers were not being properly treated for corrosion and microbiological fouling. The facility wanted to replace their problematic program with one that eliminated heavy drums and provided a feed system that would fit within their limited space. 
Analysis
During the fall of 2012, one of APTech Group’s national partners suggested switching from liquids to a blended solid concentrate system by APTech Group. The compact size of this system would fit within the small space around the cooling towers and eliminate the need for hand feeding product. Automated controls were recommended to ensure proper chemical feed to handle the corrosion and microbiological fouling problems.
Solution
The blended solid concentrates from APTech Group and automated controllers were installed for each cooling tower in and have provided the proven results of a liquid program while allowing the facility to eliminate several challenges and safety hazards. This system’s simplicity of use
- Reduced splash and spill concerns
- Eliminated drum handling, storage, and disposal
- Provided automated feed for a corrosion inhibitor, oxidizing biocide, and non-oxidizing biocide to enable proper treatment
The blended solid concentrate system from APTech Group proved to be an innovative technology that solved a space and storage issue for a hard to reach location while improving upon the overall water treatment program results.
