Closed Cooling Systems

In a closed system, water circulates in a closed cycle and is subjected to alternate cooling and heating without air contact. Heat, absorbed by the water in the closed system, is normally transferred by a water-to-water exchanger to the recirculating water of an open recirculating system, from which the heat is lost to atmosphere.

Untreated systems can suffer serious corrosion damage from oxygen pitting, galvanic action, and crevice attack. Closed cooling systems that are shut down periodically are subjected to water temperatures that may vary from ambient to 180°F (82°C) or higher. During shutdown, oxygen can enter the water until its saturation limit is reached. When the system is returned to high-temperature operation, oxygen solubility drops and the released oxygen attacks metal surfaces.

Some closed systems, such as chilled water systems, operate at relatively low temperatures and require very little makeup water. Because no concentration of dissolved solids occurs, fairly hard makeup water may be used with little danger of scale formation. However, in diesel and gas engines, the high temperature of the jacket water significantly increases its tendency to deposit scale. Over a long period, the addition of even small amounts of hard makeup water causes a gradual buildup of scale in cylinders and cylinder heads.

ANCI offers corrosion and scale inhibitors as well as chemical cleaning services for new or fouled systems.