The Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 12 No 2 (2008): 380 – 383

 

 

 

WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS AND ITS RELATION TO THE SCALING AND CORROSION TENDENCY IN AN OPEN WATER COOLING SYSTEM

 

Zaini Hamzah^1*, Halimah Abdul Ghani¹ and Masitah Alias²

 

¹Pusat Pengajian Sains Kimia dan Persekitaran,

 Fakulti Sains Gunaan, UiTM, 40450 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan

² TNB Research, No. 1, Lorong Air Hitam, Kawasan Institusi Penyelidikan,

43000 Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan

 

*Corresponding author: drzainihamzah@yahoo.com

 

Abstract

The problem of scaling and corrosion are common phenomena in a water cooling system especially the open cooling system. This study was carried out in Temenggor dam with an objective to check the water quality at the intake and tailrace of the hydro power plant. In-situ measurement and laboratory analysis on the water samples were carried out. Seven parameters were measured in-situ i.e. temperature, pH, specific conductivity, dissolved oxygen (DO), total dissolved solid (TDS), turbidity, and chlorine concentration. The water samples were collected using water sampler at three locations near the intake area at surface, and at the interval of one meter up to three meter depth. Two locations at the tailrace also were collected in the same pattern. These samples were brought back to the laboratory in UiTM, Shah Alam for further analysis. Laboratory analysis includes alkalinity, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Fe²⁺ concentrations, and total suspended solid (TSS). From the results, the LSI, RSI and PSI were calculated to predict the scaling and corrosion tendency. The index shows strong tendency for corrosion to take place in the cooling system as the related factors supported it.

 

Keywords: scaling, corrosion, water quality, water cooling system

.

References

1.   Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC), How Hydropower Works. 2007. Retrieved from http://www.wvic.com/hydro-works.htm on Jan 2007.

2.     United State Geological Survey (USGS), Hydroelectric power: How it works. 2007. Retrieved from http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/hyhowworks.html on Jan 2007.

3.     Edstrom Industries. 2003. Scale-Forming Tendency of Water

4.     Leo M.L Nollet. 2000. Handbook of Water Analysis Moriarty, B.E. (2001) Methods to Monitor and Control Scale in Cooling Water System

5.     Gulf Coast Chemical Commerical Inc. 1995. Deposition and Cooling Systems.