2016 AIChE Spring Meeting and 12th Global Congress on Process Safety

(127a) Cooling Tower Inspection and Repairs

Authors

Stephen Pierce - Presenter, Lyondell Chemical Company
Jon Vernon, Lyondell Chemical Company
Cooling water systems are a vital part of the operation of an Olefins plant. However, cooling towers often do not receive the same inspection and maintenance attention as other equipment in a unit, yet an unplanned failure can have just as significant an impact on plant operation.

This paper presents damage mechanisms within cooling towers, the inspection techniques and methods for detection, and the repair and replacement strategies to improve long term reliability.