GRP Cooling Towers Increase Chemical Processing Durability

IWC cooling tower

by | Aug 4, 2015

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IWC cooling towerGlass-reinforced plastic (GRP) is prevailing over traditional concrete, steel and wood as the most suitable primary cooling tower material in mining processes involving aggressive chemical solutions, says Industrial Water Cooling (IWC), a company that specializes in GRP systems.

Says Roger Rusch, CEO of IWC, “Over the past 30 years, GRP materials have been utilized as secondary components in cooling towers, such as pipes and fan stacks, with the primary structure constructed out of concrete, steel or wood. However, in chemical extraction processes, GRP’s inherent corrosion, moisture and temperature resistance significantly increases the durability and service life of the cooling tower structure, as well as reducing the need for maintenance; making it the primary material of choice today.”

Concrete cooling towers are reinforced with steel or other metals that, over time, corrode from constant exposure to aggressive chemicals. When the embedded metal corrodes, the resulting rust occupies a greater volume than the metal, creating tensile stresses and eventually causing cracking, delamination, and spalling.

Another reason for the corrosion of the cooling tower reinforcement in a chemical refinery is the existence of chlorides, which penetrate the passive layer of oxides and cause corrosion in the form of acupuncture.

Says Rusch, “In contrast, GRP cooling towers are resistant to galvanic and electrolytic corrosion and can withstand continuous contact with aggressive chemicals. This makes them an obvious choice in refineries where highly aggressive cell electrolyte and hot, purified chemical sulfates need to be cooled at a constant operating temperature.”

 

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