As galvanized metal cooling towers fall victim to the ravages of corrosion, they are increasingly being replaced with engineered plastic towers, according to an article from Water Technology. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) cooling towers were introduced in the 1970s and the engineered plastic towers reportedly have demonstrated their mettle, proving relatively impervious to corrosive environments.
According to the article, engineered plastic cooling towers require fewer expensive water treatment chemicals and less downtime for repair or replacement. The material has also proved durable: many of the first towers installed reportedly are still in operation today, more than 40 years later. In North Carolina, one chemical processor recently completed construction of a 20,000-square-foot R&D facility and insisted on HDPE cooling towers after repeatedly replacing its metal towers after as little as five years.
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