How Suspended Solids Affect Cooling Tower Fill

Suspended solids are one of the most common water-quality concerns when selecting and operating cooling tower fill. Dirt, silt, clay, corrosion particles, and biological deposits can gradually accumulate inside the fill and affect water and airflow.

Why TSS Can Cause Fill Fouling

Film fill uses closely spaced passages to create a large air-water contact area. When circulating water contains excessive suspended solids, these particles can become trapped inside the fill.

As fouling increases, water distribution and airflow may become less uniform, reducing the effective cooling area.

Film Fill Requires More Attention to Water Quality

High-efficiency film fill can provide excellent heat transfer, but its narrow flow passages can also make it more sensitive to fouling than open splash-type media.

What Should Be Checked?

• Total suspended solids (TSS)
• Water turbidity
• Biological growth
• Corrosion particles
• Oil and other sticky contaminants

Choose Fill According to the Actual Water Condition

If the cooling water contains a high level of suspended solids, selecting fill only according to heat-transfer performance may create maintenance problems later.

Our team can review your water quality, tower configuration, and operating conditions to help determine whether film fill or splash fill is more suitable for the application.

Related Cooling Tower Products

DUAL-SPEC HIGH-EFFICIENCY CROSS-FLOW FILL |STEADYFLOW 1000-1250 CROSS-FLOW FILL