Problem 6.8: Two cooling towers run the same pH and

From Chapter 6 Problem Set. Level 3: System Integration.

Question

Two cooling towers run the same pH and conductivity. Tower A reads ORP of +650 mV; Tower B reads +200 mV. Which tower has stronger oxidizing pressure? Which is more likely to suppress biofilm? Which poses a greater corrosion risk to exposed metals?

Answer

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Tower A has stronger oxidizing pressure (+650 mV vs. +200 mV). Tower A is more likely to suppress biofilm because the water is more strongly oxidizing. All else equal, Tower A also poses a greater corrosion risk to exposed metals because the environment has a stronger tendency to accept electrons.