Atlas Copco Airpower n.v.

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COOLING WATER QUALITY

CONTENTS
1 TYPE OF SYSTEM .........................................................................................................2
2 COOLING WATER PARAMETERS ....................................................................................2
2.1 The Rysnar Stability Index (RSI)..............................................................................2
2.2 pH value ....................................................................................................................5
2.3 Total Dissolved solids (TDS).....................................................................................5
2.4 Chlorides (Cl-) ...........................................................................................................5
2.5 Free chlorine (Cl2).....................................................................................................5
2.6 Sulphates (SO4--) .....................................................................................................6
2.7 Carbonate hardness..................................................................................................6
2.8 Ammonia ...................................................................................................................6
2.9 Copper.......................................................................................................................6
2.10 Iron and Manganese ........................................................................................6
2.11 Organic contaminants ......................................................................................6
2.12 Suspended solids .............................................................................................6

PM: 2946 0263 02

replaces: 2946 0263 01 04/04/2008
Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Airpower n.v., Antwerp, Belgium.
 Atlas Copco Airpower n.v. Registration code
Oil -free Air division Collection: Technical Information
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For AIF stationary compressors, coolers and air dryers

The cooling water quality equipment must meet certain minimum requirements.
No general recommendation can encompass the effects of all combinations of the various
compounds, solids and gases typically found in cooling water in interaction with different
materials.
The following recommendation is a general guideline for acceptable coolant quality.

1 TYPE OF SYSTEM
First, it is important to consider whether it concerns a closed system or an open system.
In a closed system, the same cooling water is circulating through a system without contact
with air.
An open system is a pass-through system, or a circulating system with a cooling tower. In
the latter case, one has to consider the composition of the water as it enters the cooler,
and not rely on the composition of the make-up water. Due to the evaporative effect in the
cooling tower, much higher concentrations of ions can be obtained in the circulating water
than in the make-up water.

2 COOLING WATER PARAMETERS

2.1 THE RYSNAR STABILITY INDEX (RSI)
The Rysnar Index (RSI) is a parameter for predicting whether water will tend to dissolve or
precipitate calcium carbonate. The adhesion of scaling depositions and their effect are
different on different materials, but the equilibrium of the water (scaling or corrosive) is
only determined by its actual pH value and by the saturation pH value (pHs).
The saturation pH value is determined by the relationship between the calcium hardness,
the total alkalinity, the total solids concentration and the temperature.
The Rysnar Index is calculated as follows:

RSI = 2*pHs - pH

pH = measured pH (at room temp) of water sample

pHs = pH at saturation.

PM: 2946 0263 02

replaces: 2946 0263 01 04/04/2008
Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Airpower n.v., Antwerp, Belgium.
 Atlas Copco Airpower n.v. Registration code
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The pHs is calculated by using:

pHs = (9.3 + A + B) - (C + D)

A: depends on the total solids concentration (mg/l).

B: depends on the highest cooling water temperature (°C),
for Z-units : take T = 65°C,
for GA/GR units: take T = 75°C
C: depends on the calcium hardness (ppm CaCO3).
D: depends on the HCO3- concentration or M-alkalinity (mval/l).

The values of A, B, C and D are to be found in Table 1 below.

Table 1
Total Dissolved Temperature Ca-hardness M-Alkalinity
solids (mg/l) A (°C) B (ppm CaCO 3) C (mval/l) D
50 - 300 0,1 0-1 2,6 10 - 11 0,6 0.20 - 0.22 1,0
400 - 1000 0,2 2-6 2,5 12 - 13 0,7 0.24 - 0.26 1,1
7-9 2,4 14 - 17 0,8 0.28 - 0.34 1,2
10 - 13 2,3 18 - 22 0,9 0.36 - 0.44 1,3
14 - 17 2,2 23 - 27 1,0 0.46 - 0.54 1,4
18 - 21 2,1 28 - 34 1,1 0.56 - 0.70 1,5
22 - 27 2,0 35 - 43 1,2 0.72 - 0.88 1,6
28 - 31 1,9 44 - 55 1,3 0.90 - 1.10 1,7
32 - 37 1,8 56 - 69 1,4 1.12 - 1.38 1,8
38 - 44 1,7 70 - 87 1,5 1.40 - 1.76 1,9
45 - 50 1,6 88 - 110 1,6 1.78 - 2.20 2,0
51 - 56 1,5 111 - 138 1,7 2.22 - 2.78 2,1
57 - 63 1,4 138 - 174 1,8 2.80 - 3.54 2,2
64 - 71 1,3 175 - 220 1,9 3.54 - 4.40 2,3
72 - 80 1,2 230 - 270 2,0 4.6 - 5.4 2,4
280 - 340 2,1 5.6 - 7.0 2,5
350 - 430 2,2 7.2 - 8.8 2,6
440 - 550 2,3 9.0 - 11.0 2,7
560 - 690 2,4 11.2 - 13.8 2,8
700 - 870 2,5 14.0 - 17.6 2,9
880 - 1000 2,6 17.8 - 20.0 3,0

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The interpretation of the values obtained is:

RSI < 6 boiler scale formation
RSI 6 - 7 neutral water
RSI >7 corrosive water
A more detailed interpretation is shown below:
Table 2

RSI Tendency of the w ater Action

RSI < 3.9 Very high scale form ation W ater cannot be used

4.0 < RSI < 5.5 High boiler scale form ation Regular control and descaling required

5.6 < RSI < 6.2 Slight boiler scale form ation
W ater treatment not necessary

6.3 < RSI < 6.8 Neutral water Occasional inspection recommended

Slight corrosion at higher

6.9 < RSI < 7.5
tem perature

Regular control necessary, use of corrosion inhibitor

7.6 < RSI < 9.0 Strong corrosion recommended

9.1 < RSI < 11 Very strong corrosion Regular control necessary, use of corrosion inhibitor required

Very strong corrosion in

RSI > 11 W ater should not be used
com plete water system

This table indicates that distilled or demineralised water should never be used.
An RSI > 11, indicates that the water is strongly corrosive.
The RSI index only indicates the equilibrium between scaling and descaling. However
cooling water showing good RSI conditions can still prove unsuitable due to other factors.
The table above indicates that the RSI index should be somewhere between 5.6 and 7.5
If this is not the case then you should contact a cooling water specialist.

PM: 2946 0263 02

replaces: 2946 0263 01 04/04/2008
Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Airpower n.v., Antwerp, Belgium.
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2.2 PH VALUE

The effect of the pH value is already calculated in the Rysnar index, but the pH itself is
subject to some further limitations:
Z-units 6.8 < pH < 8.5
GA/GR-units 6.8 < pH

2.3 TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS)

This is the sum of all ions in the water. It can be derived from the dry residue after
evaporation (but not including suspended solids), or it can be estimated from the electrical
conductivity.
In a closed system, the following limits apply:
All units TDS < 3000 mg/l (< 3800 µS/cm)

For an open system, the following limits apply:

Z-units TDS < 750 mg/l (< 960 µS/cm)
GA/GR-units TDS < 450 mg/l (< 580 µS/cm)

2.4 CHLORIDES (CL-)

Chloride ions will create pitting corrosion on stainless steel. Their concentration should be
limited:
Closed cooling system: Chlorides < 500 ppm
Open cooling system: Chlorides < 150 ppm
However if there is a risk of boiler scale formation, then lower limits should be used. See
the Rysnar stability index (RSI).

2.5 FREE CHLORINE (CL2)

Maximum allowable level: 0.5 ppm on continuous basis.
For shock treatments, a maximum limit of 2 ppm for maximum 30 minutes/day applies.

PM: 2946 0263 02

replaces: 2946 0263 01 04/04/2008
Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Airpower n.v., Antwerp, Belgium.
 Atlas Copco Airpower n.v. Registration code
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2.6 SULPHATES (SO4--)

Closed cooling system: Sulphates < 400 ppm
Open cooling system: Sulphates < 150 ppm

2.7 CARBONATE HARDNESS

Closed cooling system: 50-1000 ppm CaCO3
Open cooling system: 50-500 ppm CaCO3
HCO3- / SO42- should be > 1

2.8 AMMONIA
Maximum allowable concentration < 0.5 ppm

2.9 COPPER
Maximum allowable concentration < 1 ppm

2.10 IRON AND MANGANESE

Maximum allowable concentration < 1 ppm.

2.11 ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS

- No algae allowed.
- No oil allowed.

2.12 SUSPENDED SOLIDS

Maximum allowable size of non-soluble particles < 1mm.
Maximum allowable concentration < 10 ppm

PM: 2946 0263 02

replaces: 2946 0263 01 04/04/2008
Copyright 2008, Atlas Copco Airpower n.v., Antwerp, Belgium.