Paola Bastidas1, Alejandro Villegas1, Miguel Vidal2 and Adriana Cardona2
1Providencia, km 12 Palmira – El Cerrito, Colombia; pabastidas@providenciaco.com
2Solenis, km 25 autopista norte Girardota, Colombia
Providencia’s Distillery faced significant challenges in its cooling water system due to contamination by sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB), and insufficient process monitoring for early deviation detection. To address these issues, the acid-based treatment was replaced with an alkaline regimen, alongside a comprehensive overhaul of the treatment chemistry to better manage corrosion, scaling and microbiological growth. Non-oxidizing biocides for SRB and a selective bromide-activated chloramine (BAC) oxidizing biocide were introduced to combat microbiological fouling. Microbiological and chemical characterizations of cooling tower inlets were performed to detect contamination sources and potential organic carbon nutrients. Detailed follow-ups and root-cause analyses identified organic carbon from the cooling tower surroundings and leaks in cooling equipment as primary contributors. Enhanced treatment strategies, including optimized chemical dosages, biocide rotation, and robust inspection plans, improved control over corrosion, scaling, and microbiological fouling. The revised strategy produced less corrosive water, prolonging the lifespan of pipelines and cooling equipment while reducing maintenance demands. These findings underscore the efficacy of targeted water-treatment approaches in addressing contamination and operational inefficiencies, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring and tailored strategies to maintain industrial water system integrity.