Renkeer Launches Online Water Quality Monitoring System for Automated Cooling Tower Treatment

Shandong Renke Control Technology Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of environmental sensors and IoT monitoring equipment, has introduced an online water quality monitoring system for industrial cooling towers. The platform connects continuous sensor data directly to automated dosing and blowdown operations, aiming to reduce manual sampling while maintaining consistent control over scale, corrosion, and biological growth in recirculating water.

The system continuously tracks key parameters such as conductivity, pH, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), residual chlorine, and turbidity. When conductivity rises above a set threshold—indicating the water has reached its target cycles of concentration—the system triggers a blowdown valve to release and dilute the water, reducing the risk of scale formation. Similarly, when ORP or residual chlorine readings drop below preset levels, an automated dosing pump releases biocide or corrosion inhibitor to restore the target range, all without requiring an operator on site.

Manual water testing in cooling towers is typically performed on a periodic schedule, often weekly or less frequently, leaving a gap between a change in water chemistry and corrective action. Continuous online monitoring closes that gap by detecting parameter shifts as they occur and triggering treatment automatically. This capability is particularly relevant for facilities aiming to comply with water management frameworks such as ASHRAE Guideline 188, which addresses Legionella risk reduction through documented monitoring and control practices. For facilities discharging blowdown under EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits, continuous monitoring can also support more consistent tracking of discharge water quality.

The system leverages Renkeer's industrial water quality sensor portfolio, including pH sensors, conductivity sensors, dissolved oxygen sensors, COD sensors, ORP sensors, residual chlorine sensors, and turbidity sensors. It integrates with existing industrial automation or SCADA systems through standard communication protocols. Continuous data logging provides facility managers with accessible records for internal water resource management and external compliance reporting.

The system is structured across four layers. The measurement layer uses sensors installed in the cooling tower loop to measure parameters continuously. The acquisition layer collects readings from multiple sensor points and uploads consolidated data. The platform layer provides a monitoring interface for real-time viewing and trend analysis. The control layer issues commands to linked controllers, which execute actions such as opening a blowdown valve or activating a dosing pump, closing the loop between measurement and treatment.

Deployment can be tailored to different environments. Field sensors can transmit measurements through local acquisition equipment or communication gateways to centralized software or cloud-based platforms. This flexibility is useful for facilities with geographically dispersed monitoring points or where records must be retained for operational review. Sensor selection, installation, calibration, and maintenance remain dependent on the application and water characteristics.

The system targets industrial facilities operating cooling towers as part of HVAC or process cooling infrastructure, including manufacturing plants, data centers, and commercial buildings with centralized cooling systems. By triggering chemical dosing and blowdown based on measured thresholds rather than routine intervals, the online water quality monitoring system can effectively reduce errors and delays associated with manual sampling.