| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | ZL-10T |
| Cooling Capacity | 10 RT (35.2 kW heat rejection) |
| Water Flow Rate | 7.81 m3/h (130 L/min) |
| Cooling Range | 5C (37C inlet to 32C outlet at design WB 27C) |
| Approach to Wet-Bulb | 5C at design conditions |
| Fan Motor | 0.37 kW (0.5 HP) 380V 3-phase 50Hz |
| Fan Diameter | 635 mm axial |
| Air Flow Rate | 85 CMM (50,920 m3/h) |
| Head Loss at Design Flow | 13 kPa |
| Tower Dimensions (H x D) | 1820 x 940 mm |
| Dry Weight | 46 kg |
| Operating Weight (filled) | 190 kg |
| Noise Level | 60 dB(A) at 1 m |
| Tower Body Material | FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic) |
| Fan Blade Material | ABS plastic |
| Configuration | Counter Flow Square |
| Voltage | 380V 3-phase 50Hz (customizable 220V/415V) |
| Certifications | CE / ISO 9001:2015 |
| Warranty | 1 year (consumables excluded) |
The ZL-10T's FRP shell and ABS fan tolerate a specific circulating water chemistry envelope. Operating outside these parameters accelerates scaling, biological growth, and corrosion:
pH 6.5-9.0: Below pH 6.5, FRP resin degradation accelerates. Above pH 9.0, scale formation on fill media increases dramatically (calcium carbonate precipitation rate doubles for each 0.5 pH unit above 8.5).
Calcium hardness <500 ppm as CaCO3: Above 500 ppm, the Langelier Saturation Index (LSI) becomes positive, indicating scale-forming tendency. For cooling towers operating in hard-water regions (Midwest US, North China, Middle East), a bleed-off and chemical treatment program is essential.
Conductivity <2,500 µS/cm: High conductivity indicates dissolved solids buildup from evaporation cycles. Blowdown at 2,500 µS/cm maintains cycles of concentration at 3-5, balancing water conservation against scale risk.
Total suspended solids <50 ppm: TSS above 50 ppm causes fill media fouling and biological growth. Side-stream filtration is recommended for installations with TSS-prone makeup water.
The ZL-10T's PVC fill media is the primary heat transfer surface — fouled fill degrades approach temperature by 2-5°C within 6-12 months if untreated. Recommended maintenance protocol:
Quarterly visual inspection (15 minutes): Remove two inspection panels at the air inlet. Use a flashlight to examine fill media surface. Look for: white scale deposits (calcium carbonate), green/black biological film (algae, biofilm), or visible debris accumulation.
Annual wash (3-4 hours): Drain the basin, isolate the tower from chiller loop. Spray fill media with a descaling solution (5% inhibited hydrochloric acid or commercial cooling tower cleaner). Allow 30-minute contact time, then flush with fresh water. Re-fill basin and resume circulation.
Biological growth control: Apply algaecide (typically isothiazolinone-based) at 50-100 ppm initial dose, 10-20 ppm maintenance dose. Apply at the basin inlet during circulation for proper mixing.
The ZL-10T's PVC drift eliminator captures water droplets entrained in the rising air stream. Properly functioning drift eliminators limit water loss to <0.005% of circulation flow. Failed or missing eliminators allow 1-3% drift loss, costing:
At 1% drift with 7.81 m³/h circulation: 0.01 × 7.81 × 24 × 365 = 684 m³/year = 684,000 liters/year wasted. At industrial water rates of USD 0.0015/liter, that's USD 1,026/year per tower in wasted water.
Maintenance procedure: quarterly visual inspection from above the eliminator (look for daylight passing through the eliminator waves — if you can see sky through the eliminator, droplets are bypassing). If damaged, replace the eliminator module (USD 45/set, 30-minute replacement time).
The ZL-10T's 0.37 kW fan motor uses sealed-for-life bearings rated for 50,000 hours at the design ambient temperature of 40°C. At 16 hr/day operation, this equates to 8.5 years of continuous service before bearing replacement.
Annual motor service includes: (1) Verify amp draw is within 10% of nameplate FLA (typically 1.2-1.5 amps for 0.37 kW motor). Higher amp draw indicates bearing wear or impeller fouling. (2) Inspect motor windings for thermal discoloration (a slight yellowing is normal; dark brown indicates overheating). (3) Verify thermal overload setting matches motor nameplate. (4) Check V-belt tension (if belt-driven configuration) at 1% deflection per 10 mm span.
Motor replacement interval: 8-10 years under normal operation. Replacement cost: USD 85 plus 1 hour labor.
For ZL-10T installations in climates where ambient temperature drops below 0°C, freeze protection is essential. The ZL-10T basin holds 190 liters of water at full operating level — this volume freezes within 8-12 hours at -10°C ambient if circulation stops.
Recommended freeze protection:
1. Basin heater: 1 kW electric immersion heater maintains basin water at 4-7°C. Power draw during cold weather: 4-6 hr/day. Annual electricity cost at USD 0.10/kWh: USD 150-220.
2. Continuous circulation: Operate the fan year-round with reduced water flow (50% of summer rate). Prevents ice formation on fill media and piping.
3. Drain-down option: For installations with seasonal operation (e.g., central air conditioning serving summer-only facilities), drain basin and piping before winter. Add automotive-grade antifreeze (propylene glycol, 30% concentration) for residual piping protection.
Failure to implement freeze protection typically results in cracked piping, damaged fill media, and basin cracking — USD 1,500-3,000 in repairs versus USD 220/year in basin heater operating cost.
A properly designed water treatment program extends ZL-10T service life from 8 years (untreated) to 15+ years (treated). The minimum chemical regimen:
Algaecide: Apply at the basin inlet via chemical metering pump. Initial dose 100 ppm; maintenance dose 10-20 ppm weekly. Cost: USD 0.50/gram; annual usage approximately 400 grams for a single ZL-10T = USD 200/year.
Scale inhibitor: Phosphonate-based (HEDP or ATMP) at 5-10 ppm maintenance dose. Applied via chemical metering pump timed with makeup water addition. Cost: USD 0.30/gram; annual usage approximately 300 grams = USD 90/year.
Biocide (alternating with algaecide): Oxidizing biocide (sodium hypochlorite or bromine-based) shock dosed weekly at 1-2 ppm free chlorine equivalent. Controls biofilm that algaecide alone cannot eliminate. Cost: USD 0.10/gram; annual usage approximately 2 kg = USD 200/year.
Blowdown control: Install conductivity-controlled automated blowdown valve. Setpoint 2,200 µS/cm. Saves 30-50% makeup water versus continuous blowdown at fixed rate.
Total water treatment chemical cost: USD 490/year per ZL-10T. Labor for chemical system maintenance: USD 300/year. Total: USD 790/year.
pH 6.5-9.0, calcium hardness <500 ppm as CaCO3, conductivity <2,500 µS/cm, total suspended solids <50 ppm. Operating outside these parameters accelerates scaling, biological growth, and corrosion.
Quarterly visual inspection (15 minutes). Annual wash (3-4 hours) with descaling solution or commercial cooling tower cleaner. Apply algaecide at 50-100 ppm initial dose, 10-20 ppm maintenance dose.
The 0.37 kW fan motor uses sealed-for-life bearings rated for 50,000 hours. At 16 hr/day operation, this equates to 8.5 years. Annual motor service: amp draw verification, thermal discoloration check, V-belt tension adjustment.
Three options: (1) 1 kW basin heater (USD 150-220/year operating cost), (2) continuous winter circulation at reduced flow, (3) drain-down with 30% propylene glycol for residual piping. Freeze damage typically costs USD 1,500-3,000 versus USD 220/year in heater cost.
Algaecide (USD 200/year), scale inhibitor (USD 90/year), biocide (USD 200/year) = USD 490/year chemical cost + USD 300/year labor. Total water treatment cost: USD 790/year per ZL-10T.
Authoritative References: CTI Maintenance Guideline (CTG-100) | ASHRAE Guideline 12 — Minimizing the Risk of Legionellosis
Explore other ZL-10T 10 Ton FRP Counter Flow Cooling Tower variants engineered for different applications:
Zillion has supplied industrial cooling towers since 2009, with FRP counter flow construction as our standard since 2014. The ZL-10T's 7.81 m3/h flow at 5C range and 35.2 kW heat rejection cover the 10-ton process cooling capacity class at 0.37 kW fan power — the lowest power consumption per ton in our ZL series.
Contact: Leika Li, +86 185 2053 2504, Leika@gdzillion.cn. Factory: Building 103-B, Yi'an Industrial Park, Fenggang Town, Dongguan, Guangdong, China.