Cooling tower water additives are used to:

• A. Reduce the formation of scale and algae
• B. Increase Corrosion
• C. Increase Energy Consumption
• D. Decrease Thermal Efficiency

Answer: (A)

Cooling tower water additives are used to prevent fouling of heat transfer surfaces by minerals and biological growth. By keeping minerals from forming scale and by controlling algae and biofilms, these chemicals help maintain clean heat transfer surfaces, which preserves heat transfer efficiency and protects equipment. That’s why the best choice is to reduce the formation of scale and algae. Additives aren’t intended to increase corrosion or raise energy use; in fact, some additives include corrosion inhibitors to protect metal parts, and reducing fouling generally helps keep energy consumption and thermal efficiency aligned with design expectations. The other options describe outcomes that would harm performance, not support it.