What is the purpose of using copper sulfate in cooling towers?

Using copper sulfate in cooling towers serves primarily as an algaecide, which helps to prevent the growth of algae and other microbial organisms in the water system. Algae can not only obscure heat transfer surfaces and diminish the efficiency of the cooling system, but they can also lead to fouling of equipment and potential operational issues. By maintaining a clear cooling system free from algae, copper sulfate contributes to improved efficiency and reliability of the cooling tower operation.

In addition to its role in controlling biological growth, copper sulfate can also have some impact on other problems like slime formation in the system, further enhancing overall water quality within cooling systems. While cooling towers require careful management of water chemistry, including pH and scaling, copper sulfate's primary purpose directly relates to inhibiting biological growth, particularly algae, in this context.