to prevent algae?

Question

to prevent corrosion in cooling towers

Answer 1

Potassium permanganate, armazide, copper sulfate, and algimycin MT4 are some of the the most common algicides used with cooling towers.

Algimycin MT4 is the most potent, but it is a mercury based compound that must remain within a closed system due to it extreme toxic effects. Its use is banned in some nations.

Armazide is the next most potent chemical, made of ammonium or amine salts. This product has moderate to high toxicity if released into the environment.

Potassium permanganate is highly toxic for several days when released into the environment, but it reacts with iron and other dissolved ions, which eliminates the toxic effects. This chemical is the best choice in towers that discharge cooling water back into a river. The effluent can be discharged into holdings ponds that neutralize the toxicity before discharging the water back into a river.

Copper sulfate needs relatively high concentrations to kill algae, and while it is widely used, it is not nearly as effective as the other chemicals listed here.