Westpak San Diego Case Study
DATA SUMMARY:
96% reduction in blowdown, significant chemical consumption reduction, tremendous system control
OVERVIEW
Westpak is a 3rd party, independent test laboratory specializing in services such as product reliability testing, accelerated aging, and package testing. Serving essential industries such as biotech, pharmaceutical, military, and electronics for over 30 years, Westpak has grown to become one of the leading test laboratories in the United States’ production, pharmaceutical, and defense industries.
The San Diego facility’s cooling system is mission-critical to the provision of these services. If the cooling system were to operate at reduced efficiencies due to poor system control, these tests would be at risk of being compromised and severely impact Westpak’s core business.
OUR SOLUTION
In 2017, Capture H2O installed the High Cycle program. This program utilizes dual alternating, high-efficiency softeners installed on the makeup line to the fluid coolers to control the scaling minerals calcium and magnesium. Since 2017, Westpak has realized the following benefits:
1. Hardness has been kept to 1 ppm or lower in the feed water to the towers and an average of 15 ppm in the tower from February 2017 to January 2024.
2. The water in the cooling system has had an average conductivity of 43,200 uS, corresponding to an average of 54 cycles of concentration.
3. Blow down has been reduced to 1.8% of the makeup water. This is a 48.2% reduction in water consumption and a 96.4% reduction in blowdown to the drain.
4. Bacteria growth, measured by ATP tests, has had an average of 16.93 rlus with a maximum of 92 rlus and zero positive Legionella tests, well within the control range.
5. An environment has been created that controlled corrosion for the galvanized, mild steel and copper metals in the system while feeding virtually zero corrosion inhibitors.
CUSTOMER:
Westpak San Diego
PROGRAM:
High cycle
PROJECT SCOPE:
2 fluid coolers providing chilled water to testing processes
DATA SUMMARY:
96% reduction in blowdown, significant chemical consumption reduction, tremendous system control
SUMMARY
Westpak San Diego is a model site for cooling water innovation and leadership. The Capture H2O High Cycle Program has led to a 96% reduction in blowdown, significant chemical consumption reduction, and tremendous system control.
