In a cooling tower, increasing the bleed rate will typically do what to the concentration of total dissolved solids?

In a cooling tower, increasing the bleed rate will typically do what to the concentration of total dissolved solids?

• A. Increases TDS concentration
• B. Reduces TDS concentration
• C. No effect on TDS
• D. Increases water consumption

Answer: (B)

Increasing the bleed rate lowers the TDS concentration because you’re removing a larger portion of the circulating water along with its dissolved minerals and replacing it with makeup water that typically has lower mineral content. As solids are washed out more aggressively, the remaining water becomes less concentrated, even though the system still loses water to evaporation. The trade-off is that more makeup water is needed, which raises overall water consumption, but the immediate effect on the dissolved solids in the circulating water is a decrease.

Increasing the bleed rate lowers the TDS concentration because you’re removing a larger portion of the circulating water along with its dissolved minerals and replacing it with makeup water that typically has lower mineral content. As solids are washed out more aggressively, the remaining water becomes less concentrated, even though the system still loses water to evaporation. The trade-off is that more makeup water is needed, which raises overall water consumption, but the immediate effect on the dissolved solids in the circulating water is a decrease.