Discuss US Green Building Council LEED-AP-O+M Exam Topic 2 Question 16

Cooling tower blowdown is necessary because

Atoo much water in the system is inefficient so its water levels must be lowered

Ba buildup of dissolved solids increases conductivity which decreases efficiency

Cexcess water treatment chemical levels corrode pipes and bleed-off reduces chemical levels

Dcold temperatures can freeze pipes if water is not moved and bleed-off prevents that from happening

Suggested Answer: B

LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, p. 1132: LEED v4 - U.S. Green Building Council(https://www.usgbc.org/guide/om)3: What is Blowdown Loss in Cooling Towers?(https://deltacooling.com/resources/faqs/what-is-blowdown-loss-in-cooling-towers).

Cooling tower blowdown is a process used to manage water quality in cooling systems. It involves discharging a portion of the water from the system to control the concentration of dissolved solids and minerals, which accumulate due to the continuous evaporation of water. These dissolved solids can increase the water's conductivity, leading to scale formation, corrosion, and biofouling, all of which can significantly decrease the efficiency and lifespan of the cooling system. By performing blowdown, the system maintains the water quality within acceptable limits, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency of the cooling tower.

The need for cooling tower blowdown due to the accumulation of dissolved solids is discussed within the context of water management practices in cooling systems in the LEED AP O+M documentation. This process is crucial for maintaining system efficiency and is covered under the Water Efficiency category, emphasizing the importance of water management in achieving sustainable building operations.

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33 comments · newest first

Cathrine 10 months ago

Wait, D? Freezing pipes from cold temps? That sounds off.

Jestine 10 months ago

C is crucial! Corrosion is a big deal in cooling systems.

Eliseo 10 months ago

I disagree, A doesn't cover the whole picture.

Hassie 11 months ago

B is spot on! Dissolved solids really mess with efficiency.

Juan 11 months ago

Totally agree with B, gotta keep those solids in check!

Willard 11 months ago

I'm really unsure about this one. A seems off, but I can't quite remember the details on B and C.

Thurman 11 months ago

I feel like I saw a question about freezing pipes before, but I can't recall if that was related to blowdown. D seems plausible.

Trevor 11 months ago

I remember something about chemical levels causing issues, but I'm not sure if that's the main reason. C sounds familiar.

King 12 months ago

I think blowdown is mainly about controlling dissolved solids, so I might lean towards B.

Santos 12 months ago

I think the key here is understanding that cooling towers rely on evaporation to dissipate heat, and that can lead to a buildup of dissolved solids. Blowdown helps maintain the proper water chemistry and prevent efficiency issues. I'm feeling good about option B.

Terrilyn 12 months ago

Ugh, I'm a bit lost on this one. I know cooling towers are used to dissipate heat, but I'm not sure about the specifics of how they work or why blowdown would be necessary. I'll have to guess on this one.

Jospeh 1 year ago

Okay, I've got a good handle on this. Cooling towers need blowdown to prevent a buildup of dissolved solids, which can decrease efficiency. I'm pretty confident that option B is the correct answer.

Cassi 1 year ago

Hmm, this one seems a bit tricky. I'm not totally sure about the specifics of cooling tower operation, but I'll try to reason through the options and see if I can eliminate some of them.

Antonio 1 year ago

I think the key here is understanding why cooling towers need to have water levels lowered. The options mention efficiency, dissolved solids, and corrosion - I'll need to think through which of those is the main reason.

Yuki 1 year ago

B makes the most sense to me. Gotta keep those dissolved solids in check for maximum efficiency.

Sue 1 year ago

↳ replying to Yuki

I never thought about how excess water treatment chemicals can corrode pipes, good point.

Kimberlie 1 year ago

↳ replying to Yuki

I think A is also important, too much water can be inefficient.

Shayne 1 year ago

↳ replying to Yuki

I agree, keeping the dissolved solids in check is important for efficiency.

Kiley 1 year ago

I think D makes sense too, preventing pipes from freezing is important.

Dierdre 1 year ago

Ha! Imagine if the answer was D - letting the water freeze to prevent pipe corrosion. What a way to solve a problem!

Georgiann 1 year ago

↳ replying to Dierdre

B) a buildup of dissolved solids increases conductivity which decreases efficiency

Omer 1 year ago

↳ replying to Dierdre

A) too much water in the system is inefficient so its water levels must be lowered

Krissy 1 year ago

I believe it's C, excess water treatment chemicals can corrode pipes.

Elroy 1 year ago

I agree with Yvette, buildup of dissolved solids affects efficiency.

Desirae 1 year ago

Definitely C. Excess water treatment chemicals can corrode pipes, and bleed-off reduces those levels.

Ona 1 year ago

↳ replying to Desirae

It's crucial to maintain the right balance of chemicals in the system to avoid damage.

Theola 1 year ago

↳ replying to Desirae

Bleed-off is important to reduce those chemical levels and prevent corrosion.

Leatha 1 year ago

↳ replying to Desirae

I agree, excess water treatment chemicals can definitely corrode pipes.

Yvette 1 year ago

I think the answer is B.

Roosevelt 1 year ago

I think B is the correct answer. Buildup of dissolved solids increases conductivity and decreases efficiency.

Alonso 1 year ago

↳ replying to Roosevelt

True, but I think B is more directly related to the issue of cooling tower blowdown.

Tamesha 1 year ago

↳ replying to Roosevelt

But what about A? Having too much water in the system can also be inefficient.

Pedro 1 year ago

↳ replying to Roosevelt

I agree, B is the correct answer. Dissolved solids can really mess up the system.

US Green Building Council LEED-AP-O+M Exam - Topic 2 Question 16 Discussion