Water treatment for cooling systems has three primary objectives: corrosion, deposition and microbiological control. System components with high temperatures on heat-transfer surfaces are most vulnerable to inorganic scaling. Heat exchangers that have process leaks are susceptible to organic fouling from poor microbiological control. Similarly, components with high-surface temperatures on heat-transfer surfaces are the most vulnerable to corrosion. Corrosion can occur under inorganic deposits through differential aeration and under organic deposits - microbiological-induced corrosion (MIC) - due to the acidic nature of the biological processes.

Chemical treatment options. The selection of the correct program requires matching key characteristics of the system with the various treatment programs and the users' objectives.