Water Treatment Chemicals For Cooling Towers
Protect your cooling system with advanced chemical treatments designed to prevent scale, corrosion, and biological fouling.
Well-maintained cooling towers help preserve the longevity and performance of your entire operation. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor the condition of your system and apply the right cooling tower chemicals; that’s precisely where B & V Chemicals can help.
Why Cooling Towers Need Chemical Treatment
Cooling towers, by the nature of their operation, are susceptible to scale, corrosion and microbial growth; the correct selection and application of cooling tower water treatment chemicals are an integral part of the strategy of maintaining safe and efficient water systems. HSG274 Part 1 guides the control of Legionella bacteria in evaporative cooling systems.
Cooling tower chemical treatments offer many benefits. Prevention of scale build-up, microbial growth, such as legionella bacteria, and prevention of system corrosion caused by oxidation and chemical reactions.
With regular, monitored application of effective cooling tower chemicals, you can rest assured that your water systems are working efficiently and in line with industry regulations. This will provide a reliable water cooling infrastructure that meets your evolving needs.
Key Chemicals Used in Cooling Tower Water Treatment
Scale Inhibitors
Scale inhibitors work by preventing the bui,ldup of scale-forming mineral deposits. They achieve this by either inhibiting the growth of existing scale crystals, preventing new ones from forming, or dispersing existing scale particles. This helps maintain the efficiency of the cooling tower and extends the life of the equipment.
Corrosion Inhibitors
Cooling towers are at risk from corrosion, which can weaken equipment and contaminate water if not treated correctly. Chemical corrosion inhibitors work by interfering with the electrochemical reactions that occur and cause metals to corrode. Corrosion inhibitors contain components to mitigate corrosion and help extend the lifespan of your equipment.
Biocides & Algaecides
Biocides and algaecides are chemicals used in water treatment to prevent microbial growth, such as algae, fungi, and bacteria such as Legionella. They include oxidising and non-oxidising treatments, which will help support and maintain clean and efficient water conditions.
Dispersants & Antifoaming Agents
Biofilm buildup within a system will greatly inhibit the heat transfer efficiency of the system as well as block pipework. A build-up of biofilm within a system will also encourage the growth of Legionella bacteria and may promote the formation of under-deposit corrosion. Bio-dispersants can be incorporated in the treatment regime for cooling towers in several ways, including within the formulations of some of our range of scale and corrosion inhibitors. Antifoam agents are usually kept on hand for the rare occasions that foaming occurs within a cooling system.
How to Choose the Best Water Treatment Chemicals
Selecting The Right Cooling Tower Chemicals For Your System
Legislation requires that cooling towers must prevent the proliferation of Legionella bacteria within these systems as a precaution against the outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease. It is therefore critical that the correct treatment regime is implemented and regular checks are carried out to ensure that conditions within the system are kept under control. When choosing the best chemical water treatment for your cooling tower, there are several factors to consider, such as:
- Water quality
- System metallurgy
- Manufacturer specifications
- Treatment control systems
- Regulatory compliance
- Cost-effectiveness
- Industry requirements
- Environmental impact
At B & V Chemicals, we’ll work with you to assess your current setup and introduce the most effective cleaning chemicals for your cooling tower.
Get Expert Advice On Cooling Tower Chemical Treatment
Need help selecting the right chemicals and water treatment for your cooling system? You’re in the right place. Our experts are on hand to answer your questions and recommend the right cooling tower chemicals for you.

Scale and Corrosion Inhibitors
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV46 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles | Concentrated all organic corrosion and scale inhibitor for soft waters. Suitable for water hardness 25 – 250ppm |
| BV664 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles | All organic corrosion inhibitor for medium hardness waters. |
| BV48 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles. | Medium strength all organic corrosion inhibitor for high hardness waters. |
| BV45 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles & sodium bromide | All organic corrosion inhibitor for naturally soft waters. Contains sodium bromide for cost effective generation of hypobromous acid when dosed with sodium hypochlorite. |
| BV50 | Silicate based soft water inhibitor | Concentrated low toxicity silicate based corrosion inhibitor for naturally soft and softened water. |
| BV52 | Sodium molybdate based soft water inhibitor | Concentrated high molybdate based corrosion inhibitor designed for soft water. Benefits from some hardness being present. |
| BV1260 | Sodium molybdate based soft water inhibitor | Cost effective molybdate based soft water inhibitor. Benefits from some hardness being present |
| BV540 | A blend of phosphonates, phosphates, polymers and azoles. | A phosphate based product specifically designed for the passivation of Galvanised towers. |
| BV250 | Supplementary product to control phosphates where there are high levels of phosphates in make-up water. | A blend of polymeric dispersants. |
| BV197 | Zinc based corrosion and scale inhibitor | A zinc based corrosion inhibitor for cooling towers. |
| BV472 | An acidic zinc based aqueous solution. | A specialist scale and corrosion inhibitor for use in cooling systems, can processing, pasteurisation, and sterilisers. |
Scale Inhibitors
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV456 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles & sodium bromide | All organic corrosion inhibitor for medium hardness waters. Contains sodium bromide for cost effective generation of hypobromous acid when dosed with sodium hypochlorite. |
| BV457 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles & sodium bromide | All organic corrosion inhibitor for high hardness waters. Contains sodium bromide for cost effective generation of hypobromous acid when dosed with sodium hypochlorite. |
| BV785 | Silicate based soft water inhibitor & sodium bromide | Concentrated low toxicity silicate based corrosion inhibitor for naturally soft and softened water. Contains sodium bromide for cost effective generation of hypobromous acid when dosed with sodium hypochlorite. |
| BV974 | Zinc based corrosion and scale inhibitor & sodium bromide | A zinc based corrosion inhibitor for cooling towers. Contains sodium bromide for cost effective generation of hypobromous acid when dosed with sodium hypochlorite. |
Corrosion Inhibitors
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV1437 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles & biodispersant | All organic corrosion inhibitor for low hardness waters. Contains biodispersant. |
| BV1436 | A blend of phosphonates, polymers and azoles & biodispersant | All organic corrosion inhibitor for high hardness waters. Contains biodispersant |
| BV1435 | Silicate based soft water inhibitor & biodispersant | Concentrated low toxicity silicate based corrosion inhibitor for naturally soft and softened water. Contains biodispersant |
| BV1438 | Sodium molybdate based soft water inhibitor & biodispersant | Cost effective molybdate based soft water inhibitor. Benefits from some hardness being present. Contains biodispersant |
Oxidising Biocides
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV54 | 14/15% sodium hypochlorite + biodispersant | A chlorine-based biocide for the treatment of cooling towers. Dosed 1:1 with BV1422 to generate hypobromous acid |
| BV102 | Sodium Hypochlorite | Sodium hypochlorite 14/15% |
| BV138 | Concentrated sodium bromide solution | A solution of sodium bromide for the treatment of cooling towers. Dosed 1:3 with BV54 to generate hypobromous acid. |
| BV476 | Bromine tablets | A mixture of brominated and chlorinated hydantoins.Releases both bromine and chlorine in the form of hypobromous acid and hypochlorous acid. The product should be dosed using a purpose built brominator to ensure good dose control. |
| BV1422 | Sodium Bromide solution | A solution of sodium bromide for the treatment of cooling towers. Dosed 1:1 with BV54 to generate hypobromous acid. |
Non-Oxidising Biocides
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV63 | Concentrated THPS based biocide & biodispersant | Low toxicity. Excellent against Pseudomonas spp, Legionella spp and algae. Concentrated formulation. The biodispersant in the formulation enhances biocidal activity, removes biofilm and prevents the formation of additional biofilm. |
| BV66 | Contains a polymeric quaternary ammonium compound | Very effective algaecide for use in open cooling systems and swimming pools |
| BV67 | Quaternary ammonium chloride | A broad spectrum disinfectant and biocide. Effective against Legionella. Effective in heavily soiled systems. Good surfactant properties. Rapid biocidal action. |
| BV105 | BNP | A broad-spectrum bactericide. Low toxicity. Effective against Legionella. |
| BV529 | DBNPA | Has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria and their spores, fungi, also effective against Legionella spp. Rapid biocidal action. |
| BV963 | Biodispersant | Extremely low foaming. Improves the effectiveness of any biocide programme. |
| BV1507 | Glutaraldehyde | Has a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria and their spores, fungi, also effective against Legionella spp. Rapid biocidal action. Concentrated product. |
| BV1528 | Proprietary | A highly effective non-oxidising biocide containing a synergistic combination of biocides. Ideal for use in closed circuit or open cooling systems. Effective against, Pseudomonas spp and Legionella spp. |
Antifoam
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV2 | Mineral Hydrocarbon | Versatile antifoam which can be used in open cooling, process water and waste water treatment applications. Low dose rate, long lasting antifoam |
Pack Cleanse Range
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV740 | phosphoric acid and surfactant | Foam cleaning detergent for the cleansing of cooling tower pack. Forms a stable wet foam that is able to slowly flow through the tower packing. Mildly acidic so as to remove inorganic scales. An effective alternative cleaning solution where it is not possible to remove cooling tower pack. |
| BV743 | Contains stabilised chlorine dioxide. | A powerful disinfectant for use in the cleaning and disinfection of cooling tower packing. Activated when mixed with BV740 or BV741. |
| BV744 | Silicone based antifoam | De-foamer for use in cooling tower foam cleaning. Breaks down stable acidic foam. Apply to the tower sump at the end of the pack cleaning procedure. |
| BV745 | Contains acid and chlorine neutralisers. | Neutraliser for use in cooling tower foam cleaning |
Specialist on-line descaler for cooling towers
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV846 | Contains a unique polyphosphonate. | A very effective calcium carbonate and calcium sulphate scale inhibitor which also effectively removes calcium carbonate scale on-line during normal cooling tower operation. |
Acid descalers
| Product code | Composition | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| BV8 | Mineral oil based antifoam | Gives foam control during descaling operations. |
| BV13 | Aliphatic amine based corrosion inhibitor | Confers corrosion inhibition during descaling with Hydrochloric acid |
| BV42 | Sulphamic acid crystals | Mild acid descaler. Crystals. Dissolve in water to produce a 5 – 10% solution. |
| BV41 + BV42 | Sulphamic acid crystals + amine based corrosion inhibitor. | A highly active combination of acid cleaner and descaler with corrosion inhibitor to protect carbon steel, copper and brass against acid attacks. It can be used on a wide variety of metals including stainless steel. Dissolve crystals in water to produce a 5 – 10% solution then add inhibitor as instructed on product data sheet. |
| BV78 | 28% Hydrochloric acid. | For acid descaling. |
| BV231 | Sulphamic acid solution | Ready to use Sulphamic acid descaler. |
| BV532 | Formic acid + corrosion inhibitor | Less corrosive than hydrochloric acid. Recommended for stainless steel. Corrosion inhibitor included. |
| BV1535 | Hydrochloric acid 32% + corrosion inhibitor | A highly active acid cleaner and descaler. Also includes a corrosion inhibitor to protect bare metal surfaces particularly carbon steel. Removes both calcium and iron deposits. |