Wooden Cooling Tower Manufacturer inKenya

Can Treated Pine Be Used in Wooden Cooling Towers?

Short Answer: Yes, but with limitations. Treated pine is a cost-effective alternative to naturally durable woods like redwood or cedar, but its performance depends on treatment quality, water chemistry, and maintenance.

Pros & Cons of Treated Pine in Cooling Towers

Factor	Pros	Cons
Cost	Cheaper than redwood/cedar	Higher lifetime cost if replaced often
Rot Resistance	Good (if properly treated)	Less durable than redwood long-term
Chemical Treatment	ACQ/CCA protects against fungi	CCA banned in some regions (toxic arsenic)
Maintenance	Requires frequent inspections	Re-treatments needed every 5–10 years
Lifespan	10–15 years (vs. 20–30 for redwood)	Degrades faster in chlorinated water

When to Use Treated Pine?  Budget Constraints – Lower upfront cost than redwood/cedar.
 Non-Chlorinated Water – Avoid if water has high chlorine/bromine (accelerates

decay).
 Replaceable Parts – Best for fill media, walkways (not structural beams).

When to Avoid Treated Pine?

 High Chlorine/Bromine Water – Leads to rapid wood breakdown.
 Long-Term Installations – Redwood/cedar last longer with less maintenance.
 Marine Environments – Saltwater speeds up leaching of preservatives.

Best Treatment for Cooling Tower Pine

1. ACQ (Alkaline Copper Quaternary)
   1. Pros: Arsenic-free, good fungal/termite resistance.
   1. Cons: Corrodes galvanized steel (use stainless fasteners).
2. MCA (Micronized Copper Azole)
   1. Pros: Low toxicity, decent penetration.
   1. Cons: Less effective in high-pH water.
3. Avoid CCA (Chromated Copper Arsenate)
   1. Toxic arsenic leaching risks (banned in many countries).

Maintenance Tips for Treated Pine Towers

• Annual Inspections: Check for rot, cracks, or fastener corrosion.
• Reapply Preservatives: Copper naphthenate every 3–5 years.
• Upgrade Fill Media: Use PVC fills instead of wood slats for longer life.
• Monitor Water Chemistry: Keep pH neutral (7–8.5), limit chlorine.

Alternative Woods for Cooling Towers

Wood Type	Lifespan	Best For
Redwood	25–30+ yrs	Structural frames, harsh environments
Western Cedar	20–25 yrs	Louvers, decking
Treated Pine	10–15 yrs	Budget fills, walkways

Final Recommendation

• For Critical Structures (beams, casing): Use redwood/cedar.
• For Fill Media/Walkways: Treated pine (ACQ/MCA) is acceptable if maintained.
• For Chlorinated Water: Avoid pine; use PVC fills + redwood framing.