Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates
LABORATORY KNOWLEDGE CENTER · CW-04

Cooling Water Analysis

Engine cooling water chemistry directly affects the service life of heat exchangers, cooling passages, and cylinder liners. Maintaining correct inhibitor levels and water quality prevents scale formation, corrosion, and microbiological fouling. ORDNEX coordinates cooling water testing through qualified UAE-based laboratory partners.

PURPOSE & ENGINEERING VALUE

Why Cooling Water Analysis Matters

Cooling water that is outside specification causes gradual and often invisible damage. Scale deposits reduce heat transfer efficiency, accelerating engine temperatures. Corrosive water attacks liner walls, cooler plates, and pump impellers from the inside.

Regular chemical testing at three-month intervals enables corrective treatment before damage accumulates, and confirms that inhibitor top-up procedures are maintaining correct protective levels.

Typical Sampling Intervals
  • ·Main and auxiliary engine coolant: every 3 months
  • ·Central freshwater cooling: every 3 months
  • ·After inhibitor top-up: within 48 hours
  • ·After cooler repair or system flush
  • ·At drydocking (post-clean verification)
Typical Report Turnaround

24 to 72 hours depending on the parameter set requested.

ORDNEX coordinates testing through qualified laboratory partners. Turnaround times are subject to laboratory capacity and sample condition.

TEST PARAMETERS

Analysis Parameters & Interpretation

pHCooling water pH must be maintained within 7.5–9.5 to protect aluminium, cast iron, and copper alloy components from corrosion.
Chloride ContentElevated chloride indicates seawater ingress through cooler leaks. Chloride above 50 ppm accelerates pitting corrosion in steel and aluminium.
Total HardnessHigh hardness causes scale deposition on heat exchanger surfaces, reducing thermal transfer efficiency and potentially blocking coolant passages.
Corrosion Inhibitor LevelNitrite, molybdate, or organic inhibitor concentrations must be within the manufacturer's specified maintenance range to protect metal surfaces.
Glycol ConcentrationFreeze protection in cold climates and boil-over protection. Glycol degradation produces acidic by-products that accelerate corrosion.
ConductivityHigh conductivity indicates dissolved ionic contaminants. Excessive conductivity accelerates electrochemical corrosion of dissimilar metal joints.
Iron & Copper ContentDissolved metal ions indicate active corrosion of cooling passages, cooler tubes, or heat exchanger plates.
Microbiological CountBacterial and fungal growth in cooling systems causes biofouling, filter blocking, and localised pitting corrosion (MIC).
TYPICAL APPLICATIONS

System Categories

·Main engine jacket water cooling
·Auxiliary engine cooling loops
·Air cooler freshwater circuits
·Central freshwater cooling systems
·Lubrication oil cooler circuits
·Hydraulic oil cooler loops
·Industrial process cooling water
·HVAC chilled water systems
INDUSTRIES SERVED

Operational Sectors

·Commercial Shipping
·Ship Management Companies
·Offshore Support Vessels
·Power Generation
·Industrial Manufacturing
·Marine Service Companies
·Shipyards
·Government Technical Organisations
LABORATORY INTAKE

Submit a Cooling Water Analysis Request

Provide system type, inhibitor product in use, last treatment date, and any observed symptoms. ORDNEX will coordinate collection and laboratory routing.