Coolclean is a Melbourne-based company that services many areas and suburbs, including Geelong, Melbourne CBD, Frankston, Dandenong, Portland, Ballarat, Shepperton, Wodonga, Campbellfield, Epping, Truganina, Laverton, Tullamarine, Rowville, Thomastown, and many more!
Coolclean specialises in cool rooms, fan coil units, and cooling tower hygiene cleaning. Their primary focus in 2023 is on safety, food quality, increasing product shelf life, cooling performance, legionella control, energy cost savings, and dependability. They have developed problem-solving expertise over the last 33 years, offering their customers cost-effective solutions and important, detailed service reports for food safety auditing.
This year, the guys at Coolclean have given the phrase “kickstart the new year” a run for its money! In only 3 months, the guys have completed around 112 jobs in various locations around Melbourne.
To get more of an insight into Coolclean’s journey so far this year, we had the opportunity to chat with Grant Nichols, who is the Coolclean business manager.
Although Grant is new to Coolclean, he is not new to the industry, as he brings a wealth of knowledge to this position. Grant has 25 years of experience as a food & beverage production hygiene specialist, cooling tower and cooling system manager in heavy industry, light industry, power generation, and commercial institutional applications. He was a qualified air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic with the Air Force, so he knows HVAC as well.
2023 Cool room – Fan coil unit – Cooling tower Cleaning / Servicing
Grant shared with us 15 different case studies from jobs Coolclean has completed so far this year, from drift eliminator cleaning to fan coil unit cleaning, they have done it all!
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Hallam
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Cool Room
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The unit was cleaned and treated using Aeris chemicals.
2. There was a moderate build-up of dirt or mould on the back of the coils, which has now been cleaned off.
The unit is in good overall condition, with no faults for Coolclean to record.
Client: Water Treatment Plant
Location: Flemington, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: Superchill Cooling Tower
Jobs Coolclean performed
1. The cooling tower was disinfected, power washed and pressure cleaned.
2. All drift eliminators were removed, pressure cleaned, and re-fitted.
3. There was a small build-up of dirt and scale within the basin.
4. The drift eliminators required extra support horizontally, as the middle eliminators were starting to bow and drop.
5. There were two valves on the drain line; the one closest to the tower had a broken handle and was left open. (This causes something called “dead leg,” as water is allowed to sit in the length of the pipe to the secondary valve. This water, over time, will grow bacteria and be pushed back into the basin and allowed to circulate through the system).
Coolclean Recommendations
1. Coolclean recommended installing FRP angles on the front and back of the eliminators to provide extra support and an even tighter fit, which overall reduces the chances of any drift from the tower.
2. On this job, Coolclean also noticed that there is only one small platform around this tower, only allowing access to the hatch and one louvre. (This means the three remaining louvres on the tower have not been cleaned from the outside.) It is recommended that an access platform be built so full access is available to the cooling tower.
Client: Dairy Industry
Location: Kyabram, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: Evapco Cooling Tower
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was fully serviced, and pressure cleaned according to Victorian Health Regulations.
2. Condenser coils had mild corrosion.
3. The Drift Eliminators were dirty and also very brittle.
4. The strainer was filled with dirt and muck from basin water.
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Dandenong
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Drains, Pits, Grills, Covers & Trays
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The covers and strainers were removed, and the waste from the strainers were discarded in the site bins.
2. Coolclean applied cleaner and degreaser to the drain, covers and strainers.
3. Coolclean sucked out water and debris from the drains and traps with a wet vacuum, the contents of the vacuum were disposed of at the site’s trade waste plant.
4. The drain, strainers and covers were Pressure-washed.
5. Applied sanitiser to the drain, strainers and covers.
6. Coolclean Refitted all the strainers and covers.
Before After
Client: Cleaning Product Supplier
Location: Braeside, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: BAC Cooling Tower
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was serviced and cleaned.
2. The basin was pressure cleaned, flushed, and wet vacuumed.
3. Sand and garnet was removed from the basin with a shovel and disposed of.
4. All drift eliminators were removed, and pressure cleaned.
5. Pre and post-doses completed.
6. The drift eliminators were very brittle and falling apart due to the gaps within the drift eliminators (this significantly lowers the effectiveness of drift control).
Client: Light Industries
Location: Nobel Park
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Fan Coil Unit 1
Before After
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The fan coil unit was cleaned and treated using Aeris chemicals.
Coolclean Recommendations
1. The back of the coil was covered in a thick build-up of dust/dirt. The coil fins beneath the build-up were found to be extremely brittle, it is likely that bacterial activity ate away at the coil. Due to its poor condition, the coil could not be thoroughly cleaned as this would have caused damage to unit.
2. Coolclean observed that there is corrosion present on the fans.
Client: Logistics Facility
Location: Truganina, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: BAC Cooling Tower
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was pressure cleaned and serviced.
2. The coils were showing mild signs of oxidation.
Coolclean Recommendations
1. The access hatch seal was peeled away from the casing, which requires replacement to prevent leaks and improve the cooling towers efficiency.
2. Drift eliminators were extremely brittle from the age of the cooling tower, so Coolclean recommended a full replacement to prevent future damage.
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Goulburn
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Cooling Tower WXR
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was serviced and recommissioned.
Coolclean Recommendations
1. There was no access ladder to access the access hatch. A platform and ladders must be installed to the cooling towers to gain proper access.
2. The drift eliminators could not be removed as they were extremely brittle and would break upon removal.
3. The air intake louvres had no drainage holes in the bottom of the frames.
Client: Logistics Facility
Location: Allansford, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: BAC Cooling Tower
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was cleaned and serviced.
2. Multiple spray nozzles were missing, which Coolclean installed.
Coolclean Recommendations
1. Coolclean recommended the replacement of the fan belt guard and covers, as they had started to lift off due to corrosion.
2. They also recommended to this client, new drift eliminators as they were very brittle and splitting easily, particularly along the top where the splash deflectors sit.
Overall, Coolclean noted that this cooling tower was in good structural condition and was well Manintaned!
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Cobden
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Fan Coil Unit
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The fan coil unit was cleaned and treated with Aeris chemicals.
2. There was a moderate build-up of dirt on the back of the coil and in the drip tray.
3. Coolclean installed a pvc to pvc rubber joiner in the drip tray so that the tray could be lowered and cleaned.
Client: Pet Food Manufacturer
Location: Wodonga, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: BAC Cooling Tower
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was serviced and pressure cleaned.
2. The drift eliminators were very brittle and heavily damaged, meaning the eliminators would be less effective at preventing drift loss from the cooling tower. (This is a MASSIVE environmental hazard as the drift from a cooling tower contains chemicals that can be breathed in by anyone nearby, and can also potentially harbour harmful bacteria). Coolclean recommended that the drift eliminators be replaced as soon as possible!
Coolclean Recommendations
1. The air intake louvres were very brittle and were breaking apart. Coolclean recommended that this client have them replaced immediately.
2. Coolclean noticed that the cooling tower legs were leaking, and the water is traveling into a nearby stormwater drain. (This is an environmental hazard, and it is recommended that the cooling tower be resealed to stop leaks and prevent chemicals from ending up in the stormwater drain).
3. The basin of the cooling tower is also leaking into the cooling tower supports, this is causing corrosion on the supports and, if left unchecked, could affect the structural integrity of the supports. It is recommended that the basin be resealed.
4. Coolclean recommended that the fill pack be removed and cleaned If the cooling tower is resealed.
5. The fan is striking the side of the casing, it is recommended that repairs be carried out on the fan cowling to prevent a failure of the fan.
Client: Manufacturer Cables
Location: Lilydale, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: Aquacool Cooling Tower
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was serviced, and pressure cleaned.
Coolclean Recommendations
1. There were signs of leakage on the hatch near the inspection port. Coolclean recommended replacing the inspection port.
2. The ball float valve support is showing signs of corrosion, which can impact the level in the basin. Coolclean recommended replacing the ball float valve support.
3. Coolclean noticed the fill packs were showing signs of becoming brittle and peeling off one another. Coolclean recommended replacing them.
(leakage on the hatch)
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Dandenong, Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of system: Crumpet Cool Room
Jobs Coolclean Performed
Unit 1
1. Unit 1 was cleaned and treated using Aeris chemicals.
2. The coils were almost completely blocked by a build-up of flour/dough. Coolclean noted that the whole unit would have been running very inefficiently.
3. There was a large build-up of flour and dough inside the unit, and in the back of the fans. The fans were removed to gain access to the internal section of the unit, and the build-up of dough was removed.
Before After
Unit 2
1. Unit 2 was also cleaned and treated using Aeris chemicals.
2. Unit 2 had an equal amount of heavy detritus.
3. Coolclean was unable to loosen the bolts to remove the fans, as they were heavily corroded and the nut fasteners did not hold.
4. Coolclean noted that the drain was not blocked and worked just fine, but the build-up seemed excessive in the tray.
5. Unit 2 was heavily corroded internally, which causes a risk of debris contaminating the food as the unit overhangs the food conveyor.
Coolclean Recommendations
Coolclean It is highly recommended to this client that they decommission and replace these units.
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Truganina, Laverton Victoria
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Fan coil unit 2
Jobs Coolclean Performed
This unit is in a strange place, according to Coolclean, it is in a production area where it is was constantly sucking in flour, cocoa, etc. This was causing a large build-up within the unit which was blowing debris onto the food that is being stored nearby.
(When not running, the build-up dries out and begins to flake off, it then gets blown out of the unit)
Coolclean Recommendations
1. The paint was flaking off the internal casing, and debris was being blown out of the unit onto the food area, which is an extreme health and safety hazard!
2. Mild corrosion was present on the internal casing.
3. The nuts and bolts in the unit that were used to hold the fans in position were corroded and beginning to fail.
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Lockwood, Bendigo
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Cooling Tower WXR
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The cooling tower was serviced, and pressure cleaned.
2. The drift eliminators could not be removed for the cleaning process due to the air gaps and the clips that hold the eliminators together being very brittle and crumbling away.
Coolclean Recommendations
1. Coolclean noted there is significant drift loss from the cooling tower. Coolclean recommended that the drift eliminators be replaced, and additional air seals be installed.
2. There is no sunlight prevention over the hot deck, and the front of the condenser allows direct sunlight onto the cooling water, which can cause an increase in the operating temperatures and result in higher rates of bacterial growth. Coolclean recommended that sunlight prevention be installed.
3. The grommets for the spray nozzles have become very stiff, preventing the nozzles from being removed and cleaned. This can lead to blockages of the nozzles and cause mud or dirt to build up in the spray arm. It is recommended that the grommets be replaced. The nozzles were becoming brittle, so Coolclean noted that it would be beneficial to replace them at the same time.
Client: Food & Beverage
Location: Fonterra Cobden
Year Completed: 2023
Type of System: Fan Coil Unit
Jobs Coolclean Performed
1. The fan coil unit was serviced and recommissioned.
2. Coolclean assessed the fan coil unit with a forklift and man cage.
3. The bottom tray of the fan coil unit could not be removed safely as it is too large to remove via access with a forklift and only 1 person in the man cage.
Coolclean takes pride in all their work, which is why they like to personalise each procedure and give recommendations to best benefit their clients. Ensure your cooling tower/ cool room is truly up to the hygiene standard and is fully safe and functional!
Get some expert advice today! Give Coolclean a call for a free quote!
CONTACT US
Melbourne
Unit 21, 21-22 National Drive, Hallam VIC 3803
+61 03 8765 9500
service@coolclean.com.au
