Balancing cycles and water use
Cycles of concentration compare dissolved constituents in recirculating cooling water with those in make-up water. Increasing cycles can reduce make-up and blowdown but concentrates scale-forming and corrosive species.
Conductivity can be used as a control signal when it correlates reliably with the water chemistry being managed. Chemical treatment, metallurgy and microbiological conditions must still be checked.
The practical target is the highest stable cycle that meets scale, corrosion and microbiological control requirements without causing excessive fouling.