Patent ID: 7282156

Claim:
A method of cleaning recirculating water in a cooling tower basin utilizing an integrated portable machine including a mounting carriage, a motor driven centrifugal pump, a debris collecting tool fitted to the pump through a collection hose and through a strainer, a discharge line from the pump to drain, the discharge line having a discharge valve, a prime water connection and a priming water valve fitted to the discharge line between the pump and the discharge valve comprising the steps of: a. adding make-up water to the cooling tower to compensate for water depleted from the tower during cleaning, b. shutting down the cooling tower to allow sediment to settle in the basin prior to cleaning, c. moving the machine into position adjacent a cooling tower basin, d. placing the debris collecting tool under water in the basin, e. shutting the discharge valve, f. opening the priming water valve, g. priming the discharge line, the pump, and the inlet hose up to the collecting tool in the basin, h. operating the pump, i. opening the discharge valve, j. closing the priming water valve, k. straining water and sediment flowing into the pump, and l. evacuating sediment from the basin.