Case Study: Low-Noise T-2175 Cooling Tower for Aquarium Beluga Whale Habitat

Beluga whales need cold, stable water, and they are sensitive to sound. When an aquarium needed to cool the water in its beluga habitat, it chose a CTS Model T-2175 in a low-noise configuration. The tower was installed in 2018.

The challenge

Beluga whales are an Arctic species. In an aquarium, their water must be kept much colder than the surrounding climate, every day of the year. The cooling system that does this has to be reliable, because water temperature affects the animals' health and comfort.

There was a second requirement that most cooling tower projects never face: noise. Belugas are highly vocal animals that rely on sound to communicate and sense their surroundings. Equipment noise near the habitat was a real concern. The aquarium needed enough cooling capacity to hold the water at the right temperature without adding disturbing sound to the animals' environment.

Why the aquarium chose Cooling Tower Systems

The aquarium came to CTS through a referral from a past CTS customer. Word of mouth from someone who has already lived with a CTS tower carries weight, especially on a project where the stakes include live animals.

The solution

CTS supplied a Model T-2175 with the low-noise option. The T-2175 is a 175-ton tower from the T-2 counterflow line, and the low-noise configuration was chosen specifically so the tower would not disturb the belugas.

The rest of the tower's design suits an aquarium setting:

• Non-corrosive FRP. The casing and cold-water basin are fiberglass-reinforced polyester, so they do not rust in a wet, chemically treated environment.
• Enclosed fill. The fill and water distribution sit inside the FRP casing, out of direct sunlight, which helps limit algae growth on the wetted surfaces.
• Simple drive. Models through the T-2200 use a direct-drive fan motor, so there are no belts or gearboxes to maintain.
• Long warranty. 20 years on the FRP casing and cold-water basin for U.S. orders.

Like other T-2 models in this size range, the T-2175 ships in factory-built sections and is assembled on site. CTS lists the T-2150 to T-2175 range at 21 total assembly man-hours (3 workers, 7 hours each). See the assembly instructions and rigging guide.

The result

The aquarium got a cooling tower sized to keep its beluga habitat at the right temperature, configured for low noise to protect the animals' environment, and built from materials that hold up to constant water exposure. The tower has been part of the habitat's cooling system since 2018.

Need cooling where noise matters?

Aquariums, hospitals, schools, and sites near homes often need quieter equipment. Tell us about your noise limits when you request a quote. You can also read about our counterflow tower design. More projects: T-2500 wastewater treatment in Griffin, GA and T-2400 tennis court comfort cooling.