M.Ing. / Water gives life. It waters the fields of farmers; it nurtures the crops and stock of rural communities; it provides recreation for our children, our friends, our families; it supports our power generation, our mines, our industry, and the plants and animals that make up ecosystems. Water is the key to development and a good quality of life in South Africa. South Africa's water belongs to its people. It is the task of the South African Government to care for this water, to seek its fair distribution, and to facilitate its wise use for, amongst other things, social and economical development. Issues such as water resource management, use, protection, water services, etc., are presently governed by a number of policies, acts and regulations. All South Africans has a responsibility regarding the management of the country's resources. The supply of water to its entire people makes it extremely important to optimise the use of this scarce source. Access to water and water availability remains a key factor in ensuring the sustainability of development in Southern Africa. The coal fired power industry is a major user of natural resources; coal for fuel and water for steam generation as well as the cooling systems. It is estimated that 1.5% of the water abstracted in South Africa is used for power generation. The power industry receives its water mainly as abstraction from surface impoundments in the form of rivers and dams. Eskom, as a strategic user of water, is mindful of the importance of water to its business, as well as the development of the country. In addition to the interests of the government as the shareholder, Eskom recognises the legitimate interests, as stakeholders, of specific government departments, employees, consumers, suppliers, investors and lenders of capital, rating agencies, the media, policy and regulatory bodies, trade unions, non-governmental groups and local communities in its affairs. Eskom needs to ensure, through an effective water management strategy, that water is used wisely and effectively and that Eskom's impact on local water resources (surface and underground) is minimised. Eskom therefore has to manage water resources in a manner that will sustain the ecological integrity, support social development and ensure economic growth. Eskom has undertaken to benchmark the power generation industry, in co-operation with the DW AF, in a project aimed at developing the principles of water conservation and water demand management. In order to effectively manage water quality and quantity at Eskom's power stations, and to show Eskom's commitment with regard to water conservation and use, Eskom has compiled its own water and environmental policies.

Neste trabalho foi realizada a modelagem fenomenológica do desempenho de uma torre de resfriamento de água e de um sistema de duas torres de resfriamento em série, com temperatura de água de entrada de até 65 ºC. Verificou-se a validade do modelo através de comparação dos resultados previstos com os obtidos em ensaios em uma unidade piloto. Em seguida, através de simulação matemática, a partir do modelo desenvolvido, foi feito o estudo de diversos casos de aplicação. Estudou-se a influência das principais variáveis de operação (vazão de ar, vazão de água e temperatura de bulbo úmido) no desempenho de torres de resfriamento acopladas (em série e em paralelo) e no custo operacional. Verifica-se que a variável de maior influência é a vazão de água que circula pela torre. / This is a study about the phenomenological modeling of the performance of a water cooling tower and a system of two cooling towers in series, with water temperature input up to 65°C. The validity of model was verified by comparing the expected results with those obtained in tests on a pilot plant. After this, through a mathematical simulation, based on the model developed, several cases of application were analyzed. It was studied the influence of main operating variables (air flow, water flow and wet bulb temperature) on the performance of couples cooling towers (in series and parallel) and on operational cost. It was verified the most influential variable is the water flow rate through the tower.

Neste trabalho foi realizada a modelagem fenomenológica do desempenho de uma torre de resfriamento de água e de um sistema de duas torres de resfriamento em série, com temperatura de água de entrada de até 65 ºC. Verificou-se a validade do modelo através de comparação dos resultados previstos com os obtidos em ensaios em uma unidade piloto. Em seguida, através de simulação matemática, a partir do modelo desenvolvido, foi feito o estudo de diversos casos de aplicação. Estudou-se a influência das principais variáveis de operação (vazão de ar, vazão de água e temperatura de bulbo úmido) no desempenho de torres de resfriamento acopladas (em série e em paralelo) e no custo operacional. Verifica-se que a variável de maior influência é a vazão de água que circula pela torre. / This is a study about the phenomenological modeling of the performance of a water cooling tower and a system of two cooling towers in series, with water temperature input up to 65°C. The validity of model was verified by comparing the expected results with those obtained in tests on a pilot plant. After this, through a mathematical simulation, based on the model developed, several cases of application were analyzed. It was studied the influence of main operating variables (air flow, water flow and wet bulb temperature) on the performance of couples cooling towers (in series and parallel) and on operational cost. It was verified the most influential variable is the water flow rate through the tower.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The confidence level of modeling cooling towers, where oblique air flow within anisotropic fills takes place, is higher when the change in fill‟s performance cha-racteristics, dependent on the way that air flows through the fill, is better unders-tood. A trickle fill‟s performance characteristics in crossflow are compared to its per-formance characteristics in counterflow by doing crossflow fill tests that are per-formance comparable to counterflow tests with the same fill. In order to do these tests, an existing crossflow fill test facility is critically evaluated and improved. The difference between crossflow and counterflow trickle fill performance charac-teristics is found to depend on air mass velocity (Ga) and water mass velocity (Gw) and to be between 0 and 35% for the Merkel number (Me) and up to almost 200% for the loss coefficient. Additionally, the validity of a recently developed 2-dimensional evaporative cool-ing model is investigated by comparing its predictions to experimental results. The following conclusions are made: - For trickle fill and rain zone tests, the model, with the present assumptions, predicts the average temperature of the outlet air to within approximately 0.4 °C. - Currently, temperature profiles that are experimentally measured at the air and water outlets are subject to significant edge effects, which prevent a fair com-parison to model predictions. - The model predictions can be improved if local variations in Me and the redi-stribution of water by the fill are taken into account. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die betroubaarheid van die modellering van koeltorings, waar lug skuins deur anisitropiese pakking (of “fill” in Engels) vloei, is hoër indien die verandering in die pakking se verrigtingseienskappe, wat afhang van die manier waarop die lug deur die pakking vloei, beter verstaan word. „n Drup pakking (of “trickle fill” in Engels) se verrigtingseienskappe in kruisvloei word vergelyk met dié in teenvloei deur kruisvloei pakking toetse, wat direk vergelykbaar is met teenvloei toetse vir dieselfde pakking, te doen. Ten einde hieredie toetse te doen, word ʼn bestaande kruisvloei toets fasiliteit krities ondersoek en verbeter. Dit word bevind dat die verskil tussen die drup pakking se kruisvloei en teenvloei verrigtingseienskappe afhang van lug massa snelheid (Ga) en water massa snelheid (Gw) en 0 tot 35% is vir die Merkel getal (Me) en so groot as 200% is vir die verlies koëffisiënt. Verder word die geldigheid van ʼn 2-dimensionele nat-verkoelingsmodel wat onlangs ontwikkel is ondersoek deur die model se voorspellings te vergelyk met eksperimentele resultate. Die volgende gevolgtrekkings word gemaak: - Die model, met huidige aannames, voorspel die gemiddelde uitlaat lug temperatuur met ʼn afwyking van ongeveer 0.4°C. - Die temperatuur profiele wat eksperimenteel gemeet word by die lug en water uitlate is onderworpe aan noemenswaardige rand effekte, wat ʼn behoorlike vergelyk met model voorspellings verhoed. - Die model se voorspelling van die profiele kan verbeter word indien die lokale variasies in Me en die herverdeling van die water deur die pakking in ag geneem kan word.

Thesis (MScEng (Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Cooling tower rain zone performance characteristics such as the loss coefficient and the Merkel number are evaluated and simulated. To this end the influence of drop diameter and drop deformation on the velocity, path length and cooling of single water drops are investigated. Experimental drop size and pressure drop data over a counterflow rain zone are presented and the effect of drop deformation on the pressure drop is investigated using the experimental data and CFD. Using the experimental drop size data and CFD, the performance uncertainty produced by using the Rosin-Rammler drop distribution function as opposed to the discrete drop distribution data is investigated. CFD models are developed to investigate the feasibility of modelling rain zones by assuming a constant drop diameter and to establish which diameter definition is the most representative of a particular polydisperse drop distribution. These models were used to validate the correlations for the rain zone performance characteristics proposed in literature.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: During the last 30 years I have been involved in the theory and practice of thermal engineering and in particular, in the areas of air-cooled heat exchangers and cooling towers for the power, refrigeration, process and petrochemical industries in South Africa and internationally. During this period, I have authored and co-authored more than 120 papers that were published in technical journals or presented at conferences nationally or internationally. Most of these papers are included in a manuscript entitled "Air-cooled Heat Exchangers and Cooling Towers", in which Ipresent a systematic approach to the thermal performance evaluation and design of industrial air-cooled heat exchangers and cooling towers. This original publication also includes the relevant practice applicable to the design of cooling systems, based on my experience as a consultant to industry. Design offices throughout the world presently follow our design methods, or at least employ many of our research results. Our work has furthermore contributed to the development of improved cooling system designs (e.g. new dephlegmator header designs), components (e.g. single-row flattened finned tubes) and product improvement and quality control (e.g. performance testing and measurement of thermal contact resistance between fin and tube during production). Many of our research findings have found application in the modification of existing cooling systems. The manuscript has also been used as reference work during the presentation of short courses to practising engineers and consultants in industry and to engineering graduates at the University of Stellenbosch. A two-volume edition of this manuscript was published by PennWell Corp., Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA in 2004. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Gedurende die laaste 30 jaar was ek betrokke by die teorie en praktyk van lugverkoelde warmteoordraers en koeltorings vir die kragopwekkings-, verkoelings-, proses- en petro-chemiesenywerhede in Suid-Afrika sowel as in die buiteland. Gedurende hierdie periode was ek outeur en mede-outeur van meer as 120 publikasies wat in tegniese tydskrifte, of by plaaslike of oorsese konferensies aangebied is. Die meeste van hierdie publikasies vorm deel van 'n manuskrip getiteld "Air-cooled Heat Exchangers and Cooling Towers" waarin ek 'n sistematiese benadering tot die bepaling van die termiese vermoë en ontwerp van industriële lugverkoelde warmteoordraers en koeltorings aanbied. Hierdie oorspronklike publikasie bevat ook die relevante praktyk wat van toepassing is op verkoelingsaanlegte. Ontwerpkantore wêreldwyd volg tans hierdie ontwerpsmetodes, of gebruik ten minste baie van ons navorsingsresultate. Ons werk het verder bygedra tot die ontwikkeling van verbeterde verkoelingsaanlegte (bv. nuwe deflegmatore), komponente (bv. enkelbuisry platvinbuise ) en verbeterde produkte en kwaliteitskontrole (bv. toetsing van verkoelingsvermoë oftermiese kontakweerstand tussen vin en buis gedurende produksie). Baie van ons bevindinge het toepassing gevind in die modifikasie van verkoelingsaanlegte. Die manuskrip is ook as verwysing gebruik gedurende die aanbieding van kort kursusse aan ingenieurs in die praktyk en aan nagraadse studente aan die Universiteit van Stellenbosch. 'n Twee-volume uitgawe van die manuskrip is deur PennWell Corp., Tulsa, Oklahome, VSA in 2004 gepubliseer.

Thesis (PhD) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the design of a modern natural draught wet-cooling tower (NDWCT), structural and performance characteristics must be considered. Air flow distortions and resistances must be minimised to achieve optimal cooling which requires that the cooling towers must be modelled two-dimensionally and ultimately threedimensionally to be optimised. CFD models in literature are found to be limited to counterflow cooling towers packed with film fill, which is porous in one direction only and generally has a high pressure drop, as well as purely crossflow cooling towers packed with splash fill. This simplifies the analysis considerably as the effects of flow separation at the air inlet are minimised and fill performance is determined using the method of analysis originally employed to determine the fill performance characteristics from test data. Many counterflow cooling towers are, however, packed with trickle and splash fills which have anisotropic flow resistances, which means the fills are porous in all flow directions and thus air flow can be oblique through the fill, particularly near the cooling tower air inlet. This provides a challenge since available fill test facilities and subsequently fill performance characteristics are limited to purely counter- and crossflow configuration. In this thesis, a CFD model is developed to predict the performance of NDWCTs with any type of spray, fill and rain zone configuration, using the commercial code FLUENT®. This model can be used to investigate the effects of different: atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles, air inlet and outlet geometries, air inlet heights, rain zone drop size distributions, spray zone performance characteristics, variations in radial water loading and fill depth, and fill configurations or combinations on cooling tower performance, for optimisation purposes. Furthermore the effects of damage or removal of fill in annular sections and boiler flue gas discharge in the centre of the tower can be investigated. The CFD modelling of NDWCTs presents various options and challenges, which needed to be understood and evaluated systematically prior to the development of a CFD model for a complete cooling tower. The main areas that were investigated are: spray and rain zone performance modelling by means of an Euler-Lagrangian model; modelling of air flow patterns and flow losses; modelling of fill performance for oblique air flow; modelling of air pressure and temperature profiles outside and inside the cooling tower. The final CFD results for the NDWCT are validated by means of corresponding one-dimensional computational model data and it is found that the performance of typical NDWCTs can be enhanced significantly by including protruding platforms or roundings at the air inlet, reducing the mean drop size in the rain zone, radially varying the fill depth and reducing the air inlet height. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: By die ontwerp van ‘n moderne natuurlike trek nat koeltoring (NTNK), moet strukturele en werkverrigtings eienskappe in ag geneem word. Wanverdeelde lugvloei en vloeiweerstande moet geminimaliseer word om optimale verkoeling te bewerkstellig, wat vereis dat die koeltorings twee-dimensioneel en uiteindelik driedimensioneel gemodelleer moet word om hulle te kan optimeer. Dit is gevind dat berekeningsvloeidinamika (BVD of “CFD” in engels) modelle in die literatuur, beperk is tot teenvloei koeltorings gepak met film tipe pakking, wat net in een vloeirigting poreus is en boonop gewoonlik ook ‘n hoë drukval het, sowel as suiwer dwarsvloei koeltorings met spatpakking. Hierdie vergemaklik die analise aansienlik omdat die effekte van vloeiwegbreking by die luginlaat verklein word en die pakking se werkverrigtingsvermoë bereken kan word met die analise metode wat oorspronklik gebruik is om die pakkingseienskappe vanaf toets data te bepaal. Baie teenvloei koeltorings het egter drup- (“trickle”) of spatpakkings met anisotropiese vloeiweerstand, wat beteken dat die pakking poreus is in alle vloeirigtings en dat die lug dus skuins deur die pakking kan vloei, veral naby die koeltoring se lug inlaat. Hierdie verskaf ‘n uitdaging aangesien beskikbare pakking toetsfasiliteite, en dus ook pakking karakteristieke, beperk is tot suiwer teenvloei en dwarsvloei konfigurasie. ‘n BVD model word in hierdie tesis ontwikkel wat die werkverrigtingsvermoë van NTNK’s kan voorspel vir enige sproei, pakking en reënsone konfigurasie deur van die kommersiële sagteware FLUENT® gebruik te maak. Hierdie model kan gebruik word om die effekte van verskillende: atmosferiese temperatuur- en humiditeitsprofiele, lug inlaat en uitlaat geometrië, lug inlaat hoogtes, reënsone druppelgrootteverdelings, sproeisone werkverrigtingskarakteristieke, variasie in radiale waterbelading en pakking hoogte, en pakking konfigurasies of kombinasies op koeltoringvermoë te ondersoek vir optimerings doeleindes. Verder kan die effekte van beskadiging of verwydering van pakking in annulêre segmente, en insluiting van ‘n stoomketel skoorsteen in die middel van die toring ondersoek word. Die BVD modellering van NTNK bied verskeie moontlikhede en uitdagings, wat eers verstaan en sistematies ondersoek moes word, voordat ‘n BVD model van ‘n algehele NTNK ontwikkel kon word. Die hoof areas wat ondersoek is, is: sproeien reënsone modellering mbv ‘n Euler-Lagrange model; modellering van lugvloeipatrone en vloeiverliese; modellering van pakking verrigting vir skuins lugvloeie; modellering van lugdruk- en temperatuurprofiele buite en binne in die koeltoring. Die BVD resultate word mbv van data van ‘n ooreenstemmende eendimensionele berekeningsmodel bevestig en dit is bevind dat die werkverrigting van ‘n tipiese NTNK beduidend verbeter kan word deur: platforms wat uitstaan of rondings by die luginlaat te installeer, die duppelgrootte in die reënsone te verklein, die pakkingshoogte radiaal te verander, en die luginlaathoogte te verlaag.

Amebas de vida livre (AVL) são protozoários amplamente distribuídos na natureza e em ambientes artificiais. Alguns gêneros são oportunistas ou patogênicos, com característica anfizóica, são esses: Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., Balamuthia spp., Sappinia spp., e recentemente Vermamoeba spp. AVL podem servirem de reservatórios de várias bactérias patogênicas, uma vez que se alimentam dessas no ambiente por fagocitose, algumas espécies de bactérias após internalizadas escapam da via de degradação sobrevivem e multiplicam-se no interior das amebas. Face ao exposto, o presente trabalho objetivou isolar e identificar AVL e as bactérias associadas presentes em águas de torres de resfriamento, cuja temperatura da água varia entre 25 a 30°C (ideal para o desenvolvimento de diversos microrganismos). Amebas foram isoladas em cultivo monoxênico com Escherichia coli inativadas pelo calor. Das amostras positivas, foram realizadas Reações em Cadeia de Polimerase (PCR), utilizando oligonucleotídeos específicos para cada gênero. Os produtos das PCR foram sequenciados e as sequências geradas foram comparadas com sequências parciais de cada gene alvo depositadas no GenBank. Das 36 amostras, 33 (91,66%) foram positivas para presença de AVL, destas 15 (45,4%) foram positivas para Acanthamoeba spp., 12 (36,3%) para Naegleria spp., 6 (18,2%) para Vermamoeba spp. Dos endossimbiontes pesquisados, somente Pseudomonas spp. foram identificadas em 13 (39,3%) isolados de AVL. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo confirmam a presença de amebas de vida livre potencialmente patogênicas e carreadoras de bactérias patogênicas oportunistas que podem representar um risco à saúde humana. / Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa widely distributed in natural and artificial environments. Some genus are opportunistic or pathogenic, with anfizoic feature : Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., Balamuthia spp., Sappinia spp., and recently Vermamoeba spp. AVL may serve as reservoirs for various pathogenic bacteria, since they feed by phagocytosis in the environment, some species of bacteria after internalized escape to the pathway of degradation surviving and multiplying within the amoebae. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify FLA and their associated bacteria present in water from cooling tower, whose temperature water varies between 25 to 30 °C (ideal for the development of different organisms). Amoebae were isolated in monoxenic cultivation with Escherichia coli inactivated by heat. Of the positive samples Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) were performed using specific primers for each genus. The PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were generated compared with partial sequences of each gene target deposited in GenBank. From the 36 samples, 33 (91.66%) were positive for the presence of FLA. Of these, 15 (45.4%) were positive for Acanthamoeba spp., 12 (36.3%) for Naegleria spp. and 6 (18.2 %) for Vermamoeba spp. Of the amoeba isolated, 13 (39.3%) were associated to bacteria wich belong to Pseudomonas genus (100%). Another bacteria investigated were absent. The results of this study confirm the presence of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae as vehicles of opportunistic/pathogenic bacteria that can pose a risk to the human health.

[pt] O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito biocida do ácido peracético (APA) em águas de sistemas de resfriamento, de forma a buscar alternativas ao uso do cloro, que é corrosivo e reage com a matéria orgânica natural ou sintética presentes na água, formando subprodutos tóxicos. Para atingir este objetivo, experimentos utilizando amostras de água retiradas da bacia de uma torre de resfriamento de uma indústria química foram realizados. Ensaios foram executados utilizando-se uma solução comercial de APA, mantendo-se concentrações do biocida em 1,0 mgL-1 e 2,0 mgL-1 em pH 8,0 e 8,8. Cada condição de estudo foi monitorada ao longo de 5 dias, e contagens de bactérias heterotróficas mesófilas totais foram realizadas tanto antes da aplicação do biocida como em diferentes tempos de contato do biocida com a microbiota natural da água. Os tempos de contato monitorados foram de 5 min, além de 1, 2 e 4 h por dia considerando a aplicação do biocida em períodos totais de 4 h por dia. Com esta metodologia foi possível concluir que as duas dosagens aplicadas foram eficientes no combate aos microrganismos presentes naturalmente nas amostras de água, nos dois valores de pH estudados. A partir de uma carga microbiana natural da água de 106 a 107 UFC/mL, após o tratamento houve uma redução para contagens de no máximo de 104 UFC/mL em todos os experimentos, limite máximo esse adotado pelas indústrias para carga microbiana em águas de sistemas de resfriamento, entretanto, houve maior eficiência, cerca de 10 vezes maior, quando 2,0 mgL-1 de APA foi aplicado. Além disso, em pH 8,0 a ação do biocida também foi superior em 10 vezes em detrimento ao pH 8,8 para a mesma concentração de APA. / [en] The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocidal effect of peracetic acid (PAA) in cooling water, in order to find alternatives to the use of chlorine, which is corrosive and reacts with natural and synthetic organic matter present in water, forming toxic byproducts. To achieve this goal, experiments using water samples taken from a basin of a chemical industry cooling tower were conducted. Experiments were performed using a commercial PAA solution, with concentrations of 1,0 mgL-1 and 2,0 mgL-1 and pH 8,0 and 8,8. Each study condition was monitored for 5 days and total mesophilic heterotrophic bacteria counts were made without biocide and after different contact times of the biocide and microorganisms present in water. The contact times were 5 min, and 1, 2 and 4 h per day, considering the application of the biocide in total periods of 4 h per day. This methodology has allowed concluding that two dosages applied were efficient in controlling microorganisms at the two pH values. From a water natural microbial count of 106 to 107 UFC/mL, after treatment there was a reduction to maximum counts to 104 UFC/mL in all experiments, that being the upper limit adopted by industries for microorganisms in cooling water systems. However, the results were 10 times more efficient when 2,0 mgL-1 of PAA were applied. In addition, at pH 8,0 the biocidal action was 10 times higher in comparison to pH 8,8 for the same PAA concentration.

Amebas de vida livre (AVL) são protozoários amplamente distribuídos na natureza e em ambientes artificiais. Alguns gêneros são oportunistas ou patogênicos, com característica anfizóica, são esses: Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., Balamuthia spp., Sappinia spp., e recentemente Vermamoeba spp. AVL podem servirem de reservatórios de várias bactérias patogênicas, uma vez que se alimentam dessas no ambiente por fagocitose, algumas espécies de bactérias após internalizadas escapam da via de degradação sobrevivem e multiplicam-se no interior das amebas. Face ao exposto, o presente trabalho objetivou isolar e identificar AVL e as bactérias associadas presentes em águas de torres de resfriamento, cuja temperatura da água varia entre 25 a 30°C (ideal para o desenvolvimento de diversos microrganismos). Amebas foram isoladas em cultivo monoxênico com Escherichia coli inativadas pelo calor. Das amostras positivas, foram realizadas Reações em Cadeia de Polimerase (PCR), utilizando oligonucleotídeos específicos para cada gênero. Os produtos das PCR foram sequenciados e as sequências geradas foram comparadas com sequências parciais de cada gene alvo depositadas no GenBank. Das 36 amostras, 33 (91,66%) foram positivas para presença de AVL, destas 15 (45,4%) foram positivas para Acanthamoeba spp., 12 (36,3%) para Naegleria spp., 6 (18,2%) para Vermamoeba spp. Dos endossimbiontes pesquisados, somente Pseudomonas spp. foram identificadas em 13 (39,3%) isolados de AVL. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo confirmam a presença de amebas de vida livre potencialmente patogênicas e carreadoras de bactérias patogênicas oportunistas que podem representar um risco à saúde humana. / Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa widely distributed in natural and artificial environments. Some genus are opportunistic or pathogenic, with anfizoic feature : Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria spp., Balamuthia spp., Sappinia spp., and recently Vermamoeba spp. AVL may serve as reservoirs for various pathogenic bacteria, since they feed by phagocytosis in the environment, some species of bacteria after internalized escape to the pathway of degradation surviving and multiplying within the amoebae. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify FLA and their associated bacteria present in water from cooling tower, whose temperature water varies between 25 to 30 °C (ideal for the development of different organisms). Amoebae were isolated in monoxenic cultivation with Escherichia coli inactivated by heat. Of the positive samples Polymerase Chain Reactions (PCR) were performed using specific primers for each genus. The PCR products were sequenced and the sequences were generated compared with partial sequences of each gene target deposited in GenBank. From the 36 samples, 33 (91.66%) were positive for the presence of FLA. Of these, 15 (45.4%) were positive for Acanthamoeba spp., 12 (36.3%) for Naegleria spp. and 6 (18.2 %) for Vermamoeba spp. Of the amoeba isolated, 13 (39.3%) were associated to bacteria wich belong to Pseudomonas genus (100%). Another bacteria investigated were absent. The results of this study confirm the presence of potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae as vehicles of opportunistic/pathogenic bacteria that can pose a risk to the human health.