What immediate action is recommended when the condenser water temperature is higher than desired?

When the condenser water temperature is higher than desired, increasing the speed of the cooling tower fans is an effective immediate action. This approach enhances the cooling efficiency of the system. By increasing fan speed, more air is drawn through the cooling tower, which helps to improve the heat exchange process. This increase in airflow allows for a greater amount of heat to be removed from the condenser water, thereby reducing its temperature more quickly.

In cooling tower operations, the fans play a crucial role in facilitating the evaporation of water, which is essential for cooling the condenser water. The more air that comes into contact with the water, the more efficient the cooling process will be, resulting in a drop in temperature.

Other approaches, such as decreasing the flow rate of the condenser water or throttling the discharge valve, might not address the immediate need for reducing the high temperature effectively. Shutting down the cooling tower would obviously halt the cooling process entirely and is not a practical or advisable immediate action. Increasing fan speed is a quick and effective response to mitigate high condenser water temperatures and maintain the system's performance.