Naperville, Ill., May 4, 2004--Nalco Company today unveiled its most advanced cooling water treatment, control and monitoring technology. 3D TRASAR continuously monitors the key parameters related to cooling system stress. When upsets are detected, 3D TRASAR automatically takes an appropriate corrective action and communicates with system users. By combining innovative chemistry, advanced control and monitoring equipment, and sophisticated modeling software, 3D TRASAR delivers the most comprehensive approach to cooling system management available, while lowering the user's Total Cost of Operation.

"Our customers constantly search for more efficient ways to meet their customers' needs and expectations," says Dr. William Joyce, chairman and chief executive officer for Nalco. "Nalco understands that helping them utilize more variable water sources, responding to upsets faster, informing system users of potential problems, and automatically taking appropriate, necessary, and corrective actions provides them a real competitive advantage. They reduce their total cost of operation by operating their cooling systems at the highest possible efficiency, without worrying about problems which could impact asset reliability or availability."

3D TRASAR uses a combination of patented technologies to monitor stresses on system and detect conditions that can lead to scaling. When necessary, the program will make adjustments to chemical dosage and blowdown. It will also take into account how the changes in the stress levels will affect the system and make adjustments. Through 3D TRASAR, all aspects of cooling system operation can be viewed through the customer interface of the 3D TRASAR Web site. Alarms signaling out-of-spec conditions can be sent through text messages or emails. Cause and effect can be evaluated by reviewing all aspects of cooling system treatment and operation at a glance.

Field trials of 3D TRASAR demonstrated potential savings to customers in several areas of their water systems. A chemical cleaning necessitated by a fouled heat exchanger could cost from $5,000 to $20,000; repair of a failed chiller could cost $50,000 to $500,000 depending on the nature of the failure. The ability to monitor and control a water system in real time keeps these vital systems operational at peak efficiency levels, regardless of demands being placed on the system. During the trials, customers saved up to $2,200 per day by keeping critical systems online during key production periods.

"We bring a level of monitoring, control, and communication that was unavailable in the marketplace," says Dr. Joyce. "Stresses on cooling water systems can cause significant reductions in efficiency and interruptions in the cooling water process. 3D TRASAR allows managers a pre-emptive strike against the effects of stress to bring their systems to a level that will provide optimal efficiency."

Nalco is the leading provider of integrated water treatment and process improvement services, chemicals, and equipment programs for industrial and institutional applications. The company currently serves more than 60,000 customer locations representing a broad range of end markets. It has established a global presence with more than 10,000 employees operating in approximately 130 countries, supported by a comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices, and research centers. In 2003, Nalco achieved sales of $2.8 billion.