Improving the performance of power plant cooling ponds

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2012-08, Vol.105, p.90-95
• Main Author: Lowe, S.A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation of Energy Resources - methods; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Cooling; Cooling pond; Engineering; Facility Design and Construction; Fresh water ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Heat transfer; Hot Temperature; Modelling; Physical model; physical models; Pollution control; Ponds; Power plants; Power Plants - standards; Synecology; Thermal pollution; weirs
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2012.03.046

A study was conducted on the effectiveness of using vertical baffles to improve the thermal performance of power plant cooling ponds. A small scale physical model of a rectangular cooling pond was used. A base case was established using traditional horizontal baffles to create a serpentine flow pattern through the pond. The horizontal baffles were then replaced by a series of underflow weirs that spanned the pond. An improvement in cooling of over 30% was realized. [Display omitted] ► Power plant operation can be constrained by thermal limits imposed on cooling pond discharge water. ► A physical model study of power plant cooling ponds was conducted. ► The performance of vertical baffles was compared to traditional horizontal (serpentine) baffles. ► Cooling improvements of 30% were observed.