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Title: Cooling water use in thermoelectric power generation and its associated challenges for addressing water-energy nexus

Abstract

Thermoelectric power plants traditionally have required huge volumes of water to condense steam from the turbine exhaust. The complex interdependency between water and energy poses new challenges for policy makers to achieve a safe, secure and sustainable supply of energy and water in the future. Cooling systems are the most water-intensive part of the thermoelectric generation process, presenting significant opportunities to reduce the withdrawal and consumptive use of fresh water. Reuse of impaired water for cooling system can reduce freshwater withdrawal and decrease water contamination and withdrawal-related impacts on aquatic life and the environment. Here we focus on challenges and opportunities for improving water efficiency in the cooling systems of thermoelectric power plants. First, we present the types of cooling systems in a thermoelectric power plant. Then, we illustrate the key chemistry criteria of feed water quality for cooling systems. Furthermore, we use this information to determine an appropriate design and operation of cooling systems. In order to facilitate the use of impaired water in cooling systems, we suggest the key technical issues and available water technologies for brackish water desalination.

Authors:
ORCiD logo; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
OSTI Identifier:
1437864
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1476070
Report Number(s):
INL/JOU-18-44297-Rev000
Journal ID: ISSN 2588-9125; S2588912517300085; PII: S2588912517300085
Grant/Contract Number:  
104-2911-I-002-576; MOST 107-3113-E-007-002; MOST; AC02-06CH11357; AC07-05ID14517
Resource Type:
Journal Article: Published Article
Journal Name:
Water-Energy Nexus
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Name: Water-Energy Nexus Journal Volume: 1 Journal Issue: 1; Journal ID: ISSN 2588-9125
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
Netherlands
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; water consumption; water withdrawal; energy-efficient technology; zero liquid discharge; fit-for-purpose use; thermoelectric power plants; power plant reliability

Citation Formats

Pan, Shu-Yuan, Snyder, Seth W., Packman, Aaron I., Lin, Yupo J., and Chiang, Pen-Chi. Cooling water use in thermoelectric power generation and its associated challenges for addressing water-energy nexus. Netherlands: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.1016/j.wen.2018.04.002.
Pan, Shu-Yuan, Snyder, Seth W., Packman, Aaron I., Lin, Yupo J., & Chiang, Pen-Chi. Cooling water use in thermoelectric power generation and its associated challenges for addressing water-energy nexus. Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wen.2018.04.002
Pan, Shu-Yuan, Snyder, Seth W., Packman, Aaron I., Lin, Yupo J., and Chiang, Pen-Chi. 2018. "Cooling water use in thermoelectric power generation and its associated challenges for addressing water-energy nexus". Netherlands. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wen.2018.04.002.
@article{osti_1437864,
title = {Cooling water use in thermoelectric power generation and its associated challenges for addressing water-energy nexus},
author = {Pan, Shu-Yuan and Snyder, Seth W. and Packman, Aaron I. and Lin, Yupo J. and Chiang, Pen-Chi},
abstractNote = {Thermoelectric power plants traditionally have required huge volumes of water to condense steam from the turbine exhaust. The complex interdependency between water and energy poses new challenges for policy makers to achieve a safe, secure and sustainable supply of energy and water in the future. Cooling systems are the most water-intensive part of the thermoelectric generation process, presenting significant opportunities to reduce the withdrawal and consumptive use of fresh water. Reuse of impaired water for cooling system can reduce freshwater withdrawal and decrease water contamination and withdrawal-related impacts on aquatic life and the environment. Here we focus on challenges and opportunities for improving water efficiency in the cooling systems of thermoelectric power plants. First, we present the types of cooling systems in a thermoelectric power plant. Then, we illustrate the key chemistry criteria of feed water quality for cooling systems. Furthermore, we use this information to determine an appropriate design and operation of cooling systems. In order to facilitate the use of impaired water in cooling systems, we suggest the key technical issues and available water technologies for brackish water desalination.},
doi = {10.1016/j.wen.2018.04.002},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1437864}, journal = {Water-Energy Nexus},
issn = {2588-9125},
number = 1,
volume = 1,
place = {Netherlands},
year = {Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}

Journal Article:
Free Publicly Available Full Text
Publisher's Version of Record at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wen.2018.04.002

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Works referencing / citing this record:

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