Analysis of alternative sources of cooling water. Final report

Technical Report · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5052654

Ehrhardt, R F; Tucker, R C; Fabian, T R

This study investigated the feasibility of alternatives to fresh, surface water sources for power plant cooling. The alternate water sources of interest included groundwater (particularly from deep or brackish aquifers), municipal wastewater, agricultural return flows, and ocean or estuarine water when used in closed-cycle cooling towers or cooling ponds. (Use of ocean/estuarine sources in ''once-through'' cooling systems has been considered standard practice in most coastal locations for decades.) A literature search focused on the identification of environmental, legal/institutional, technical, and economic constraints on alternate water source use. A sample of US power plants was also conducted to document their experiences with alternate water sources for cooling. Energy and water resource agencies in 70 countries were contacted for relevant data. A planning path methodology was developed for utilities to assess the feasibility of using alternate cooling water sources at specific power plant sites. Significant issues and concerns are associated with the use of alternate cooling water sources. Many alternate sources contain relatively high concentrations of salt and other dissolved solids. When such water is used in cooling towers, salt aerosols may be deposited downwind from the tower, on power plant equipment (causing corrosion), and on transmission lines (which can cause arcing). Offsite adverse effects on vegetation have also been observed. High salt and solids content can necessitate the treatment of alternate sources prior to use to control corrosion and scaling in the power plant cooling system. No technically insurmountable limitations on alternate water source use were identified. Constraints at specific sites may make one or more alternate sources economically infeasible. On the other hand, in some arid locations, alternate water sources may be the only available water supply.

• Research Organization: Dames and Moore, Bethesda, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5052654
• Report Number(s): EPRI-EA-4732; ON: TI87920062
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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COST
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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
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WATER SUPPLY