Assessment of once through cooling water control technology
The efficacy of the disposal of waste heat from electric power generation by means of once through cooling systems was examined in the context of the physical aspects of water quality standards and guidelines for thermal discharges. The ranges of water temperature standards and mixing zone requirements were determined for rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters. Various modes of once through cooling water disposal from each of four generic plants were examined in terms of general characteristics of each of the receiving water types. The focus of the examination of the disposal modes, surface and submerged discharges, was the likelihood that a given disposal could be effected within the restrictions of the thermal standards for the given receiving water type. The results of prototype measurements and of model studies of thermal plume behavior were employed to determine generalized and schematic behavior of surface and submerged discharges into the various types of receiving waters. General guidelines were produced that indicated, for a given type of plant, for a given discharge mode, and for a given type of receiving water body, the opportunity for once through cooling water discharge within the given temperature and mixing zone requirements. Similar assessments have been made for all other combinations of plant, discharge, and receiving water types. While specific guidelines are provided for each receiving water type, the general conclusion reached is that submerged multiport diffusers provide the greatest opportunity to meet thermal standards in all environments.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6530491
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-781109-14
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Management of waste heat at nuclear power plants: Its potential impact on the environment and its possible economic use
CORMIX2: An expert system for hydrodynamic mixing zone analysis of conventional and toxic multiport diffuser discharges
Related Subjects
200201* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Waste Management-- Thermal Effluents
COOLING SYSTEMS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
FLOW RATE
FORECASTING
HEAT
LEGAL ASPECTS
MANAGEMENT
ONCE-THROUGH COOLING SYSTEMS
POLLUTION
POWER PLANTS
REGULATIONS
SURFACE WATERS
THERMAL EFFLUENTS
THERMAL POLLUTION
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE HEAT
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER QUALITY