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Title: Assessment of once through cooling water control technology

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6530491

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-31-109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6530491
Report Number(s):
CONF-781109-14
Resource Relation:
Conference: Environmental control symposium, Washington, DC, USA, 28 Nov 1978
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English