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Title: Assessment of the once-through cooling alternative for central steam-electric generating stations

Abstract

The efficacy of the disposal of waste heat from steam-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. Typical thermal standards for each of the four classes of water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters) were identified. The mixing and dilution characteristics of various discharge modes ranging from simple, shoreline surface discharges to long, submerged multiport diffusers were examined in terms of the results of prototype measurements, analytical model predictions, and physical model studies. General guidelines were produced that indicate, for a given plant capacity, a given type of receiving water body, and a given discharge mode, the likelihood that once-through cooling can be effected within the restrictions of typical thermal standards. In general, it was found that shoreline surface discharges would not be adequate for large power plants (greater than or equal to 500 MW) at estuarine and marine coastal sites, would be marginally adequate at lake sites, and would be acceptable only at river sites with large currents and river discharges. Submerged multiport diffusers were found to provide the greatest likelihood of meeting thermal standards in all receiving watermore » environments.« less

Authors:
;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
5984160
Report Number(s):
ANL/WR-78-5
TRN: 79-022137
DOE Contract Number:  
W-31-109-ENG-38
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ONCE-THROUGH COOLING SYSTEMS; COST; ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS; PERFORMANCE; SURFACE WATERS; THERMAL POLLUTION; POLLUTION REGULATIONS; THERMAL POWER PLANTS; NUMERICAL DATA; TABLES; WASTE HEAT; COOLING SYSTEMS; DATA; DATA FORMS; ENERGY; ENERGY SOURCES; HEAT; INFORMATION; POLLUTION; POWER PLANTS; REGULATIONS; WASTES; 200101* - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Cooling & Heat Transfer Equipment & Systems; 200202 - Fossil-Fueled Power Plants- Waste Management- Noxious Gas & Particulate Emissions; 520400 - Environment, Aquatic- Thermal Effluents Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Paddock, R. A., and Ditmars, J. D. Assessment of the once-through cooling alternative for central steam-electric generating stations. United States: N. p., 1978. Web. doi:10.2172/5984160.
Paddock, R. A., & Ditmars, J. D. Assessment of the once-through cooling alternative for central steam-electric generating stations. United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5984160
Paddock, R. A., and Ditmars, J. D. 1978. "Assessment of the once-through cooling alternative for central steam-electric generating stations". United States. https://doi.org/10.2172/5984160. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/5984160.
@article{osti_5984160,
title = {Assessment of the once-through cooling alternative for central steam-electric generating stations},
author = {Paddock, R. A. and Ditmars, J. D.},
abstractNote = {The efficacy of the disposal of waste heat from steam-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. Typical thermal standards for each of the four classes of water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal waters) were identified. The mixing and dilution characteristics of various discharge modes ranging from simple, shoreline surface discharges to long, submerged multiport diffusers were examined in terms of the results of prototype measurements, analytical model predictions, and physical model studies. General guidelines were produced that indicate, for a given plant capacity, a given type of receiving water body, and a given discharge mode, the likelihood that once-through cooling can be effected within the restrictions of typical thermal standards. In general, it was found that shoreline surface discharges would not be adequate for large power plants (greater than or equal to 500 MW) at estuarine and marine coastal sites, would be marginally adequate at lake sites, and would be acceptable only at river sites with large currents and river discharges. Submerged multiport diffusers were found to provide the greatest likelihood of meeting thermal standards in all receiving water environments.},
doi = {10.2172/5984160},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5984160}, journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1978},
month = {Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1978}
}