Cooling System for a Coal Power Plant

Coal 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 water and energy 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 superheated steam by condensing it to saturated steam for cooling can reduce freshwater withdrawal and decrease water contamination and withdrawal-related impacts on aquatic life and the environment. Preheating of saturated steam can give better efficiency. Here we focus on challenges and opportunities for improving water efficiency in the cooling systems of Coal power plants. First, we present the types of cooling systems in a Coal power plant. Then, we illustrate the key criteria for feed water appropriate design and operation guidelines for cooling systems. In order to facilitate the use of saturated steam in coal power plants, we suggest the key technical issues and available water technologies for brackish water desalination.