Prepared Discussion of: Capital and Service Contract Reverse Osmosis Systems at TVA's Fossil Plants

摘要

The authors are to be commended for presentation of a subject that is not only timely, but also pertinent to the electric utility industry. Impending deregulation of the US power industry has created a need for utilities to find ways to become more efficient while maintaining high plant availability. Many Owners are studying the concept of outsourcing as a means of reducing costs. Water treatment is a primary candidate for outsourcing because it is labor intensive and the maintenance costs can become excessive as the original equipment ages. Outsourcing of the boiler makeup water treatment represents a means of avoiding or deferring major capital expenditures and allowing a reduction in plant staffing levels.