A REVIEW OF THERMAL POWER PLANT INTAKE STRUCTURE DESIGNS AND RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

摘要

The widespread national concern about the environmental impact of large steam-electric power plants is well known and has been the subject of considerable legislation and debate for several years, Although much of the publicized concern for the aquatic environment has focused on plant effluents and their thermal and chemical characteristics, the plant outfall represents only half of the interface with this environment. This report deals primarily with the other half of the interface--the intake structure where water is withdrawn from the water body for subsequent in-plant usage consisting largely of turbine condenser cooling. A review of present designs and the pertinent characteristics of various water bodies serving as coolant sources to the plants is followed by a discussion of biological considerations in intake design. An attempt is made to match biological and technological demands and some economic data are presented, A review of concepts presently under development is provided and conclusions and recommendations are offered. Finally, an appendix detailing eight representative designs is included.