Cooling Tower Sizing for 20 MW Power Plant in Weymouth, England

In summary, the conversation revolves around the efficiency and feasibility of using cooling towers for a power plant in Weymouth, England. The heat energy to be rejected is 20 MW and there are concerns about the area and necessary calculations. Suggestions are made to utilize the waste heat for other processes and to contact companies for assistance in designing the cooling towers. The idea of introducing cooling towers with calculators is also mentioned as a smart choice.
  • #1
Harkaran Singh
7
0
Hi guys,

I have question regarding cooling towers. I have been asked to check if cooling towers would be efficient and economical to cooling system for a power plant to be installed in Weymouth, England.

As per my calculations, heat to be rejected (in the condenser) from the system is 20 MW.
I'm not familiar with cooling towers and I need help calculating (very roughly) the size of the tower required, parasitic loads, mass flow rate of water and air and quantity of make-up water?

Heat energy to be rejected= 20 MW
Temp of working fluid in the condenser has to be dropped from 30 deg C to 19 deg C
Wet bulb temperature of the area is 9 deg C
Avg temperature of area 14 - 16 deg C
Relative humidity is 85 - 90 %

Any advice would be highly appreciated.
 
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  • #2
Not my field but it seems a shame to be wasting 20MW these days. Got room for some green houses?

http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/content/waste-heat-could-be-harnessed-growing-tomatoes
http://www.gfsa.com/events/greenhouse-to-utilize-co2-waste-heat-from-adjacent-ethanol-plant/
 
  • #3
CWatters said:
Not my field but it seems a shame to be wasting 20MW these days. Got room for some green houses?

http://www.queensu.ca/gazette/content/waste-heat-could-be-harnessed-growing-tomatoes
http://www.gfsa.com/events/greenhouse-to-utilize-co2-waste-heat-from-adjacent-ethanol-plant/
Yes, I agree its a waste. I'm urging the people involved to use this heat in other processes at the site.
Area is a major concern here and that is the reason why I'm interested in the area the cooling tower would occupy
 
  • #4
As I said it's not my field but I found a "rule of thumb" design guide from 1981 that I suppose might help. Not SI units though.

http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/5281927/

It also looks like there are companies producing calculators for their cooling tower products. I think I'd contact one or two that design these for a living to see what they would recommend. They would probably do most of the work for you.
 
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Likes Tom.G and Harkaran Singh
  • #5
CWatters said:
As I said it's not my field but I found a "rule of thumb" design guide from 1981 that I suppose might help. Not SI units though.

http://www.osti.gov/scitech/servlets/purl/5281927/

It also looks like there are companies producing calculators for their cooling tower products. I think I'd contact one or two that design these for a living to see what they would recommend. They would probably do most of the work for you.
This is really helpful. Thank you :D
 
  • #6
That will be smart choice to introduce Cooling Water Towers with Calculator for quick note of issues
 

1. What is a cooling tower and how does it work?

A cooling tower is a device used to remove heat from a power plant or other industrial processes by transferring it to the atmosphere. It works by circulating water over a heat exchange surface, allowing the heat to transfer to the air through evaporation.

2. Why is cooling tower sizing important for a 20 MW power plant?

Cooling tower sizing is crucial because it determines the efficiency and effectiveness of the cooling process. If the cooling tower is too small, it will not be able to remove enough heat and the power plant may overheat. If it is too large, it will be inefficient and waste energy.

3. How is the size of a cooling tower determined for a 20 MW power plant?

The size of a cooling tower for a 20 MW power plant is determined by several factors, including the heat load of the power plant, the ambient temperature, and the desired temperature of the cooling water. The cooling tower must be able to handle the heat load and maintain the desired temperature even on the hottest days.

4. What are the different types of cooling towers that can be used for a 20 MW power plant?

There are several types of cooling towers that can be used for a 20 MW power plant, including natural draft, forced draft, and induced draft towers. Each type has its own advantages and considerations, such as cost, maintenance, and efficiency.

5. Is there a specific formula or calculation for determining the size of a cooling tower for a 20 MW power plant?

Yes, there are several formulas and calculations that can be used to determine the size of a cooling tower for a 20 MW power plant. These include the heat rejection factor, the approach temperature, and the cooling range. It is important to consult with a professional engineer to ensure accurate calculations for a specific power plant.

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