Optimizing sustainability in hybrid cooling towers: Investigating fouling resistance, water quality correlations, modeling, and cleaning strategies for thermal power plants

Abstract

This research explored the intricacies of water consumption and energy requirements within cooling systems designed for concentrated solar power plants. In the present work, an innovative hybrid cooling tower was presented and studied, aiming at reducing water consumption and preserving power generation efficiency. Experimental cooling towers were studied with four different cooling water qualities, elucidating that, compared to kaolinite, calcium carbonate has a substantial influence on fouling behavior as an additive to the cooling water. Through the establishment of correlations between water quality and critical fouling parameters such as fouling resistance Rf, deposition rates mf, and fouling thickness εf, the study provided valuable insights for predicting fouling behavior in similar operating conditions. Furthermore, the development and validation of a numerical code with both literature and experimental work was helpful in predicting the thermal performance of hybrid cooling along one-year operation. The assessment of three cleaning methods; water jet, air jet, and chemical cleaning, revealed distinct impacts on heat transfer and associated costs. Particularly noteworthy were the substantial improvements in heat transfer efficiency, especially with air jet cleaning, which enhanced heat transfer of the polymer bundles by 6.1% with no water consumption. These findings not only portend cost-effective maintenance practices but also endorse environmentally friendly approaches by significantly curtailing water usage, a pivotal progression in the sustainability of hybrids cooling systems.