Steam Electric Station Research Articles

TVA’s Air Quality Management Program

This article reviews the TVA air quality control and studies program since 1950 when the first large coal-burning steam-electric generation station was authorized. It identifies the principal atmospheric emission from both power and chemical operations and describes methods and progress for controls. The scope and magnitude of operations are reviewed. Summary accounts of principal study activities such as engineering appraisals, preoperational documentation, postoperational monitoring, and special diffusion studies are presented. Special studies have included (1) A 5-yr program for definition of plume dispersion rates for principal dispersion models; (2) a 3-yr study of plume rise from plants having a wide range of unit sizes, unit configurations, and stack heights; and (3) a 2-yr study for definition of inversion breakup from large power plant plumes. A summary description is also provided of the air quality program related to the 3,456-MWe Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant.

Epifauna and Thermal Additions in the Upper Patuxent River Estuary

In the upper Patuxent Estuary environmental changes in temperature, salinity, and turbidity over a 5-year period are linked to changes in epifaunal production and species distribution. During 1967 a series of monthly panels showed dry weight production averaged 2.8 times greater in a steam electric station heated effluent than in the intake. A downriver shift in epifanual production in 1967 and changes in species abundance was noted and attributed to natural changes in salinity and turbidity and man-induced changes in temperature.

Temperature Distribution in the Susquehanna River at Brunner Island Steam Electric Station

The author describes the results of some research on temperature distribution and flow patterns in the Susquehanna River at Brunner Island Steam Electric Station. The effect of the plant’s warm condenser water discharge as well as the effect of the sun and the contour of the river bottom are investigated.

Power Station Structural Steel and Concrete Chimneys

Two important phases of the design of civil engineering features on steam electric stations are the structural steel and the concrete chimneys. The first part of the paper examines structural steel design criteria and methods of analysis. The second part examines problems encountered in the design, construction, and operation of tall concrete chimneys.

Civil Engineering and the Modern Steam-Electric Station

This paper emphasizes some features that are incorporated in steam electric station design to produce a plant type that is suitable, with minor alterations, for many locations having diverse geologic and topographic conditions. These plants use minimum enclosures, with equipment located as near as possible to ground level. Continuing study has evolved more economical designs of many plant components, such as the use of silos rather than bunkers for coal storage, with considerable cost savings. Chimneys are selected for long service and suitability for a particular site, with less emphasis on initial investment. A pleasing balance between plant elements has been achieved with minimum architectural treatment.

Civil Engineering Design on TVA Steam Station

The Tennessee Valley Authority has 11,550 megawatts of capacity installed or under construction in nine modern steam electric stations, all constructed since 1949. The individual stations are designed for a total ultimate capacity ranging from 1,200 megawatts to more than 4,000 megawatts. All of these stations were designed by the Division of Design of the TVA, and this paper examines the civil engineering design practices developed in regard to site layout; location and orientation of powerhouses; condenser cooling water facilities; highway, railroad, and water transportation provisions; access of transmission facilities; concrete substructures of powerhouses; structural steel framing of powerhouses; and concrete chimneys. This paper is written to serve as a basis for comparison with similar design practices of other organizations and to stimulate critically constructive discussion of these design features.

Systems engineering for automation of a large power station

Steam electric power stations tend to be more powerful, more valuable, and more complex with each new design. The utility systems engineer is, consequently, in continual search of better techniques in design, construction, and operation. Considered here are the means which may be used in designing an automated plant control system to assure optimum integration of man and machine for greatest operating reliability

Air Binding in Water Pipelines

The presence of stabilized air pockets in pipelines can seriously reduce the water carrying capacity of the line. In fact, this condition, often termed air binding, may entirely prevent flow. This article reviews the mechanism of air binding and discusses a few practical methods of eliminating it. The discussion involves water pipelines of l5‐102 inches in diameter, including cross‐country water supply conduits and the condenser circulating water systems for steam electric power stations. Air binding in very small diameter pipe introduces somewhat different problems which are beyond the scope of this article.

Cooling Water for Steam Electric Stations on Tidewater

Brief review of number of tidewater cooling installations in California without presenting analysis of mechanical and hydraulic features of systems; factors which must be considered in providing system of lowest initial cost and minimum operating expense with high degree of reliability and availability.

Regla Steam Electric Station

Paper describes design of 4-unit, high viscosity oil fueled steam electric station; design of foundations to cope with stiff clay, rock strata, and slag deposits; aspects of outdoor type construction, strengthening gantry crane, and ventilating louvres for turbogenerator housings; outdoor type of construction was found ideal for ventilation but had disadvantages during driving rains, therefore sides were enclosed with corrugated asbestos.

The Operational Information System and Automation of Sterlington Steam Electric Station

The system for scanning and logging operational data at Sterlington Electric Station is described. This advanced system includes the sensors, scanning equipment, analog-to-digital converters, data storage, computer, and various output presentations. Operating experience and problems associated with incorporation of the system into normal plant operation are described.

Cooling Water for Steam Electric Stations on Tidewater

Brief review of number of tidewater cooling installations in California without presenting analysis of mechanical and hydraulic features of systems; factors which must be considered in providing system of lowest initial cost and minimum operating expense with high degree of reliability and availability.

Regla Steam Electric Station

Paper describes design of 4-unit, high viscosity oil fueled steam electric station; design of foundations to cope with stiff clay, rock strata, and slag deposits; aspects of outdoor type construction, strengthening gantry crane, and ventilating louvres for turbogenerator housings; outdoor type of construction was found ideal for ventilation but had disadvantages during driving rains, therefore sides were enclosed with corrugated asbestos.

The Stratton Steam Electric Station

Planning and construction of first four units of Ohio Edison Co's 700 Mw Stratton Station; simultaneous construction of Corp of Engineers New Cumberland locks and dams and Ohio's improvement to Route 7 required much joint planning and coordination to utilize narrow river valley at this locale; 4 turbine-generators have gross output of 185,000 kw each; triple flow type machines are designed for 2400 psig, 1050 F initial and 1000 F reheat steam conditions.

305,000KW Extension to the Fish Steam Electric Station

This paper describes the design of a large single unit extension to an historic steam electric station. Unusual features include a condenser cooling water system with a deep discharge shaft and tunnel in rock, a single concrete pedestal supporting separate high and low speed sections of a cross-compound turbine-generator and a stack meeting stringent air pollution criteria.

Civil Engineering Features of TVA Steam Electric Stations

Since 1949 the Tennessee Valley Authority has built seven large steam electric stations. Forty-one units are operating in these plants and seven more are under construction. Most of the stations have space for further expansion. The units range in capability from 125 mw to 500 mw. The station capacities for the units operating and under construction range from 800 mw to 1,600 mw, and ultimate capacity in at least one of the plants is about 2,500 mw. It is the intent of this paper to discuss certain features of civil engineering design, some encountered at several stations and some peculiar to a single station, which may be of general interest in the design of steam plants.

Air Binding in Large Pipelines Flowing Under Vacuum

Air binding is potentially serious cause of excess head loss in water pipe lines flowing under less than atmospheric pressure; phenomenon of air binding and methods of control discussed, with emphasis on accumulation of air in sloping pipes; installations described are circulating water systems of steam-electric stations; principles are applicable to any water pumping station with similar profile.

Discussion: “Cooling Towers for Steam-Electric Stations—Selection and Performance Experiences” (Larinoff, M. W., 1957, Trans. ASME, 79, pp. 1685–1695)

Discussion: “Cooling Towers for Steam-Electric Stations—Selection and Performance Experiences” (Larinoff, M. W., 1957, Trans. ASME, 79, pp. 1685–1695)

Closure to “Discussions of ‘Cooling Towers for Steam-Electric Stations—Selection and Performance Experiences’” (1957, Trans. ASME, 79, pp. 1695–1697)

Closure to “Discussions of ‘Cooling Towers for Steam-Electric Stations—Selection and Performance Experiences’” (1957, Trans. ASME, 79, pp. 1695–1697)

Discussion: “Cooling Towers for Steam-Electric Stations—Selection and Performance Experiences” (Larinoff, M. W., 1957, Trans. ASME, 79, pp. 1685–1695)

Discussion: “Cooling Towers for Steam-Electric Stations—Selection and Performance Experiences” (Larinoff, M. W., 1957, Trans. ASME, 79, pp. 1685–1695)