Stratified Cooling Channel for Thermal Discharges

Abstract

A method of designing a stratified cooling channel for managing the excess heat of a thermal discharge is presented. The cooling channel is connected to a larger body of water such as a river, lake, or ocean. A continuous exchange flow with a larger body of water allows mixing to play an important role in reducing the temperature of a discharge in the cooling channel. The equations governing the flow and temperature in a deep cooling channel are derived from basic principles of momentum and heat balance. The numerical solutions show that most of the thermal impact of a heated discharge may be confined to within the boundaries of the cooling channel, minimizing the ecological impact on the natural environment. An example is used to demonstrate the method of designing a cooling channel. The example shows that cooling channels could operate under thermal loading conditions significantly higher than those required in cooling ponds.