Scope of Water Conservation in Thermal Power in India

Abstract

Water & Coal are the blood & food of a thermal power station. Water is employed in boiler for steam generation, in cooling towers as will be a coolant. 90% of water consumption in thermal power plant as in the sort of evaporation in cooling towers. This study provides the direct edges to power industries for reducing their power generation cost, by decreasing water requirements, and indirect benefits like reduction in auxiliary power consumption.This study shows that there is a huge potential of water conservation /saving in thermal power plant. By increasing C.O.C from 2 – 8, we can reduce water consumption. The saving of water in 250MW unit is 17520-157680 tons per annum. In 500 MW unit water saving is 8760 – 227760 tons per annum. In 600 MW unit water saving is 17520 -280320 tons per annum. In 660 MW unit water saving is 17520- 297840 tons per annum. By decreasing drift losses from 0.02 % to 0.01 % by using techniques of Pharpur cooling towers & by installing drift eliminators we can save 0.01% of circulating waters in cooling towers. By adopting hybrid cooling tower we can save >25% water in thermal power plant cooling towers. Modifying chemical treatment program can easily achieve C.O.C up to 8. This cooling water blow down can be used in bottom ash disposal system & coal dust suppression system instead of fresh water. This practice is also reduce fresh wSater consumption in thermal power plant. By adopting these techniques, all power plants are to compile Govt. norms of specific water consumption.