Infrared monitoring of power-plant effluents and heat sinks to optimize plant efficiency

Richard Norman Wurzbach; David A. Seith

doi:10.1117/12.381570

30 March 2000 Infrared monitoring of power-plant effluents and heat sinks to optimize plant efficiency

Richard Norman Wurzbach, David A. Seith

Proceedings Volume 4020, Thermosense XXII; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.381570
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Infrared imaging of the discharge canal and intake pond of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station was initiated to confirm a plant staff suspicion that high water intake temperatures were being influenced by recirculation of discharge flow. To minimize the angle of incidence to the water surface, the inspection was made from the top of the cooling towers. Although there was no evidence of recirculation from the plant discharge to the intake pond, two unexpected inputs of thermal energy were discovered during the inspection. A faulty sluice gate and a damaged cross-around pipe could be seen to be dumping thermal energy into the intake pond. The result was increased temperatures at the intake which threatened plant operation, decreased plant efficiency, and resulted in fewer megawatts available to sell to customers during the critical summer months.

Citation Download Citation

Richard Norman Wurzbach and David A. Seith "Infrared monitoring of power-plant effluents and heat sinks to optimize plant efficiency", Proc. SPIE 4020, Thermosense XXII, (30 March 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.381570

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