Additionally, the existing combined-cycle natural gas unit at Turkey Point Power
Plant (Unit 5) will use the reclaimed water for cooling. Miami-Dade County will
provide up to 90 million gallons day (MGD) or average daily flow of 75 MGD. This
reclaimed water would otherwise be injected in deep well for disposal [30–32].
The gas-fired Mattawomen Power Plant in Maryland uses reclaimed water for
water supply for the cooling towers. Cycle of concentration (make-up volume/blow
down volume) typically range 2–3 and can be improved with increase treatment of
the makeup water. The water reclamation facility that provides reclaimed water to
Mattawomen Power Plant improved its treatment (lowering total nitrogen and
phosphorus concentrations). As a result, the cycle of concentration increased from
4–5 to 8–10 [32–34].
3.8.9 Recent Research
The current cooling tower research examined microbial effects on human health and
corrosion. Other research examined the methods to improve operation, reduce
emissions, and increase water supply.
The legionnaire’s disease (LD) outbreak in New York, New York, in 2015 was
examined. The outbreak causes a total of 138 adults with LD requiring 128 hospitalization and 16 deaths. The researcher test water samples for legionella DNA from
183 cooling towers, in which 162 of them were positive to for legionella. The result
of their investigation indicated that aerosol containing outbreak legionella strain
from a cooling tower infected person residing several kilometer away from the tower
[28]. A new 45 minutes DNA test can detect and quantify legionella bacteria
compare to the 10–14 day Petri dish method [35]. Researchers determined that air
condition cooling towers have aquatic environments and have presents of pathogenic
free living amoebae [36]. Boamah D.K. et.al describe the interactions between
Legionella with protozoa which is host for the bacteria. The biology, evolution,
and persistence of Legionella in the environment are connected to the protozoa
[37]. The use of biocide, bronopol, considerably reduces metal loss from corrosive
bacterial strains in cooling tower water system [38]. Researcher compared biofilm
removal percentage and detachment rate for six-green bio-dispersants and two
non-green bio-dispersants. Higher removal percentages and detachment rates were
achieved by green bio-dispersant over the non-green bio-dispersants [39]. Experimental investigation showed that changing operating conditions and distribution
system in cooling tower that emissions of PM 10 (Particulate matter with particles less
than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter) can be reduced. Additionally, water
drift with PM10 can also be reduced adding drift eliminator [40]. Coal-fired power
plant that utilizes an integrated liquid absorbent-based CO 2 capture and desalination
processes were examined to increase water supply. The investigators showed by
modifying these processes, the amount and quality of water produced can be used for
makeup water for flue gas desulfurization and/ or cooling tower at negligible energy
consumption [41].
5 Cooling and Reuse of Thermal Discharges
225
Plant (Unit 5) will use the reclaimed water for cooling. Miami-Dade County will
provide up to 90 million gallons day (MGD) or average daily flow of 75 MGD. This
reclaimed water would otherwise be injected in deep well for disposal [30–32].
The gas-fired Mattawomen Power Plant in Maryland uses reclaimed water for
water supply for the cooling towers. Cycle of concentration (make-up volume/blow
down volume) typically range 2–3 and can be improved with increase treatment of
the makeup water. The water reclamation facility that provides reclaimed water to
Mattawomen Power Plant improved its treatment (lowering total nitrogen and
phosphorus concentrations). As a result, the cycle of concentration increased from
4–5 to 8–10 [32–34].
3.8.9 Recent Research
The current cooling tower research examined microbial effects on human health and
corrosion. Other research examined the methods to improve operation, reduce
emissions, and increase water supply.
The legionnaire’s disease (LD) outbreak in New York, New York, in 2015 was
examined. The outbreak causes a total of 138 adults with LD requiring 128 hospitalization and 16 deaths. The researcher test water samples for legionella DNA from
183 cooling towers, in which 162 of them were positive to for legionella. The result
of their investigation indicated that aerosol containing outbreak legionella strain
from a cooling tower infected person residing several kilometer away from the tower
[28]. A new 45 minutes DNA test can detect and quantify legionella bacteria
compare to the 10–14 day Petri dish method [35]. Researchers determined that air
condition cooling towers have aquatic environments and have presents of pathogenic
free living amoebae [36]. Boamah D.K. et.al describe the interactions between
Legionella with protozoa which is host for the bacteria. The biology, evolution,
and persistence of Legionella in the environment are connected to the protozoa
[37]. The use of biocide, bronopol, considerably reduces metal loss from corrosive
bacterial strains in cooling tower water system [38]. Researcher compared biofilm
removal percentage and detachment rate for six-green bio-dispersants and two
non-green bio-dispersants. Higher removal percentages and detachment rates were
achieved by green bio-dispersant over the non-green bio-dispersants [39]. Experimental investigation showed that changing operating conditions and distribution
system in cooling tower that emissions of PM 10 (Particulate matter with particles less
than or equal to 10 micrometers in diameter) can be reduced. Additionally, water
drift with PM10 can also be reduced adding drift eliminator [40]. Coal-fired power
plant that utilizes an integrated liquid absorbent-based CO 2 capture and desalination
processes were examined to increase water supply. The investigators showed by
modifying these processes, the amount and quality of water produced can be used for
makeup water for flue gas desulfurization and/ or cooling tower at negligible energy
consumption [41].
5 Cooling and Reuse of Thermal Discharges
225