Routing a Cold Water Release Through TVA Reservoirs to Control Intake Temperatures at a Power Plant

by Vahid Alavian, TVA Engineering Lab, United States,
Peter Ostrowski, Jr., TVA Engineering Lab, United States,
Gary E. Hauser, TVA Engineering Lab, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Hydraulic Engineering

Abstract:

A volume of cold water was routed some 160 miles through the TVA reservoir system to keep a nuclear plant intake temperature within safety limits. Mathematical modeling of the operation and thermal characteristics of the reservoir system was performed in order to determine the volume and duration of the cold water release. Accurate determination of the release time was critical in arrival of the cold water at the plant when it was most needed. Cold water travel time and temperature were analyzed by using density current theories.

Subject Headings: Water intakes | Hydro power | Density currents | Reservoirs | Temperature effects | Power plants | Nuclear power | Tennessee | United States

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