How to utilize secondary sewage to improve heat rate efficiency?

The Challenge

In 2012, Veolia advised the client they would experience issues in their cooling towers if they continued to send the existing quality water to their towers.

A 'champion' who worked for the client, listened and had Veolia present its technology to their team. At that time Veolia noted the client was very likely to experience heat rate increases if they did not add tertiary filtration; especially if they used high efficiency fill in the cooling towers.

The power plant personnel wanted to do it, but needed headquarters to approve the funds. Shortly after, the MW rating of the power plant was reduced resulting in large revenue loss and the budget money was approved quickly.
 

The Solution

Veolia's industrial group reached out to its municipal group to demonstrate to the client the efficiency of its Hydrotech Discfilters for the treatment of reclaim water through a site installation near the power station. 

Following a successful site visit, the client contracted Veolia for the treatment of up to 2,725m³/h (12,000 gpm) of sewage plant effluent for cooling tower make-up. Three of Veolia's largest framed Hydrotech Discfilters will be retrofitted into an existing competitor's media filter concrete basins.

Added Value

• With thousands of Discfilter references, many installed on tertiary filtration in municipal waste treatment, the client was reassured by Veolia’s experience. 
• The Discfilters will allow an ultimate improvement in cooling tower operation and heat rate, increasing the efficiency of the power unit. This is not only a major financial gain but also a positive step to sustainability. Energy efficiency is often part of a Power generator's sustainability goals - including this corporation.