FLUE GAS DISCHARGE VIA DRY COOLING TOWERS WAST HEAT UTILIZATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT

Combination of cooling tower structures and flue gas stacks represents a relatively new technology in power generation. Detailed investigations and studies have been prepared to evaluate the possible merits and arising problems to be solved. A number of power plants have been designed with consideration of the idea during the recent years and the first operation experiences have already been presented. Additional benefits can be expected with the use of dry cooling towers with less consequential technical difficulties. Possible system configurations are demonstrated for different type plants beginning with small capacity compressor stations to oil/gas fired base-load large capacity units. Calculations referring to thermal aspects consider performance improvement besides decreased operation costs. Investment in cooling towers can be reduced and pollution of environment can meet requirements of the future through better dispersion of contaminants in the atmosphere. Advantages foreseen can juste implementation of the technology in a wide range of power plants in the coming years worldwide.