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Arvind D. Belapurkar and Narendra M. Gupta
A Hydrophobic Catalyst for Recombining H2/D2 and O2 in Nuclear Reactors
A catalyst is developed for efficient recombination of hydrogen and oxygen in presence of water vapor and without requirement of an external
heat source. The catalyst, comprising of finely dispersed platinum on a large area polymeric sheet, is hydrophobic in nature and is therefore
resistant to water poisoning. The recombination reaction is exothermic which results in the rise of catalyst temperature and hence in its high
and automatically sustained catalytic activity. In order to prevent catalyst overheating, the catalyst sheet is sandwiched between the two
perforated metallic plates, which help in maintaining the catalyst panel at an isothermal temperature below its melting point. The performance
of this catalyst, evaluated on both bench and pilot plant scale, is found to be long lasting. Due to the flexible nature of this catalyst material,
different convenient recombiner designs may be envisaged for use in nuclear reactors, either for reaction of radiolytically generated hydrogen
and oxygen or for mitigation of hydrogen under severe accident conditions.
PowerPlant Chemistry 2000, 2(8)
VGB Conference "Power Plant Chemistry 2000"
VGB Conference "Power Plant Chemistry 2000" is the only annual conference attended exclusively to chemistry in power plants. The
contribution is the complete listing of the conference program. The conference will take place on October 25-26, 2000, in Essen, Germany.
PowerPlant Chemistry 2000, 2(8)
Des McInnes and Ray Sutton
Oxygen Treatment, Australia Wide
Oxygenated Treatment is being adopted for use in four mainland states of Australia: Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, and
Queensland. This paper summarizes the problems encountered and the benefits experienced following the change to oxygenated treatment.
Tarong Energy's problem with copper fouling of the high-pressure Turbine is discussed and information gained through research into this
problem is presented.
PowerPlant Chemistry 2000, 2(8)
Karol Daucik
Is Countercurrent Regeneration an Option for Condensate Polishing?
Two 400 MW ultra supercritical sister units were equipped with different condensate polishers. One of them has external and the second one
has internal regeneration. The internal regeneration of the second unit occurs in the countercurrent mode.
During the design of the polishers, the total discharge of ionic contaminants into the water/steam cycle was minimized without extensive
complication of the operation or regeneration of the polishers. The concept of 3 x 50 % separate beds (cation - anion - cation) was chosen.
The trail cation filter is by-passed during normal operation. It is only in operation just after regeneration of the previous two filters. To reduce
the leakage further, a number of other measures are employed. The performance of these two units is compared with respect to capacity,
kinetic and continuous equilibrium leakage.
PowerPlant Chemistry 2000, 2(8)
Jean-Claude Calay and Coralie Goffin
The Use of Electrodeionization to Reduce the Ammonia Concentration in Steam Generator Blowdown of PWR
Nuclear Power Plants
To be recycled, PWR steam generator blowdown must be purified by mechanical filters, followed by ion exchangers (mixed bed preceded by
a cationic ion exchange resin). The cationic ion exchange resin eliminates the conditioning agent ammonia in order to lengthen the cycles of
the mixed bed.
In the Doel nuclear power plant, Laborelec performed tests on a pilot plant for continuous electrodeionization that might replace the cation
exchanger. The test campaign lasted six months. It is concluded that ammonia is removed well (1,000 µg/kg in the feed vs. 3 - 4 µg/kg in the
product). The electrodeionization removes also other impurities; the conductivity of the treated water amounts to nearly 0.07 µs/cm.
When installing an electrodeionization, the cation exchanger of the processing chain could be removed. This would considerably relieve the
mixed bed, which should practically not require further regeneration.
PowerPlant Chemistry 2000, 2(8)
Alan Whitehead and R. Grant Rowe
Water and Steam Use in Gas Turbines in GE Combined Cycle Plants
The paper discusses the consumptive use of water and steam in the combustion turbines of combined cycle power plants. As the design and
operation of combined cycle plants has evolved over the years, the direct uses of water and steam in the gas turbine have grown. The
increased uses have result from the continuous drive for improved gas turbine thermal performance and power output.
Humidification of inlet air and fuel improved the output from a fixed frame size turbine and has increased the use of high-purity water and
steam. The goal of 60 % thermally efficient combined cycle plant has led to airfoil design using internal steam cooling requir-ing the use of
steam which meets the highest EPRI purity standards.
Recommendations are made for purity standards for all steam and water used in the gas turbine and the conse-quences of not meeting them
are discussed.
PowerPlant Chemistry 2000, 2(8)
Eskom International Conference on Power Plant Chemistry
First Announcement & Call for Papers for the Eskom International Conference on Power Plant Chemistry. This conference cosponsored by
ESKOM, TSI, VGB, and EPRI will take place on April 3 - 5, 2001, in Eskom Conference Centre, Midrand, South Africa.
The conference will present some of the latest technology in process water treatment and power plant chemistry fields from around the world.
Major areas addressed include: Ion Exchange; Membrane Technology; Condensate Polish-ing; Cooling Water Chemistry; Power Plant Cycle
Chemistry; Industrial Process Water Treatment; Power Plant Cycle Chemistry Monitoring and Instrumentation.
PowerPlant Chemistry 2000, 2(8)
Dirk J. Hanekom
Cooling Water Chemistry Limitations and the Method of Evaluating the Best Value for Money Options
Power generation in a water scarce country necessitates high cycles of concentration in open evaporative cooling water systems. Operation
with high cycles of concentration is not only necessary to minimise raw water intake but also to prevent pollution of the natural water
resources.
Eskom presently operates seven large power stations, each generating in excess of 2,000 MW, with open evaporative cooling systems at
cycles of concentrations varying between 20 and 50 without the addition of corrosion inhibitors. Materials of construction include concrete,
epoxy coated mild steel, muntz eetal, admiralty brass, stainless steel, and titanium. One station employs induced current cathodic protection
for the protection of the cooling water ducts.
Achieving optimal cycles of concentration is a function of the materials of construction of the power plant, the different hardness species of
the makeup water and the processes selected for the control of alkalinity, microbial activity, and organic reduction. Lime softening or alkalinity
control is vital in achieving high cycles of concentration. However, the composition of the makeup water dictates the feasibility of lime
treatment.
The paper discusses these aspects and the employment of techniques such as the application of so-called "anion-free" flocculants and
crystal modifiers in some detail. In addition, the implications of concentrated organic species in the cooling water circuits will be addressed.
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