Water Quality Modeling of a Power Generating Plant's Cooling Reservoir

A study is performed to analyze the water quality of a cooling reservoir of an existing nuclear power plant and a proposed expansion. The purpose of the daily water quality model is to estimate the required blowdown quantity and frequency from the reservoir to keep the cooling water conductivity level below a certain limit. The model is calibrated, and successfully validated against historical data from the operating plant. The model predicts water surface elevation and conductivity of the reservoir water, the daily diversion of makeup water (if available or allowed), and the daily blowdown (if necessary or allowed). A sensitivity analysis is performed on various parameters of the makeup and blowdown rules, to assess the impact on the water quality of the cooling reservoir. The model provides a useful tool, to modify and test the blowdown rules and assess the potential impact on the aquatic environment of the river.