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Simulation Model to Study the Utilization of Waste Heat Using a Combination Multiple Reservoir and Greenhouse Complex¹

ABSTRACT

A system designed to utilize waste heat discharged by the cooling condenser of a steam-electric generating station is investigated using system analysis techniques. Much of the analysis is carried out with the assistance of computer simulation of the total system.

The system under study involves the use of multiple reservoirs for storage, utilization, and dissipation of the thermal discharge from a 1000-megawatt generating station. One reservoir is used for storage of the warmest water to be used for heating of a greenhouse located adjacent to the reservoir. A second reservoir is included and used for commercial fish production, while another is used for recreational purposes and provides the necessary cooling capacity for summer cooling.

Mathematical models are developed to describe the heat exchange characteristics of the reservoirs and greenhouse. A descriptive model is added to describe and define the detailed operating conditions of the total system. These models are incorporated into a computer simulation model which is used in the analysis.

The study includes an investigation of simulation languages available for simulation of large scale systems. The special purpose language, DYNAMO, is selected and used for the simulation tests. The development and coding of the computer program are discussed in detail.

Sensitivity analysis is used to study the behavior of the system with variations in the design and operation. Operating ranges are determined for the various components of the system. The simulator is used to study the operation of the system throughout a 1-year simulation period.

The simulation model uses actual weather data in the computations to determine heat exchange within the reservoirs and the greenhouse. A study of the effect of the level of aggregation of the weather data is included. The computer simulator is used as a tool for developing a control system to automatically control the real world system. A description of the control system including a circuit design is included.

The simulator is used to show that a 2,500-acre recreational lake, up to 500 acres of reservoir for fish production, and up to 350 acres of greenhouse make up a feasible system design.

Key Words: thermal discharge • thermal pollution • system analysis • computer simulation • water quality • warm water for fish growth • electric power plant • steam generating power plant

¹ Approved as Journal Paper no. 4622 of the Purdue University Agr. Exp. Sta., Lafayette, Ind. This work was partially supported by Public Service Indiana. The authors wish to acknowledge the counsel of Dr. J. L. Hamelink, Forestry & Conservation Dept., Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.

² Associate Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y., 14850 and Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Engineering, Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind., 47907, respectively.

Received for publication February 14, 1972.