A case study on the design of condenser effluent outlet of thermal power plant to reduce foam emitted to surrounding seacoast

A case study of numerical modeling and physical experiment was carried out to search for best design of the new condenser effluent outlet of a thermal power plant that minimizes the amount of foam emitted from the outlet. The generation of foam cannot be exactly simulated or reproduced in both methodologies so that the focus of study was placed on minimizing the amount of entrained air volume, which is the main source of the foam formed on the water surface around the effluent outlet. The proposed outlet structure includes a stepped drop to diminish air entrainment and multiple curtain walls to delay emission of the generated form. By comparing the air fraction in the outlet for various geometries of the drop and curtain walls, the detailed design of the outlet was determined so as to make the air fraction minimum.

► A new condenser effluent outlet was designed so as to reduce sea foam emission.
► Air entrainment during the effluent discharge was the main source of the foam formation.
► A stepped drop and multiple curtain walls were effective in reducing air amount in the effluent water.
► Further reduction of air entrainment was possible by installing a porous plate at the drop.
► Foam creation problem can be resolved by applying the conceptual design of the new outlet.