Simulation of fluid velocity distribution inside the condenser waterbox of a power plant

The cleaning of heat exchanging units is of a major concern for steam power plant. It has been proposed by the plant authority to install an on-line cleaning system at Callide Power Station located near Biloela, Queensland, Australia, on the steam condensing electrical generation units. The condenser is fitted with a waterbox to distribute the cooling water internally throughout. The cleaning system may incorporate the cycling of sponge balls throughout the cooling water circuit of the condenser, which through their abrasive action remove fouling. To predict the potential effectiveness of this cleaning system, it is important to determine the distribution of balls, i.e. the distribution of fluid velocity throughout the condenser tube systems is uniform and even. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is developed in this study in order to simulate and evaluate the fluid velocity distribution inside the condenser waterbox. The simulation results are presented and discussed, so that plant authority can realize the implementation of this cleaning system.