SECTION 17:

WATER AND AIR

SECTION 17
WATER SYSTEMS
• Circulating Water System
• Gland Water System
• Bearing Cooling Water System
• High Pressure Service Water System
• Low Pressure Service Water System
• Sanitary Water System

COMPRESSED AIR SYSTEMS

• Service Air
• Combustion Control Air
• Sootblowing Air
Water Systems – Circulating Water
System
Circulating Water System
Use:
Circulating water is used to
condense the steam that has
passed through the numerous
stages of the turbine and is then
exhausted into the condenser.
This is done by pumping large
quantities of cool water through
the condenser tubes.

Fig. 17-1: Flow of Water from Intake to Outlet Tunnels

Circulating Water System
Supply:
Water from a lake or a river flows
through large pipes or concrete
channels into the power plant,
these are called intake tunnels,
shown in Fig. 17-1. Circulating
pumps take the water from these
tunnels and pump it through the
condenser.
Power plants that are not located
adjacent to natural supplies of
water use large cooling lakes or
cooling towers to supply their
circulating water needs. Fig. 17-1: Flow of Water from Intake to Outlet Tunnels
Circulating Water System
Removal of Debris:
There is floating debris in the water
of nearly all lakes and rivers so
provision for screening this debris is
made at all power plants. A trash
rack to catch and retain the large
refuse is placed at the mouth of
the intake tunnel, seen in Fig. 17-2.

Fig. 17-2: Bar Racks and Crib House

Circulating Water System
Removal of Debris:
Bars of this rack are spaced
sufficiently close to screen out
anything that could cause
damage to or interfere with the
proper operation of the revolving
screens, as shown in Fig. 17-3,
which are next in line. Trash racks
are cleaned by a rake. A derrick
or hoist is sometimes used to
remove large logs, etc.
The revolving screens (3/8” [1cm]
mesh baskets) catch and retake
the bulk of the refuse that passes
through the trash rack. The refuse
is removed from these screens by Fig. 17-3: Rotating Bar Rack
a water spray which washes it via
a debris trough for disposal.
Circulating Water System
Chemical Treatment:
Treatment of circulating water will vary at different power plants
depending upon the source of supply. The large amounts used in
these plants would make water softening uneconomical.
Chemical treatment of circulating water consists of feeding a
hypochlorite solution into the intake water. This is done to retard or
kill algae (bacterial growths, etc.) which foul up condenser tubes.
Circulating Water System
Pumps:
Pumps with piping sizes of 60”
(152cm) diameter or larger are
used to pump the large
quantities of water through the
condenser. These pumps are
specifically designed to handle
these large quantities of water
at low head pressures. Vertical
pumps are used on most
installations. (Fig. 17-4)

Fig. 17-4: Vertical Pump Installation

Circulating Water System
System Problems:
1. Water flow is reduced when the intake screens become
blocked by quantities of refuse or when ice forms along the
intake tunnel during cold weather.
2. At times, holes develop on the screens and permit debris to
pass through which block the flow of water into the condenser
tubes.
3. Debris can also lodge in the suction pipe or impeller of the
pump, and reduce the pump capacity.
4. The efficiency of the condenser is lowered when the warm
water from the outlet tunnel recirculates into the inlet tunnel.
Water Systems – Gland Water
System
Gland Water System
Uses:
The water used to service the many glands in a power station is
called gland water. Some of its uses include:
1. Cooling the stuffing boxes on pumps
2. Quenching the high temperature leak-off from high
temperature pumps.
3. Sealing pump glands to prevent air from entering the pump.
4. Lubricating pump packing
5. Keeping glands clean on a pump used for pumping dirty water
Gland water is not used in turbine glands, condensate water is
always used on these specific systems.
Gland Water System
Uses:
Fig. 17-5 illustrates how gland
water is used to quench or
cool the high temperature
leaked-off along the shaft of a
high temperature pump.

Fig. 17-5: Quenching Water Type Gland

Gland Water System
Uses:
Fig. 17-6 illustrates the use of
gland water as a seal. The
gland water seals the internal
vacuum of the pump and also
prevents air leakage from
entering the system. The gland
water also serves as a packing
lubricant in the example
shown.

Fig. 17-6: Water Sealed Gland

Gland Water System
Supply and Treatment:
City water, well water or treated circulating water is commonly
used for the gland water system because gland water must be
relatively clean. City and well waters are ideal for gland service.
Circulating water, on the other hand, must be strained or filtered
before it can be used.
Water Systems – Bearing Cooling
Water System
Bearing Cooling Water System
Use:
The principal use of bearing cooling water is to control bearing
temperatures. It accomplishes this by cooling the oil lubricating
bearings. Water flows through water jackets surrounding the
bearings on some pumps.
On others it cools the oil going through the cooler in a force feed
oil system. It is also used in a few other applications such as
hydraulic couplings and mill journals.
Bearing Cooling Water System
Supply and Treatment:
In some plants the quality of circulating water allows its use for
bearing cooling water. It is processed through strainers and/or filters
before entering the bearing cooling water header.
Closed system for bearing cooling water are commonly found in
power plants. In a closed system a relatively expensive make-up
water can be used because it is used over and over again. Water
losses can be held to a minimum and chemical treatment is
feasible. Inexpensive water from other sources can be utilized to
cool the water in a closed system.
Corrosion sometimes becomes a problem in a closed system. The
problem can be remedied by establishing residual sodium
chromates in water.
Bearing Cooling Water System
Pressure, Temperature and Volume:
Cooling water pressure will vary according to plant design. Pressure
must be established to keep the temperature of the oil leaving the
bearing within required temperature limits.
Water temperatures of 85°F to 95°F (29°C to 35°C) have proven
most satisfactory for bearing cooling.
It is important that a constant supply of cooling water be available.
A steady flow is necessary to remove the heat from the bearings.
Bearing cooling water pumps are designed to furnish a constant
supply of water regardless of the amount of equipment in service.
Water Systems – High Pressure
Service Water System
High Pressure Service Water System
Use:
High pressure water is used primarily in conjunction with ash and
dust handling systems. It is also used for fire protection in the plant
and at transformer banks.

Supply and Treatment:

This water is usually supplied from the circulating water system and
is normally treated with hypochlorite. The only other treatment
needed is to process it through strainers before it enters the system
High Pressure Service Water System
Pressure, Temperature and Volume:
The pressure range of this system is in the 100-200 psi (69-138 N/cm2)
range. The temperature of this water is not important. Volume of
water will vary according to the demands of the various ash and
dust handling systems.

Importance:
High pressure service water systems are usually on and off systems.
They are started when needed and shut down when not needed.
Some facilities have a continuous need for this system to be
livened. But when it is not needed it is shut down to save on
auxiliary power.
Water Systems – Low Pressure
Service Water System
Low Pressure Service Water System
Uses:
This system is the all purpose system in most power plants. It is
primarily used for cooling but has numerous other applications. It is
distributed to the following equipment in most plants:
• Boiler Feed Pump Oil Coolers
• Air Compressors, Receivers and After Coolers
• Water Cooled Furnace Doors
• Turbine Oil Coolers
• H2 Seal Oil System Coolers
• Hydrogen Coolers
• Bearing Oil Water Coolers
• Transformer Cooling
• F.D. and I.D. Fan Bearings
Low Pressure Service Water System
Uses:
• Lawn Sprinklers
• Combustion Control Air Coolers
• To Dust Handling Building
• Hose Connections in Boiler Room and Coal Conveyor Room
• Ash Pit Sprinklers on Small Boilers
• Generator Air Wash Systems
Low Pressure Service Water System
Supply and Treatment:
The low pressure service water pump gets its supply from the
circulating water system. From the pump the water goes through
fine mesh strainers into the service water header. In some plants it
also goes through a filtering medium before use.

Pressure, temperature and volume:

Pressure is in the 40-60 psi (28-41 N/cm2) range. Pressure will vary
however in different power plants to meet the limits and
requirements of various equipment. The main temperature demand
on this water is that it should be cool enough to maintain
approximately 110°F (38°C) hydrogen temperature. Volume of
water will be governed by temperature demands. If the
temperatures remain normal the flow of water supply is satisfactory.
Water Systems – Sanitary Water
System
Sanitary Water System
Uses:
This water is sanitary and can be used for drinking, showers and
toilets. It can also be processed for supplying softening and
demineralizing equipment to be used as make-up water in the
boiler system.
Sanitary Water System
Supply and Treatment:
The source of water for this system is the majority of our plants is
supplied by city water systems. In some instances it may be
supplied from deep wells or shallow wells located on site.
Regardless of the source the quality of this water must meet strict
health codes.

Normally when the water is supplied from the city water system it is
pre-treated in the plant. When supplied by a deep well on site it
may need treatment depending on the chemical and mineral
contingent of the raw water supply.
Sanitary Water System
Pressure and Volume:
The pressure in the system will vary according to demand in the
plant. The system is designed to contain in 2 or 3 pumps. These
pumps (one at a time) will start or stop according to demand.
Therefore the pressure on the system is maintained to supply
equipment needs. Temperature is not critical in this system. Water
coolers are used to cool drinking water.
Sanitary Water System
Protection:
Drinking contaminated river water can be dangerous to health.
Consequently all service water hose connections are posted with
warning sigs to prevent this from happening. A connection of any
sort between service water and sanitary water system is prohibited.

Pollution:
Wherever wastewater is discharged to its natural source such as
rivers, ponds, etc., it must be in a clean condition. To do this
equipment is installed to remove solid and liquid contaminating
materials from the water being discharged.
Compressed Air Systems – Service
Air
Service Air
Uses:
Service air is for general use. Where the
demand for compressed air is extensive,
it is generally more economical to have
one central unit than several small
compressors throughout the plant.
Air is supplied to the house air system by
either single or multiple stage
compressor units. A typical arrangement
from an air compressor is shown in Fig.
17-7.

Fig. 17-7: Multiple Stage Compressor

Compressed Air Systems –
Combustion Control Air
Combustion Control Air
Uses:
Combustion control air is kept free
from moisture and impurities. It is
primarily used to operate pneumatic
devices that provide automatic
control of combustion and steaming
rate of boilers. For this reason it is
called combustion control air but it
has numerous other applications.
Level control valves, normal and
emergency make-up valves, heater
drain valves, and air operated bleeder
line check valves are but a few
examples.
Fig. 17-8: Combustion Control Air System
Combustion Control Air
Figure 17-8 illustrates a combustion
control air system which has three
compressors. The system is designed
for one compressor to supply normal
air demands, the other two are on
stand-by and will automatically cut in
if low air pressure occurs. In this
specific case the compressors are
single stage, water jacketed and
furnish compressed air at 90 psi (62.0
N/cm2) gage.
Installations will vary in different
stations. Control air may be taken
directly from the service air supply. It is
then put through air filters and air
dryers before going to the control air
system. The important consideration is Fig. 17-8: Combustion Control Air System
that control air system has a reliable
source of clean dry air.
Compressed Air Systems –
Sootblowing Air
Sootblowing Air
Use:
Compressed air is used in many power plants for blowing soot from
boilers. It has many advantages over team. For example:
• lower cost, uninsulated piping may be used
• avoids pure condensate loses due to steam blowing and
drainage
• thorough cleaning due to air density
• reduces boiler tube corrosion, and
• saves fuel
Sootblowing compressors generally operate at higher pressures
than standard. Air pressure at the blowing nozzles runs around 200
psi gauge (138 N/cm2 gauge).
Thank You