TITLE:
A New Algorithm for Optimal Design of the Recirculating Cooling Water System of Thermal Power Plants Part I: Description of the Methodology & Case Study 1
AUTHORS:
Aleksa V. Popadić
KEYWORDS:
Thermal Power Plant, Cooling Water System, Cold End System, Natural Draft Cooling Tower, Steam Condenser, Optimization
JOURNAL NAME:
Energy and Power Engineering,
Vol.17 No.8,
August
20,
2025
ABSTRACT: An innovative approach to the optimization of process parameters and equipment sizes of the recirculating cooling water system for various types of thermal power plants (TPPs) with natural draft wet cooling towers is presented in this paper. The optimal values of the most influential operating and dimensional parameters of a TPP cooling water system are obtained by minimizing the annual cost of the system while satisfying the specified input design and operating conditions as well as the imposed constraints. The specificities of the TPP type are determined through the input parameter for levelized cost of energy (LCOE), which also reflects the specificities of the environmental protection standards for each TPP type. The developed mathematical model and the computer program are cross-checked with various existing designs, and the results are found to be compliant and accurate. The proposed optimization method has a global character because the climatic and economic specificities of the geographic location of the TPP are determined through the input parameters. By applying the proposed optimization model, it is possible to make significant savings in the operation of a TPP on an annual basis. This article is organized into several parts to illustrate the application of the proposed optimization method using case studies.