Some observations on biofouling in the cooling water conduits of a coastal power plant

Response of brown mussel, Perna indica, to elevated temperatures in relation to power plant biofouling control

“…MAPS experienced a serious flow blockage in 1987 due to the extensive growth of mussels, Perna indica Kuriakose and Nair and Perna uiridis (L.), in the cooling water system (Rajagopal et al, 1991a) and this frequently resulted in station established mussel communities, such as those in the MAPS tunnel, requires continuous doses of chlorine (Rajagopal et al,199lb). This leads to the question of environmental safety, as chlorine has been reported to be toxic to non-target organisms (Brungs, 1977;Smith and Kretschner, 1984;Jenner, 1985).…”

Biofouling in Cooling Water Intake Systems: Ecological Aspects

“…Several incidents of plant shutdown due to fouling have been reported from various parts of the world (Imbro and Gianelli 1982 ;Rains et al 1984 ;Neitzel et al 1986 ;Rajagopal 1991Rajagopal , 2010Sasikumar 1991 ;Claudi and Mackie 1994 ) . The number of studies on biofouling of coastal electrical power plants is few (Hoshiai 1964 ;Collins 1968 ;Board and Holmes 1972 ;Relini et al 1980 ;Brankevich et al 1988 ;Rajagopal et al 1991aRajagopal et al , 1991bRajagopal et al , 1996Rajagopal et al , 2006a and most of these studies relate to problems encountered in temperate waters. Moreover, detailed studies on the community structure of biofouling assemblages and other ecological parameters such as growth rate and settlement are lacking (Rajagopal et al 2006b ) .…”

“…Biofouling-induced problems in power plants roughly fall under four categories: (1) blockage of free fl ow of water in the cooling conduits and consequent mechanical damage to pumps; (2) clogging of condenser tubes; (3) reduction in heat transfer effi ciency across heat exchanger surfaces and (4) acceleration of corrosion (WHOI 1952 ;Fischer et al 1984 ;Neitzel et al 1984 ;Nair 1990 ;Rajagopal et al 1991aRajagopal et al , 1991bRajagopal et al , 1995Rajagopal et al , 2006a . The fouling also has potential to affect raw water systems including backup cooling loops provided for safety-related cooling systems in nuclear power plants (Neitzel et al 1984 ) .…”

“…The cooling water system of a power station constructed with metal or concrete provides an abundance of suitable substrata for mussel settlement (Neitzel et al 1984 ;Rajagopal et al 1994 ) . According to one estimate, the total biomass lodged inside the seawater intake tunnel of a costal power plant was about 578 tonnes (1 tonne = 1,000 kg), out of which mussels alone contributed 410 tonnes (Rajagopal et al 1991a(Rajagopal et al , 2006a .…”

Effect of Residual Chlorine on Marine Organisms for Huarun Caofeidian Power Plant

“…When the residual chlorine concentration was lower than 1mg/L, the shellfish could still open the shell for feeding, but the feeding rate decreased [7]. When the concentration is higher, the shellfish is forced to close the shell, relying on the energy stored in the body and the anoxic respiration to survive, until the energy is completely consumed or the metabolic waste reaches the toxic level [8]. According to the related research results, shellfish, clams in the residual chlorine concentration is 0.5~2.0 mg/L, the temperature 29~30℃ higher mortality [9].…”