Performance of a capacitive cooling system for dry cooling. Final report

The Capacitive Cooling System at the Advanced Concepts Test (ACT) Dry Cooling Facility was successfully operated for 226 h during two test periods in 1984. The Capacitive Cooling System uses thermally stratified water to regulate the daily heat transfer duty of the ACT base ammonia cycle. The Capacitive Cooling System went through 10 major peak and chill cycles during the 1984 tests, with 111 h of peak operation and 115 h of chill operation. The overall system operation was smooth, with no significant oscillations. The steam flow was split between the water-cooled and ammonia-cooled steam condensers, with no detectable adverse affect on the steam turbine operation. The ammonia compressor operation did not appear to adversely affect the operation of the base ammonia cycle. The lubricating oil was effectively contained within the ammonia compressor package assembly. The Capacitive Cooling System controls correctly regulated the water flow and properly controlled the mode of operation. Hot water was effectively layered over cooler water in a 65 ft. dia. water tank. The dynamic movement and stability of the thermocline in the water tank over a 4 day period was successfully demonstrated. Information on thermocline formation and its static degradation was also obtained. 16 refs.,more » 26 figs., 6 tabs.« less