Smith Lake Topics: Water Level Shift

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	Name:	waterph -
	Subject:	Water Level Shift
	Date:	1/6/2009 3:24:09 PM

Based on my memory of heat transfer and thermodynamics, optimum conditions for steam condensation is dictaated by two criteria - temperature of the infeed water to the heat exchangers and water flow. This assumes the heat exchangers at Gorgas have minimum fouling and are sized properly for the lbs./hr. of steam to be condensed. The other factor in the equation is the temperature of the water returned to the Warrior River.

In the summer time, higher water temperatures of infeed requires much higher water flows or lower production rates or additional cooling capacity to meet the permit for water temperature back to the Warrior River and steam condensation. I'm sure that the control strategies are much more complex that what I've mentioned. I also suspect that Gorgas routinely monitors water temperature in the Warrior River and water releases at the dam are made to support Gorgas, Navigation, etc.

Water flow alone will not suffice. During a recent hot summer, Brown's Ferry had to reduced capacity to meet permit criteria back to the Tennessee River. This was not a navigation of flow deficiency. Water temperature of the Tennessee River was the driver.