Improving the efficiency of natural draft wet cooling towers by using smart metering systems

The paper discusses the importance of using smart metering systems for monitoring the performance of natural draft wet cooling towers. The performance of this type of cooling towers (which are commonly used in thermal power plants) is influenced by their sizing, by the warm water coming from the condenser and by the uncontrollable, but forecastable, weather conditions. As the temperature of the cooled water has a key influence on the operation and efficiency of the entire power plant, it is important to carefully watch the performance of the cooling tower. The cooling performance indicators are presented, along with the functions of the smart metering system of a cooling tower. As an example, a simulation model of a cogeneration power plant was used, to emphasize the variation of the performance indicators due to the change of the input conditions (regarding certain ambient conditions and the entering warm water).