Water and Mass Balance Modeling for a Power Plant

CH2M HILL developed a site-wide water/mass balance model for a 99 megawatt (MW) power plant, in North Dakota. When online, the plant will generate electricity for homes and businesses and will supply steam to adjacent industrial facilities. A dedicated water treatment plant at the facility treats grey water discharged from a Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) to produce water for the facility. The plant experienced scaling and plugging issues upon startup, and wanted a water balance for the facility which accounted for changes in water chemistry. OLI’s StreamAnalyzer software and CH2M HILL’s proprietary water treatment simulator Source™ was used to create a site wide water balance, and investigate the potential for and effects of water quality cycle up at a power plant’s water treatment plant. The detailed water quality and modeling results are reviewed, presenting the compounds with a high potential for scaling and the conditions under which scaling might occur.