MEGN 560: Homework #1

January 20, 2016

Abhishek Parikh

Abhishek Parikh

MEGN 560: Assignment #1

[2.4]Powerplant Cooling Tower design

Problem Statement:To formulate the design problem of Cooling towers in terms of Fixed quantities, Requirements, Constraints and Design Variables.
The main purpose of cooling towers in power plants is to dispose waste heat to ambient environment.
The formulation for the given problem is given as follow:

1.1

Fixed quantities

1. Rate of heat rejection per cooling tower as 200M W .

2. Temperature and relative humidity of ambient air as 15 C and 0.4 respectively. Also, the
temperature of hot water is 35 C.

1.2

Requirements

The main requirement of the cooling towers is to accommodate the total rate of heat disposal
required by the power plant and to maintain the range (temperature difference between the warm
water inlet and cooled water exit).

1.3

Constraints

The temperature of hot water is 35 C is a constraint, limiting heat transfer from temperature
difference point of view (For a given fixed geometry, heat rejection can be made more by increasing
temperature difference).

1.4
1.4.1

Design Variables
Hardware

1. Type of cooling tower.

2. Number of cooling towers required to meet the power plants heat rejection requirement.
3. Area required for 200M W heat transfer in cooling tower.
4. Auxiliary components supporting cooling tower
1.4.2

Operating variables

1. Amount of makeup water required to compensate the evaporation loss.

2. Flow rate of hot and cold water.

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Abhishek Parikh

MEGN 560: Assignment #1

[2.7]Thermal energy storage system

Problem Statement: The problem asks to characterize the design problem of a solar thermal
energy storage system. The given system aims to collect maximum solar energy and store in form
of sensible/latent heat of water in an underground tank.

2.1

Fixed quantities

1. Depth of the storage tank under the ground as 3m.

2. Dimensions of the storage tank as 1m 1m 1m.
3. Depending upon the geographic location, the energy input (Solar energy) may be taken as a
fixed quantity.

2.2
2.2.1

Design Variables
Hardware

1. Geometry of solar energy collection system: This includes the area available for solar energy
collection (heating the water) and the orientation (direction and inclination) of solar collecting
panels. The position of the system will be dictated by the place of its installation.
2. Construction material for structure, insulation, etc. of the storage tank as well as solar
collection system. This will be dictated by the operating conditions, desired life cycle and
budget(operating and maintaining) of the system.
3. Piping system connecting the solar collection system and storage tank. This includes pipes,
pumps, valves, etc.
2.2.2

Operating variables

1. Temperature of water at which it is to be stored in the tank. This will dictate the required
temperature of water at the outlet of solar collection system.
2. Flow rate of water in the system. This will be dictated by the intensity of sun (time of the
day), required temperatures (stated in above point), etc.
3. Pressure at which water flows through the solar collection system.

Page 3 of 5

Abhishek Parikh

MEGN 560: Assignment #1

[2.13] Sensors for control and safety

Problem Statement: The given problem asks to discuss the nature, safety and possible location
of sensors for safety and control of following processes. Depending upon the process variables, some
basic sensors have been looked over and discussed as follow:

3.1

[2.13(a)] Water heating system

The following figure shows the location of temperature(T) and flow(F) sensors (inlet and outlet
water temperature measurement). Reason: Temperature and flow sensors at the inlet and outlet
(flow sensor is placed at only one location) will help in determining the level at which furnace has
to be operated and hence amount of fuel flow required in the furnace.
Also, a water level sensor is placed in the furnace which can be used to feedback the inlet to prevent
the water level in the furnace from going too high or low.

F Flow rate sensor

P Pressure sensor
T Temperature sensor
Depending upon the size, operation range and factor of safety of the water heating system, a
pressure sensor (P) might be necessary in the furnace to monitor the pressure.
Again, depending upon the size, operation range and factor of safety, a flow rate sensor can be
installed in the burners to monitor the flow of fuel (for both control and safety).

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Abhishek Parikh

3.2

MEGN 560: Assignment #1

[2.13(e)] Paper-pulp drying oven

The following figure shows the position of temperature and speed sensors.

Reason: Temperature control is of primary importance in drying. Temperature sensor is placed

just after the entrance and before the exit of the oven. Also, depending upon the length of the oven,
a temperature sensor may also be placed in the middle of the oven to give a better temperature
profile across the entire length of the oven.
Also, speed sensor for the conveyor belt is placed to feedback the residence time of paper pulp in
the oven.

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