Diseño de un Sistema de Sustitución de Agua de Enfriamiento en las Unidades de Generación de la Central Paute - Molino.

Abstract

A cooling system of the Phase C Generation Units of the Hydroelectric Generating Station Paute-Molino has been designed taking the advantage of the potential energy from the Quebrada El Molino, so as to substitute the electro-pumping operating at the moment with turbine water which is impelled to the heat exchangers. After having determined the volume and the system functioning pressure of the actual cooling for the five Phase C Generation Units, the place altitude in which the system pressure tank to generate the necessary pressure to distribute the water to all the equipment requiring cooling, was determined. After having carried it out the corresponding physical and chemical analysis of the Quebrada Molino water it is concluded that it meets the necessary conditions for the project, i.e., diminishing the system corrosion, improving the heat transfer process yield and reducing the maintenance periodicity in the equipment heat exchangers which are refrigerated. The proposed cooling system works with a volume of 0.49 m3 /s and 3.5 bar pressure. The mentioned proposed cooling system advantages are reflected mainly in the energy saving, which in turn favors the environmental aspects and is a significant factor in the economic analysis which shows the project feasibility.