Coal plants must replace antiquated water fixtures and implement data-driven technologies and new infrastructure to adapt to modern needs. It is the best way to deliver pure water and prevent water scarcity.
Like most utility infrastructure, coal plants are experiencing inefficiencies and losses in their water systems. These once towering structures of innovation and productivity have become antiquated, demanding a new era of modernisation. To maintain compliance, reduce environmental impact and regain lost revenue, the sector must introduce these strategies to improve water treatment and management.
Implement advanced closed-loop treatment and reuse systems
Water scarcity is a global problem, and the immense water requirements of coal plants further exacerbate these concerns. Once-through models are inefficient and strenuous on the environment and nearby communities, requiring stakeholders to consider circular, closed-loop infrastructure.
Reverse-osmosis (RO) systems are ideal for this, leveraging cooling towers and flue-gas desulfurisation to make all feedwater pure and suitable for cooling. Continuous cycling minimises pressure on local sources while overcoming industry pain points such as membrane fouling. Combining RO water systems with ultrasonic cleaning can provide higher-quality water while saving facilities money.
Some business case studies prove 90% of RO system water is reusable, yielding significant savings while reducing the amount of water companies use, hastening the return on investment.
Adopt Vapour Compression Distillation (VCD) for high-purity water
Boiler feedwater in coal-fired plants must be pure. Otherwise, it can expedite corrosion in essential infrastructure. Legacy fixtures are particularly vulnerable, having already endured years of environmental stressors. VCD is more effective at removing contaminants and solids from water.
VCD is also better than most desalination technologies, using less energy while achieving water recovery rates of up to 80% from seawater. If organisations reuse existing water while installing technologies that can tap additional sources, such as saltwater bodies, they can remain competitive.
Integrate real-time, AI-powered water monitoring platforms
New pipes lay the foundation for more efficient water systems, but so does software. Modern infrastructure can capitalise on data-driven platforms and artificial intelligence (AI), whereas legacy devices are incompatible with them.
The real-time insights about how much water coal plants can save, the quality of retreated and reused water, and automated leak detection are monumental boons for the sector. Power plants use 195 billion gal. of water to cool equipment, with even more being converted to steam or used for scrubbing pollutants. Having concrete visualisations of a coal plant’s water footprint can contextualise the most value-driven improvements, simplifying prioritisation.
Over time, the algorithms become more precise as they familiarise themselves with the coal plant’s typical water consumption. This will inform process discovery and continuous improvement. Research shows the effectiveness of smart decision-support systems in water management software for power plants.
With them, facilities can alleviate water shortages, design procedures that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and achieve up to 40% savings on water. This can culminate in millions of gallons.
Driving efficiency and water resilience
The future of coal has to adapt in multiple ways to maintain viability. Without addressing legacy water systems, coal plants will continue to sap too many resources from local areas. They will pull too much and deepen scarcity. Alternatively, they can embrace innovative, data-driven water equipment, installing smarter infrastructure that is more considerate and productive with fewer feedstocks.
Author note
Jane Marsh is a seasoned environmental journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co, specialising in in-depth coverage of environmental trends, sustainability, and the evolving energy landscape. With her work featured on leading platforms like Renewable Energy Magazine, Manufacturing.net, and Nation of Change, Jane brings a keen perspective on the intersection of energy innovation and industry practices.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/coal/20052026/infrastructure-modernisation-upgrading-water-systems-at-aging-coal-plants/
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