Lesson 10: Condenser and Cooling Tower Circ Water System Flashcards
- What is the function of the cooling tower?
The Cooling Tower removes the heat from the Circulating and Aux. Circ. Water.
- What is your responsibility as an operator concerning the cooling tower in normal weather? In Cold weather?
Check Louvers Check Panels Manhole Covers Deck Lighting Deck condition Fan Shrouds Fan Motors, oil levels/leaks, heat and vibration In cold weather, check for ice build up and any damage caused by ice.
- What should be checked on a cooling tower circulating water pump before starting? After starting? What is their function?
Pre-Start: Breaker Racked in Safe/Run in Run CT Level (80+) Discharge Valve in Auto and Closed (Unless it’s the first pump to start) *best practice to put all 3 pumps in manual if you are starting your first pump* Suction Valve Open Vibration reset pump and panel Oil levels, pump and motor Oil leaks Air Intakes clear Expansion Joint Condition, leaks Vent the Pump Seal leak off pumps in Auto and lag switch selected
Post-Start: If it’s the first pump started, Discharge Valve must be in Manual. Slowly open the Discharge Valve using the control panel switch until water returns to the tower. Open the Discharge Valve 100% Place switch in Auto Check Discharge Valve indicator is open Check Oil levels, motor and pump Slinger Rings Oil leaks Seal leak off Expansion Joint/Leaks Note the discharge pressure After 1 hour set the VARS to 0. Check amp draw and voltage
The Circulation Pump provides water to the Condenser to cool the low-pressure steam spent by the turbine. Heat is removed and sent back to the Cooling Tower.
- What is very important to observe when a Cooling Tower Circ. Pump has been shut down and why?
Verify the Discharge Valve is closed fully. Water could back feed and reduce the flow of other online circ. water pumps.
- How many CT Circ. Pumps are normally in service?
2
- What voltage are the cooling tower circulating water pumps?
4160 Volts
- What is meant when referring to “Vars”?
Volts, Amps, Reactance
- How are the Vars set after a pump has been started
Using the switch, they should be set back to 0 after 1 hour.
- What are the normal running Vars of the Circ. Pumps?
0
- What is the Vars trip point on the CT Circ. Pumps? Where would you find the reset button to reset a Var trip?
100 out is the trip point. The reset is in the back of the control panel.
- Where are the Cooling Tower Hot water basin distribution valves located?
At the top of the Cooling Tower, beneath the deck.
- Where would you reset a vibration trip on a Cooling tower Circ. Pump?
There is a reset in the control panel and on the pump
- What buses are associated with the cooling tower?
F, G, M
- What should be checked when walking down the cooling tower?
Fan Motor heat, vibration, oil level, oil leaks Fan Shrouds Grounding Rods Deck Lighting Manhole Covers Louvers Ice build up during winter Structure of the cooling tower
- How many fans are on Unit #1, #2 and #3 towers?
Unit #1 – 16 fans
Unit #2 – 18 fans
Unit #3 – 14 fans
- What is the normal operating level in the cooling tower basin?
72 inches