Author(s): Gunter W. Marotz
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Abstract: In recent years constantly bigger and higher performance seawater desalination and power plant. combinations have been built in rapid succession on the marine coasts in tropical and subtropical regions of the earth. These plants require intake facilities lying on the coast and frequently several hundred me- ter long pipelines. In warm seas a great problem with such intake facilities is the danger of mussel colonization in the pipe- line between the intake structure and the pump house. Because of the high water temperature the incrusta- tion proceeds very quickly, which first of all reduces the effective diameter of the pipe, and secondly increases the roughness of the pipe wall. The results are higher pressure losses in the pipe, increased energy costs for pumping, and sharply falling discharge. A mussel cover thickness of 10 cm for instance in a 2000 mm diameter pipe can already effect a 40 % or more reduction of discharge. The removal of these kinds of mussel incrustations, which often reach a thickness of 10 to 20 cm, is difficult; the possibilities are given in Chapter 4.1. However, it is much more practical to prevent mus- sel incrustation in the pipeline from the beginning, i. e., fight the larvae, not the mussels. To this end numerous experiments were carried out which led to different constructive solutions (production of a struc- - turally induced low pressure of 0.6 bar. in the pipe; introduction of biocidal agents at the intake; the use of smooth plastic pipes, etc. (see 4.2) ). The possibilities and limits of the different methods, as well as their advantages and di sadvantages, are here explained and classified in consideration to their effect on the environment.
Year: 1985