Patent ID: 6286314
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
A process for reducing the concentration of a contaminant selected from the group consisting of boron, arsenic, mercury, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide in circulating water of a cooling tower having as at least one source of its make-up a steam condensate from a direct contact condenser condensing steam exhausted from a turbine powered with steam containing one or more of said contaminants, said process comprising:(1) collecting an early-produced, contaminant-rich fraction of total steam condensate produced in the turbine and condenser, said fraction including at least some steam condensate recovered after the final stage of the turbine;(2) separating said early-produced, contaminant-rich fraction from a steam of reduced contaminant content;(3) condensing said steam of reduced contaminant content in said direct contact condenser; and(4) supplying as a majority of the make-up to said cooling tower the steam condensate produced in step (3).