Water Level Variation Analysis in the Cooling Water Discharge Channel of Power Plant due to Installation of Ocean Small Hydropower Plant

A small hydropower plant(SHP) using cooling water discharged from the power plant was constructed in Samcheonpo. This study presents predicted and measured hydrological data in the construction process of small hydropower plant in order to evaluate characteristics of water level variation of cooling water discharge channel which is a key factor in the design of SHP since the water level rise of channel is related to impact on circulating water system of the existing power plant. Various methods were applied for prediction of water level variation in the design stage from simple empirical formula to sophisticated 3-dimensional CFD method. Measured results reveal that mean value was similar between measured and predicted, but measured results were larger than predicted in deviation. Moreover, simple formula, i.e. standard weir equation and Honma equation, were more useful before installation of SHP, but sophisticated methods during operation of SHP.