Pavlo Kovtoniuk and Energoatom’s management, together with Yevhen Pysmennyi – Professor and Academic Supervisor of the Department of Nuclear Power Engineering at the Educational and Research Institute of Nuclear and Thermal Power Engineering of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute – discussed prospects for introducing new types of heat-exchange surfaces in cooling systems, particularly in dry cooling towers.
Amid rapid global warming and dropping river water levels during periods of extreme heat, which have already affected the operation of NPPs in various European countries this summer, dry cooling tower technology could become an important solution, as such systems consume virtually no water. Ukrainian scientists have already developed a unique design for heat-exchange tubes.
”This development is quite unique. The elements that form the basis of the heat exchanger are manufactured in this configuration practically nowhere else. Their use will enable the development of more compact cooling towers and create an opportunity to manufacture them in Ukraine,” explained Yevhen Pysmennyi.
”New nuclear power units need to be designed using dry cooling towers. That is why it is important to explore advanced technologies and engage Ukrainian scientists today so that we can use native potential,” said Acting CEO of Energoatom Pavlo Kovtoniuk.
One option could be a hybrid system in which dry and evaporative cooling towers operate in parallel: the dry type would operate at moderate temperatures, while the evaporative one would be activated during periods of extreme heat.
