HYDAC water-glycol cooling circuits for hydropower plants

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HYDAC’s cooling division has released a range of water-glycol cooling circuits (WGK) designed specifically for hydropower plants with a capacity up to 30 MW.

The HYDAC WGK is a compact system for closed cooling circuits that works with coolants such as water-glycol or water. The system consists of a motor-pump unit with displacement ranging from 50–1500 L/min to provide the desired flow for optimum cooling. Additional smart sensors and valves can be added as required.

When energy is generated by hydropower plants, heat losses arise due to copper windings and bearings heating up. Applications such as generator, bearing oil and control oil cooling are required to increase efficiency, keep bearing shells at a constant temperature and prevent other damage and increased wear. The coolant is normally re-cooled via heat exchangers positioned underwater or via additional air coolers and plate heat exchangers.

WGK features include customisation to desired flow rate as a result of a modular cooling system and an optional redundant motor-pump unit for increased availability and safety and 3/2 way mixing valve to keep the coolant at a constant temperature.

The WGK’s modular structure allows additional components to be added according to requirements.

Benefits include a compact and particularly low-maintenance system, easier planning due to consistent design and quick and easy pressure vessel testing with low coolant loss.