The energy budget approach to cooling ponds has been outlined and applied to closed cycle, recirculating cooling ponds. Monthly average weather data from 88 stations throughout the U.S. were used to calculate equilibrium temperatures, heat exchange coefficients, and the average temperature of various sized ponds receiving the effluent from a standard power plant of 1000-mw capacity, both for average and extreme weather conditions. The data for each station is shown on a separate chart, and the variation of these results across the U.S. is depicted by a series of 38 maps of the U.S., with contours connecting equal values of the parameters. The results may also be used to estimate cooling pond performance for other sized power plants and other sized ponds. The maps disclose variations across the U.S., on a given date, of up to 55F in equilibrium temperature, up to 100% difference in heat exchange coefficients, and up to 50F difference in pond temperatures. Increase of pond temperature over equilibrium is greater in winter than in summer.

"Grant no. R-800613; Program element 1BAO32; ROAP 21AJH/Task 12." Report prepared by Vanderbilt University, Department of Environmental and Water Resources Engineering, Nashville, Tennessee. Includes bibliographical references (page 49).