EFFECTS OF OIL POLLUTION ON INDUSTRIAL WATER INTAKES1
ABSTRACT Oil spills in coastal waters sometimes give rise to concerns that oil may become entrained in the seawater intakes of power stations, desalination units, and other industrial plants. This paper reviews the findings of an investigation, undertaken by the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation and Sir M. MacDonald & Partners, on the effects of oil pollution on water-cooled electricity-generating stations and desalination plants using multistage flash distillation and reverse osmosis. The various components that could be contaminated by oil are described and, using case studies wherever possible, the effects on equipment, heat transfer surfaces, and potable water are discussed. Finally considered are various methods of minimizing the impact of oil and financial implications of oil contamination for the different types of industrial plant.