kølevandet

Kølevandet, meaning "cooling water" in Danish, refers to water used to cool industrial processes, particularly in power plants and other manufacturing facilities. This water is typically drawn from a natural source like a river, lake, or the sea and then circulated through a system to absorb excess heat. After absorbing the heat, the water is usually returned to its source, though often at a higher temperature.

The discharge of heated kølevandet into natural water bodies can have significant environmental impacts. This phenomenon, known as thermal pollution, can raise the temperature of the receiving waters, affecting aquatic ecosystems. Increased water temperatures can reduce dissolved oxygen levels, stressing fish and other organisms, and can alter the reproductive cycles and migration patterns of many species. In some cases, the thermal shock from sudden temperature changes can be lethal.

To mitigate these effects, power plants and industrial facilities employ various cooling methods. Once-through cooling systems, where water is drawn, used once, and discharged, are common but have the highest thermal impact. Closed-loop systems, which recirculate water and cool it through cooling towers or ponds before returning it to the process, significantly reduce the volume of heated water discharged directly into the environment. The management and regulation of kølevandet discharge are important aspects of environmental protection in industrialised regions.