ASSESSMENT OF WATER TREATMENT QUALITY AT THE WATER TREATMENT COMPLEX OF TPP-1 IN THE CITY OF SEMEY

Reliable and efficient operation of thermal power plants is impossible without high-quality water treatment. This is particularly important for facilities that use natural water sources characterized by high turbidity, suspended solids, and dissolved gases. This study examines the three-stage water treatment system used at the Semey TPP-1. The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of each stage of water purification: mechanical filtration, sodium-cation softening, and thermal degassing. The study included instrumental assessment of water quality before and after each treatment stage, visual inspection of the equipment, and analysis of operational documentation. The results demonstrate a high level of purification: anthracite-loaded mechanical filters reduce turbidity by more than 95%, sodium-cation exchange units lower hardness from 12 mg-eq/L to 0.05 mg-eq/L, and the deaerator reduces dissolved oxygen concentration to ≤ 0.05 mg/L. It is shown that adherence to technological parameters – such as filter loading levels, regeneration regimes, and backwashing intensity – directly affects purification efficiency and equipment durability. The findings confirm that the quality of treated water meets regulatory requirements for boiler feedwater. Based on the measurement results, a quantitative assessment was made of the performance efficiency of each unit in the water treatment system. These results can be used in the design and modernization of water treatment systems at similar thermal power facilities and provide practical value for developing engineering competencies in operating power equipment and water-chemical regimes.