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(18) Cooling pond
A 350-acre man-made cooling pond provides water to condense the steam produced in the boiler. About a mile long and an average of 14 feet deep, the pond ensures zero discharge of warm water into any waterway. Water for the pond is drawn from nearby Big Stone Lake at times when the lake’s water level is above normal. Fish grow quickly in the cooling pond, and it's a popular winter refuge for waterfowl.

(19) Condenser
In the condenser cooling water removes heat from the low-pressure steam that has exited from the turbine. The steam is converted back to water.

(20) Brine concentrator
Because water from the cooling pond is reused many times, its mineral content becomes concentrated. This can result in scaling in pipes and tubing, reducing their efficiency. This $14.5 million brine concentrator removes the mineral content from the water before it enters the plant.

Areas of power plant

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