Table 2. Comparison of estimated entrainment from three power plants in 
Tampa Bay. 
PLANT DATA: 
Units 
Hiqqins 1 
3 
Biq Bend 2 
3 
Bartow 3 
3 
Circulating Pumps 
6 
6 
6 
Volume (MGD) 
234 
1,388 
561 
ENTRAINMENT ESTIMATES: 
Total Eggs 5.9 x 10 9 /9 mo 
8.6 x 10 10 /yr 
5.2 x 10 1 °/9 mo 
Total Larvae 3.8 
x 10 9 /9 mo 
2.6 x 10 10 /yr 
5.3 x 10 9 /9 mo 
j-Weiss et al. 1979 
^Phillips et al. 1977 
^Florida Power Corporation 1986. 
Several methods to reduce entrainment were considered (TBRPC 
1986b). One alternative to offstream cooling was to backfit the intakes 
of two units with continuously-washed, fine-mesh screens and an organism 
return system. If successful, this system could be an appealing option. 
At minimal cost, it would reduce the combined entrainment of four units 
to below that of three units fitted with conventional screens. Studies 
to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of installing a fine mesh 
screen system were conducted in 1980 on a prototype intake structure 
constructed in the plant intake canal. Survival of fish larvae impinged 
on the prototype fine mesh screen was disappointing, ranging from 0 to 
22% for the most abundant species. On the other hand, approximately 80% 
of bay anchovy eggs and 95% of drum eggs, the two most abundant egg 
types, hatched after the entrainment and wash procedure. Survival of the 
larvae of commercially abundant decapod larvae, pink shrimp (85%) and 
stone crab (92%), was also high. These survival rates were determined to 
be acceptable and fine mesh screen intake structures were subsequently 
built for the two units. Other power plants around the bay have not been 
adapted to reduce entrainment, however. 
167 
