Question

How is the thermal power plant used to generate electricity?

Answer 1

1. The power plant in which the electricity is produced by burning coal is called a thermal power plant.
2. A thermal power station is a power plant in which the prime mover is steam-driven.
3. Water is heated, turns into steam and spins a steam turbine which drives an electrical generator.
4. After it passes through the turbine, the steam is condensed in a condenser and recycled to where it was heated. This is known as a Rankine cycle.
5. The greatest variation in the design of thermal power stations is due to the different fuel sources.
6. The energy efficiency of a conventional thermal power station, considered as salable energy as a percent of the heating value of the fuel consumed, is typically $33\%to48\%.$
7. This efficiency is limited as all heat engines are governed by the laws of thermodynamics. The rest of the energy must leave the plant in the form of heat.
8. This waste heat goes through a condenser and is disposed of with cooling water or in cooling towers.
9. If the wasted heat is utilized for direct heating, it is called co-generation.