Energy Engineering Practice Test: Steam Power Plant — Flashcards

Steam Power Plant topics include: Steam plant necessity, coal and ash handling system, cooling water system, thermal power plant working, fuels and combustion, fuels types, artificial solid and liquid fuels, nuclear and combustion fuels, fuels calorific values, fuel burning, stoker principle, stokers types, pulverised fuel burning and handling, coal weighing methods and mechanical dust collectors. 

A steam power plant is a thermal power station that converts heat energy into electrical energy. The plant consists of a boiler, steam turbine, generator, and other auxiliaries. 

Here's how a steam power plant works:
Water is heated and turned into steam.
The steam spins a steam turbine.
The steam turbine converts the heat energy of the steam into mechanical energy.
The generator converts the mechanical energy into electric power.
After passing through the turbine, the steam is condensed in a condenser. 

So, basically, a steam/thermal power station uses heat energy generated from burning coal to produce electrical energy. This type of power station is widely used around the world. This power station uses the Rankine cycle. This is the cycle of the steam produced in the boiler, then taken to the Steam turbine (prime mover).

Steam power plants have some advantages, including:
Cheaper than fossil fuels: Water is cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives.
Reusable: Steam holds energy, making it reusable.
Small storage space: Water requires relatively little space to store.
High safety ratings: Steam power has high safety ratings. 

However, steam power plants also have some disadvantages, including:
High maintenance and operating costs
High pollution
High water requirement