POWER PLANTS

Power generation plant is a facility designed to produce electrical energy from another form of energy
Such as steam, diesel, hydro, nuclear power plant.

STEAM POWER PLANT

A steam powerplant converts the chemical energy of the fossil fuels(coal, oil, gas) or fissile fuels
( Uranium, Thorium) into electrical energy.

Steam powerplant basically working on Rankine cycle, steam is produced in the boiler by utilizing the
heat of fuel combustion, that steam is expanded through the steam turbine, that steam turbine drives
the generator which converts the mechanical energy of the turbines in to electrical energy.

1.THERMAL POWER PLANT

In Thermal Power plants, the heat of combustion of fossil fuel (Coal, oil, or gas) is utilized by the boiler to
turn water into steam with high pressure and temperature. The coal is broken into pieces for easy
combustion to heat the water in the boiler. From the boiler, the steam is passed through the superheater
to increase the pressure and made to hit the turbines.
The steam produced is used in driving the steam turbines or sometimes steam engine coupled
generators and electrical energy is generated.

The steam generating plant consists of a boiler and other auxiliary equipment for the utilization of flue
gases. It is the major part of the power plant where steam is generated.

Components of thermal power plants

Boiler:

The heat developed due to the combustion of coal is utilized in the boiler for converting the water into
steam at high temperatures and pressure. he flue gases from the boiler will flow through the
superheater, Economiser, Air preheater, and finally, exhaust to the atmosphere through the chimney.

Super Heater:

The steam produced from the boiler is wet and if this steam passes through the steam turbine, the
turbines may get damaged. In order to avoid this condition the steam produced from the boiler is further
heated at Super Heater.

The main function of a superheater in a boiler is to increase the temperature of the steam above the
boiling point of water by utilizing the heat from the flue gases.
Economiser:

An economiser in a boiler is essentially a feed water heater. The feed water is fed to the economiser
before supplying to the boiler. The main function of an economiser is that it will increase the
temperature of feed water by utilizing the heat from the hot flue gases.

Air Preheater:

It is placed in between the boiler and the economizer. It increases the temperature of the air supplied for
coal burning by deriving heat from flue gases.

steam condenser

The steam condenser is a device that converts low pressure exhaust steam from the turbine into the
water.

Steam Turbines

A steam turbine is a rotating machine that converts the heat energy of steam into mechanical energy.
The superheated steam from the superheater is fed to the turbine which will convert heat energy into
mechanical energy.

Alternator (or) Generator:

An alternator is coupled to the same shaft of the turbine which will convert the mechanical energy of the
turbine into electrical energy. The electrical energy developed by the alternator is delivered to the bus
bars through the transformer, circuit breakers, and isolators.

Advantages:

• Making Energy from Thermal Power plants is easy.

• The fuel used (coal) is cheap.

• Thermal Power Plant can be set up anywhere near fuel and water supply.

• It requires less space as compared to the hydroelectric power station.

Dis-Advantages:
 • Thermal Power Plants use Fossil Fuels to generate electricity, and these fossil fuels causes
pollution.

• A large water source is required to convert water into steam.

• It has low overall efficiency.

• Its maintenance cost is high.

2.HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER PLANT

The process of utilizing hydropower to generate energy is referred to as hydroelectricity. The

gravitational force of falling water is used to generate hydropower. There is no water used in the energy
generating process. Hydroelectricity is the most frequently utilized renewable energy source, accounting
for 3% of total global energy consumption

Working Principle of Hydroelectric Power Plant

The energy is generated by harnessing the gravitational force of water. The first thing which is needed is
an elevated dam to prevent the flow of water and collect it in one location.

When all of the liquid is collected, a significant amount of prospective energy is held in the water. The
floodgates are then opened, allowing high-pressure water to flow.

Potential energy is transformed into kinetic energy when water moves. When rushing water strikes the
turbine blades, the kinetic energy of the water is turned into mechanical energy. This turbine is then
linked to a generator.

The generator in the powerhouse creates energy while the turbine quickly turns. The water flows into
the river, by lowering the water level in the dam. This level will rise once again as a result of natural
precipitation. As a result, it is a non-depletable natural resource.
The diagram above depicts a typical hydroelectric power plant structure and its major components.

Dam and Reservoir:

The dam is built on a wide river in mountainous terrain to guarantee enough water storage at height.
Behind the dam is a big reservoir. The reservoir’s water level (called the water head) controls how much
potential energy is stored in it.

Control gate:

Water from the reservoir is permitted to flow via the penstock into the turbine through the control gate.
A control gate can be used to regulate the amount of water discharged into the penstock. The greatest
amount of water is discharged via the penstock when the regulating gate is fully opened.

Penstock:

It is a massive steel pipe that transports water from the reservoir to the turbine. Water’s potential
energy is transformed into kinetic energy when it flows down through the penstock owing to gravity.

Water Turbine:

The water turbine receives water from the penstock. An electric generator is mechanically linked to the
turbine. The kinetic energy of the water powers the turbine, which drives the generator. Water turbines
are classified into two types: impulse turbines and reaction turbines. Large heads are handled by impulse
turbines, whereas low and medium heads are handled by reaction turbines.

Generator:
It is mechanically linked to the turbine shaft and is placed in the powerhouse. When the turbine blades
revolve, they drive the generator, which generates energy, which is then improved for transmission with
the support of a transformer

Surge Tank:

Surge tanks are typically used in large or medium output power plants when a lengthy penstock is
required. A surge tank is a compact reservoir or tank that has an open top. It is installed between the
reservoirs and the power station. To decrease pressure fluctuations in the penstock, the level of water
in the surge tank rises and lowers. When there is a rapid decrease in turbine load, the governor closes
the turbine gates to restrict water flow. This produces excessively high pressure in the penstock. This is
avoided by utilizing a surge tank, which raises the water level to minimize pressure.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power Plant

Advantages

Rainwater is kept in the dam. As a result, it is regarded as a renewable energy source.

Dam construction aids in the irrigation of local farmers while also aiding in flood management.

This way of generating power produces no pollutants

Their operating costs are quite minimal.

Disadvantages

Hydropower facilities require a large investment with a low rate of return.

Dams are only permitted in specific places.

A large portion of farmland is underwater.