Coal
Based Power Plants
When coal
is used for electricity generation, it is usually pulverised and then burned in
a furnace with a boiler. The furnace heat converts boiler water to steam, which
is then used to spin turbines which turn generators and create electricity.
The
thermodynamic efficiency of this process has been improved over time.
‘Standard’ steam turbines have topped out with some of the most advanced
reaching about 35% thermodynamic efficiency for the entire process, which means
65% of the coal energy is waste heat released into the surrounding environment.
Old coal power plants, especially ‘grandfathered’ plants, are significantly
less efficient and produce higher levels of waste heat.
About
40% of the world's electricity comes from coal.
Advantages
of Coal Based Thermal Power Plant
- They can respond to
rapidly changing loads without difficulty
- A portion of the steam
generated can be used as a process steam in different industries
- Steam engines and
turbines can work under 25 % of overload continuously
- Fuel used is cheaper
- Cheaper in production cost in comparison with that of diesel power stations
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