Thermal Power Plant Layout

Posted on 23/09/2011 by coalpowerplant

Thermal Power Plant Layout

Thermal Power Plants is power plants with steam driven that convert the coal material
as fuel and other fuel energy to mechanical energy, thermal energy and ultimately into
electrical energy. Thermal power plant layout variations are basically due to the use of
different fuel sources. Below sample simplified Thermal Power Plants layout.

image source: powerelectrical.blogspot.com

 image source: www.ndt.net

image source: en.wikipedia.org

Thermal power plant works as per Rankine Cycle theory . As per Rankine
Cycle theory, In a thermal power plant layout, steam can produced in a steam boiler is
used to spin a steam turbine, which rotates the generator. The steam is then
condensed and pumped into the steam boiler to repeat the cycle. The steam turbine in
the thermal power plant layout does other tasks too depending on the apparatus
connected to it.

Below main circuits in any thermal power plant layout are:

- Air and Gas Circuit
- Coal and Ash Circuit
- Cooling Water Circuit
- Feed Water and Steam Circuit

Main parts of the thermal power plant layout are:

1. Coal conveyor
Coal conveyor belts is a belt type of arrangement.With Coal conveyor belts, coal is
transported from coal storage place in power plant to the place near by boiler.
2. Stoker
Stoker is a mechanical device for feeding coal to a coal furnace. The coal which is
brought near by boiler has to put in boiler furnance for combustion.
3. Pulverizer
A pulverizer is a device for grinding coal for combustion in a furnace in a power
plant. Pulverizer use for pulverization before for coal is put in the boiler.

4. Boiler
Boiler is an enclosed vessel in which water is heated and circulated until the water is
turned in to steam at the required pressure.
Bolilers type as:
Fire tube boilers
Water tube boilers
Superheater
Reheater
5. Coal ash
6. Air preheater/air heater/air-heating system
Air preheater is a device used in steam boilers to transfer heat from the flue gases to the
combustion air before the air enters the furnace.
7. Electrostatic precipitator
Electrostatic precipitator is a device which removes dust or other finely divided particles
from flue gases by charging the particles inductively with an electric field, then
attracting them to highly charged collector plates.
8. Smoke stack/Chimney
A chimney/Smoke stack is a system for venting hot flue gases or smoke from a steam
boiler, stove, furnace or fireplace to the outside atmosphere.
9. Turbine
10. Condenser
Steam after rotating staem turbine comes to condenser.Condenser refers here to the
shell and tube heat exchanger (or surface condenser) installed at the outlet of every
steam turbine in Thermal power stations of utility companies generally.

11. Transformers
Transformers is a device that transfers electric energy from one alternating-current
circuit to one or more other circuits, either increasing (stepping up) or reducing
(stepping down) the voltage.
12. Cooling towers
The condensate (water) formed in the condeser after condensation is initially at high
temperature.This hot water is passed to cooling towers.
13. Generator
An alternator/Generator is an electromechanical device that converts mechanical energy
to alternating current electrical energy.
14. High – votge power lines

OPERATIONS OF A THERMAL POWER

STATION
Singapore uses Thermal Power Stations for the generation of electricity. Due to
the fact that Singapore is a large island, the power plants are located near the sea.
(This will be explained later.)
Below is a Diagram of the Basic Operation of a Thermal Power Station.

-We used coals as fuel for the generation of heat energy. As the water in the
Boiler evaporated due to the intense heat, it becomes high-pressurized steams.

-And the steams are passing through a conduit (there is a turbine at the other end
of the tunnel), it forces its way through the Turbine, thus rotating the Turbine.
(As the steams are high-pressurized, the Turbine will rotate very fast.)

-The Turbine is connected to a Generator via a coupler. As the Turbine is rotating

(from the force of the steams), electrical energy is being produced.

Water vapor, or water in its gaseous state. Steam is the most widely used working fluid in
external combustion engine cycles, where it will utilize practically any source of heat, that is,
coal, oil, gas, nuclear fuel (uranium and thorium), waste fuel, and waste heat. It is also
extensively used as a thermal transport fluid in the process industries and in the comfort heating
and cooling of space. The universality of its availability and its highly acceptable, well-defined
physical and chemical properties also contribute to the usefulness of steam.

The temperature at which steam forms depends on the pressure in the boiler. The steam formed
in the boiler (and conversely steam condensed in a condenser) is in temperature equilibrium with
the water. Under these conditions, with steam and water in contact and at the same temperature,
the steam is termed saturated. Steam can be entirely vapor when it is 100% dry, or it can carry
entrained moisture and be wet. After the steam is removed from contact with the liquid phase,
the steam can be further heated without changing its pressure. If initially wet, the additional heat
will first dry it and then raise it above its saturation temperature. This is a sensible heat addition,
and the steam is said to be superheated. Superheated steam at temperatures well above the
boiling temperature for the existing steam pressure follows closely the laws of a perfect gas.
Chiefly because of its availability, but also because of its nontoxicity, steam is widely used as the
working medium in thermodynamic processes. It has a uniquely high latent heat of vaporization.
Steam has a specific heat about twice that of air and comparable to that of ammonia. The specific
heat of steam is relatively high so that it can carry more thermal energy at practical temperatures
than can other usable gases. See also Boiler; Boyle's law; Charles' law; Dalton's law; Entropy;
Steam engine; Steam-generating unit; Steam heating; Steam turbine; Water desalination.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/steam-11#ixzz1llmtrM00

A Geothermal Power Plant

There are three geothermal power plant technologies being used to convert hydrothermal fluids to electricity.

The conversion technologies are dry steam, flash, and binary cycle.

Read on for more - and be sure to watch the video at the bottom of the page too. It shows how a geothermal
power plant works!

The type of conversion used depends on the state of the fluid (whether steam or water) and its temperature.
Dry steam power plant systems were the first type of geothermal power generation plants built. They use the
steam from the geothermal reservoir as it comes from wells, and route it directly through turbine/generator units
to produce electricity.

Flash steam plants are the most common type of geothermal power generation plants in operation today. They use
water at temperatures greater than 182°C (360°F) that is pumped under high pressure to the generation
equipment at the surface.

Dry Steam Power Plants

Steam plants use hydrothermal fluids that are primarily steam. The steam goes directly to a turbine, which drives a
generator that produces electricity. The steam eliminates the need to burn fossil fuels to run the turbine. (Also
eliminating the need to transport and store fuels!)

This is the oldest type of geothermal power plant. It was first used at Lardarello in Italy in 1904, and is still very
effective. Steam technology is used today at The Geysers in northern California, the world's largest single source of
geothermal power. These plants emit only excess steam and very minor amounts of gases.

Binary cycle geothermal power generation plants differ from Dry Steam and Flash Steam systems in that the water

or steam from the geothermal reservoir never comes

in contact with the turbine/generator units.

Flash Steam Power Plants

Hydrothermal fluids above 182°C (360°F) can be used in flash plants to make electricity.

Fluid is sprayed into a tank held at a much lower pressure than the fluid, causing some of the fluid to rapidly
vaporize, or "flash." The vapor then drives a turbine, which drives a generator.

If any liquid remains in the tank, it can be flashed again in a second tank to extract even more energy.
Binary-Cycle Power Plants
Most geothermal areas contain moderate-temperature water (below 210°C). Energy is extracted from these fluids
in binary-cycle power plants.

Hot geothermal fluid and a secondary (hence, "binary") fluid with a much lower boiling point than water pass
through a heat exchanger. Heat from the geothermal fluid causes the secondary fluid to flash to vapor, which then
drives the turbines.

Because this is a closed-loop system, virtually nothing is emitted to the atmosphere.

Moderate-temperature water is by far the more common geothermal resource, and most geothermal power plants
in the future will be binary-cycle plants.

Here is a great animation showing exactly how a geothermal power plant works.
Various Plants used for Generation of Electric Power :
Hydroelectric, Nuclear and Thermal Power Plants
Parts & Working.
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By ayurveda

See all 10 photos

The different plants used for generation of electric power are the following.
1. Hydroelectric power plant.

2. Nuclear power plant.

3. Thermal power plant.

Hydroelectric Power Plant

Hydro electric power plants convert energy available from flowing water into electricity. These power
stations are suitable where water resources with sufficient head are available.

The layout of a typical hydroelectric power plant and description of all major parts are given below.

Layout
1. Reservoir : The basic requirement of a hydro electric power plant is a good reservoir where
large quantity of water is stored during flood season and used during dry season.

2. Dam : A reservoir is built by constructing a dam across a river. The function of the dam is to
increase the height of water level which in turn increases the reservoir capacity. the dam also
helps to increase the working head of the power plant.

3. Penstock : A pipe between the surge tank and the power house is known as pen stock. A pen
stock is a conductor that takes water from the reservoir to the power house. Usually steel, RCC
pipes are used. Penstocks are usually equipped with head gates at the inlet which can be
closed during the repair of penstocks.

4. Valve House : The valve house contains valves to control the water flow into the power house
during normal conditions. the automatic isolating valves in the valve house cuts off the water
supply when penstocks bursts.

5. Surge Tank : Surge tank is a small additional storage facility near the power house. It is
required when there is considerable distancle between the power house and the reservoir.
When the distance is more non-uniform water intake to the power house results in the bursting
of penstocks. In the absence of surge tank, the excess water rushes at the lower end causing
the penstock to burst. However in the presence of a surge tank and can be used whenever
there is any water shortage. Thus the surge tank acts as a shock absorber or a pressure
regulator tank.
6. Power House : A power house houses the turbine and the generator. The turbine rotates the
turbine shaft which in turn rotates the generator shaft, which is coupled to the turbine shaft.
Thus the turbine converts hydraulic energy into mechanical energy and the generator converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy. The power house is usually at the foot of the dam.

working of turbine

Advantages of Hydroelectric Power Plant

1. It also serves irrigation and flood control.

2. It requires no fuel.

3. Low start up time.

4. No pollution problem.

5. The generation cost is very low.

6. It uses simple technology.

7. Generally hydro electric power plants have longer life.

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Power plant

1. Cost of construction is high.

2. Large area is required for installation.

3. It affects the ecological balance of the area.

4. The generation is weather dependent.

5. Long gestation period.

Nuclear Power Plants

If nuclear fission reaction is made to occur in a controlled manner, then the energy released can be
used for constructive purposes like electricity generation. The arrangement or equipment used to
carry out fission reaction under controlled conditions is called a nuclear reactor. The energy
produced in a controlled manner can be used to produce steam which can run turbines and produce
electricity. This arrangement is employed in a nuclear power plant to generate electricity.

The schematic and main parts associated with a nuclear power plant are given below.
1. Nuclear Reactor : The nuclear fission reaction occurs in a nuclear reactor. The enriched fuel is
used in the reactors in the form of rods. To control the fission reaction, movable rods made of
cadmium or boron is suspended between the fuel rods. These rods control the fission process
by absorbing excess neutrons. These rods are called the control rods.Moderators are
substances used to slow down fast moving neutrons so that they are easily captured by the fuel
and bring about further fission reaction. Usually graphite or heavy water is used as moderators.

2. Protective concrete shield : The nuclear reactor is enclosed in a thick, massive, concrete,
shield so as to protect the surrounding from radiation.

3. Heat Exchanger : In order to absorb the heat produced during fission, a liquid called coolant is
circulated in the reactor core and heat exchanger. Generally heavy water is used as coolant. In
the heat exchanger, the steam is generated using the heat transferred from the reactor. The
large amount of heat generated during the nuclear fission of U-235 is used to convert water into
steam. This steam is then used to drive the turbines which are connected to electricity
generators. In this way, electricity is generated.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Plant

1. Radiation hazard is a major problem.

2. Disposal of radio active wastes creates difficulty.

3. It requires high initial cost.

 4. The fuel is expensive and not abundant.

5. It requires high technical knowledge for its operation.

Advantages of Nuclear Power Plant

1. Power generation is independent of weather conditions.

2. It requires less area for installation.

3. The quantity of fuel involved is less.

4. Pollution is less when compared to thermal power plants.

Thermal Power Plants

Thermal generation has a central role to play in supplying electric power, and we are striving for the
development of power generation technology that is even more efficient.

In a thermal power plant steam is produced and used to spin a turbine that operates a generator. A
conventional thermal power plant uses coal, oil or natural gas as fuel to boil water to produce the
steam. There are three major types of thermal power plants and they are the following.
 1. Steam turbine power plants.

2. Gas turbine power plants.

3. Diesel engine power plants.

4. steam turbine power plants use coal, oil or gas as fuel whereas gas turbines use oil or gas only
as fuel. In diesel power plants, diesel oil is used as the fuel.

Steam Turbine power Plant

Steam power plant facilities constitute a means of power generation that uses the expansion power
of steam. Fuel is burned inside a boiler to heat water and generate steam. This steam is then used
to drive turbines which in turn drive the power generators to make electricity. This steam is suitable
for the use of thermal energy of relative low temperature (below 600 degree celcius). The steam
coming out of the turbine is condensed to water and is recycled.

In order to improve the efficiency of the steam power plant, some additional functional parts such as
super heater, economizer etc. is also included in the plant. A schematic and different parts are
shown below.
 1. Coal and Ash System : In this system, the coal from the coal storage is fed to the boiler
through coal handling equipment for the generation of steam. Ash so produced due to ash
storage through ash-handling system

2. Air and Gas System : Air is supplied to the combustion chamber of the boiler through a
draught fan. The exhaust gases carrying sufficient quantity of heat and ash are passed through
the air heater and then passed into the boiler. the flue gases coming out of the boiler is of the
order of 1000 degree celcius. This hot gas is passed through different stages like super heater,
economizer, air pre-heater and at last, it is released out through the chimney.

3. Boiler House : Boilers burn the fuel transferred from the tank and use the resulting heat to
convert water into steam. Inside the boilers are tens of thousands of water carrying tubes.
When combustion commences, the temperature inside the boilers rises to between 1,100 and
1,500 degree celcius, the water inside the tubes is turned into high temperature and high
pressure steam, and the steam is transferred to the steam turbines. Coal and air in correct
proportion is sent to the boiler house for combustion to take place. Water is supplied to the
boiler through the boiler feed pump. This water is converted to steam in the boiler house.

4. Super Heater : Super heater is a heat exchanger that increases the steam pressure and also
eliminates moisture in the steam by using the high temperature flue gases from the boiler.

5. Economizer : The water from the condenser is passed to the economizer which heats up the
water and sends it to the boiler.

6. Air Pre-heater : Air pre-heater acts as heat exchanger. It uses heat from flue gases and heats
up the air coming from the air intake system. Then this heated air is send to boiler. This
ensures proper combustion and it helps to improve the overall efficiency of the power plant.

7. Cooling System : The steam produced in the boiler is sent to the turbine through the super
heater. The steam coming out of the turbine is condensed to water using the condenser and
cooling tower arrangement. The condensed water can be recycled through out the process. the
feed water pump sends this water to the boiler through the economizer. The steam is cooled by
seawater in condenser, restored to water, and then returned to the boiler for reuse. This cycle
of water, steam to water is repeated over and over again.

8. Turbine and Alternator : The steam produced in the boiler is sent to the turbine through the
super heater. This steam drives the turbine. The steam rotates the turbine blades at high speed
of 3,000 rpm. The turbines convert the heat energy into mechanical energy. This turns the
alternator, which is directly connected to the turbines. Alternators convert this mechanical
energy into electrical energy.

Flue-gas emissions from fossil-fuel combustion refers to the combustion-product gas resulting from the
burning of fossil fuels.[1] Most fossil fuels are combusted with ambient air (as differentiated from
combustion with pure oxygen). Since ambient air contains about 79 volume percent gaseous nitrogen
(N2),[2] which is essentially non-combustible, the largest part of the flue gas from most fossil-fuel
combustion is uncombusted nitrogen. The next largest part of the flue gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), which
can be as much as 10−25 volume percent or more of the flue gas. This is closely followed in volume by
water vapor (H2O) created by the combustion of the hydrogen in the fuel with atmospheric oxygen.
Much of the 'smoke' seen pouring from flue gas stacks is this water vapor forming a cloud as it contacts
cool air.

Gas Turbine Power Plant

Gas turbines use natural gas, oil etc. as fuel. There are two types of gas turbine cycles namely open
cycle and combined cycle. In open cycle, the fuel is burned in compressed air and the exhaust gas
produced is used to drive the gas turbine.

Layout and main components of a Gas turbine power plant are given below
 1. Compressor : The high flow rate of turbine coupled with relatively moderate pressure ratios
necessitates the use of rotary compressors. These are of two types. Centrifugal compressor
and Axial flow compressor. The axial flow compressor are commonly used in gas turbines
because of their higher efficiency (90-95%), even though they are less rugged in construction
and have lower pressure ratio, per stage of compression. The air, at atmospheric pressure, is
drawn by the compressor through an air filter. the blades are made of air foil section and set in
such a way that on rotation air moves towards the trailing edge of the blades. Diffusion takes
place as air enters the next set of moving blades, fixed on the stator. In each successive stage
compression takes place and air is available at high pressure at the output of the compressor.

2. Regenerator : Exhaust gas from the turbine have a substantial heat content which can be
utilized for heating the compressed air to be supplied for combustion in the combustion
chamber. the device where this heat exchange takes place is known as regenerator. It consists
of a nest of tubes in a shell. The exhaust gases flow inside the tube where as air flows outside
the tubes inside the shell, in opposite direction and heated up.

3. Combustion Chamber : The air, at high pressure from the regenerator is fed to the
combustion chamber where it is heated up by burning oil. the oil is injected through the burner
into the chamber, at high pressure to ensure its atomization and through mixing with air. The
temperature of chamber may go up to 3000 degree Fahrenheit and the combustion gases are
cooled to about 1500 degree Fahrenheit before being delivered to the gas turbine.

4. Gas Turbine : The mixture of gases at high temperature and pressure, from the combustion
chamber, moves to the gas turbine where it expands and delivers mechanical energy. The
temperature of the exhaust gases from the turbine is about 900 F. The gas turbines are
normally of axial flow type. the basic requirements of the turbine are light weight, longer life and
high efficiency.

5. Alternator : The gas turbine is coupled to an alternator. The mechanical energy of the gas
turbine is converted into electrical energy by the alternator.

6. Starting Motor : Compressor must be driven before it supplies compressed air to the turbine.
A motor is operated using either battery supply in case of an isolated system or regular supply.
In combined cycle power plants, the hot gas is used to produce steam as well and there is a
steam turbine in addition to the gas turbine. Since there is better energy utilization in this case,
the overall efficiency increases considerably.

Diesel Electric Power Plant

In the diesel electric power plant, diesel oil is used as fuel. The block schematic and different parts of
diesel electric plants are explained below.
1. Diesel Engine : This is the main component of the diesel electric power plant which develops
power. They may be 4 strokes or 2 stroke engine. 4 stroke engines has lower fuel consumption,
more flexibility, better scavenging and higher efficiency than 2 stroke. Cylinders are arranged in
V shape to make the engine more compact. 6 to 8 cylinders are commonly used. Speed is in
the range of 500-1000 rpm. The diesel engines are compression ignition type. Diesel engines
are available in sizes from 75kW to 3750kW.

2. Air filter and Supercharger : The function of air filter is to remove the dust from the air, which
is taken by the engine. The function of supercharger is to increase the pressure of air supplied
to the engine to increase the power of the engine. The supercharger is driven by the engine.

3. Exhaust system : This includes silencer and connecting ducts. silencer is required in between
the engine and the intake system, since the noise may be transmitted back to outside air via
the air intake system. The temperature of exhaust gases are really high that heat is used for
heating the oil or air supplied to the engine.

4. Fuel System : This includes fuel storage tank, fuel pump, fuel transfer pump, strainers and
heaters. the fuel is supplied according to the load on the plant. Strainers are provided to
remove the suspended impurities. Heaters are required to heat the oil, especially during winter
seasons.

5. Cooling System : This includes oil pumps, oil tanks, filters, coolers and connecting pipes. The
function of the lubricating system is to reduce the friction of moving parts and to reduce the
wear and tear of the engine parts. The life of engine and its efficiency largely depends on the
lubricating system.

6. Starting System : This includes compressed air tanks. The function of this system is to start
the engine from cold by supplying the compressed air.
7. Governing System : Their function is to maintain the speed of the engine constant irrespective
of load on the plant. This is done by varying fuel supply to the engine according to load.

8. Diesel Engine Generator : The generators used in diesel power plants are of rotating field,
salient pole construction, speed ranging from 214 to 1000 rpm and capacities ranging from 25-
5000 kVA at 0.8 power factor lagging. Generators are coupled directly to diesel engine. They
are provided with voltage regulators to allow voltage regulation. The excitation is usually
provided at 115 to 230 V from a DC exciter, usually coupled to the engine shaft through a belt.