What Are The Main Circuits In The Thermal Power Plant?

Thermal Power plant consists of four main circuits, they are:

Feed water and steam flow circuit.

Coal and ash circuit.

Air and gas circuit.

Cooling water circuit.

Steam Power Plant Works On Which Cycle?

Steam power plant works on the principle of Rankine Cycle.

What Is The Thermal Efficiency Of Steam Power Plant?

Thermal efficiency of steam power plant is defined as the ratio of heat equivalent of mechanical
energy transmitted to the turbine shaft to the heat of combustion. Generally Thermal efficiency
of the steam power plant will be in the range of 30-35%.

What Is The Overall Efficiency Of The Thermal Power Plant Or Steam Power Plant?

Overall efficiency of the system is defined as the ratio of heat equivalent of electrical output to
the heat of combustion. Generally Overall efficiency of the steam plant will always be less than t
he thermal efficiency of the steam plant, it will be of the order of 29-33%.

Overall efficiency of steam plant is determined by multiplying the thermal efficiency of the plant
with efficiency of the generator (electrical efficiency).

Why The Thermal Efficiency Of The Steam Power Plant Is Quite Low?

In Steam power station, more than 50% of the total heat of combustion is lost as heat rejected
to the condenser and the loss is unavoidable as the heat energy cannot be converted in to m
echanical energy with out a drop in temperature. Steam in the condenser is at lowest temperat
ure. This is the reason that the thermal efficiency of the power plant is quite low.
On What Factors Efficiency (thermal) Of The Steam Plant Depends?

Efficiency of the thermal plant depends on three factors, they are

pressure of steam entering the turbine

temperature of the steam entering the turbine

pressure in the condenser

Thermal efficiency increases with increase in temperature and pressure of the steam entering the
turbine. For this reason high temperature and pressure are used. Thermal efficiency is effectivel
y increased by decreasing the pressure in the condenser, so pressure in the condenser is kept a
s low as possible.

Thermal efficiency also increases by reheating the steam between turbine stages.

Why Efficiency In Thermal Power Plant Is Low?

Almost 50% of the heat generated is lost at the condenser as heat rejection. It is unavoidable a
s with out heat rejection it is not possible to convert heat energy into mechanical energy and d
rive the turbine without drop in temperature. Therefore majority of the loss takes place in the c
ondenser. Thus efficiency of the thermal power plant is between 30-35%.

On What Cycle Does Thermal Power Plant Operate?

Thermal Power plant works on the principle of Rankine cycle.

Why Generation Voltage In Thermal Power Plant Is Between 11kv To 33kv?

The current carrying conductor cross section depends upon the magnitude of the current it is c
arrying and insulation strength of the conductor depends on the maximum voltage it can withst
and. Therefore while designing the generator an optimum value is chosen between the amount
of the current and voltage conductor can withstand.
How Efficiency Of Thermal Plant Can Be Improved?

Some of the methods by which the efficiency of the thermal plant can be improved are:

By increasing the temperature and pressure of the steam entering the turbine.

By reducing the pressure in the condenser.

By reheating the steam between different stages between the turbine.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Thermal Power Plant?

Advantages:

Thermal Power Plants can be operated near the load centers unlike hydro and nuclear plants.

Requires less space compared to hydro plants and cost of construction is less.

Running or operating costs are less compared to diesel or gas plants.

Can able to handle over load for certain period of time.

Disadvantages:

Emits green house gases and causes pollution.

Coal and Ash handling requires large area.

Efficiency is low.

What Is Cavitation And Disadvantages Of Cavitation?

The formation of air bubbles and water vapour on the water surface due to the reduction in th
e pressure is called "Cavitation". When the pressure on the water reduces below the saturation
pressure corresponding to the temperature of the water, the rapid formation of the water vapou
r and air bubbles starts. The bubbles suddenly collapse with the violent action and this collapsin
g pressure will be very high. The rapid formation and collapsing of bubbles causes the pitting o
f the metal surface. Cavitation also reduces the efficiency of the hydraulic prime mover causing
the honey-combing of runner and blade contours which reduces the power output.

What Is The Largest Pump In The Thermal Power Plant?

In thermal power plant Boiler Feed Pump (BFP) is the largest pump, it delivers the water to the
boiler.

What Are Different Types Of Steam Boilers Used In Thermal Power Plants?

Different type of boiler used in thermal power plants are:

Fire tube boiler

Water tube boiler

Natural Circulation boiler

Forced Circulation boiler

Once through boiler

What Are Different Types Of Pulverizes?

Different types of Pulverizers are:

Ball tube mill.

Ring roll mill.

Hammer mill.

Attrition type mill.

What Is The Purpose Of Pulverizes?

Pulverizers serve two purposes, to dry the coal and to grind the coal. They crush the coal to si
ze of 74microns.
What Are The Different Auxiliary Systems In Thermal Power Plant?

Coal handling and storage, coal pulverizes water treatment plant, steam boiler, Drought systems
, Ash Handling systems, Steam turbine, Circulation water system, Electrical Systems, Control and I
nstrumentation, Pollution Control equipment, and Fire Protection System.

What Type Of Cooling Is Provided For Generator In Power Plant?

Hydrogen gas cooling is employed for large size generators because of better heat carrying abil
ity of the hydrogen. Hydrogen cooling is provided for rotors and core of the generator . Water
cooling is provided for the stator of the alternator.

What Are Different Types Of Circuit Breakers Employed In Thermal Power Plant?

For low voltage operation 415/220V vacuum circuit breakers or air break circuit breakers are em
ployed. For voltage ratings about 6.6kV and beyond SF6 circuit breakers are employed.

How Generator Transformer Is Cooled In Thermal Power Plant?

MVA power rating of the Generator Transformer will be equal to the alternator. Hence lot of he
at will be generated while generator transformer is under operation. Oil Forced Air Forced (OFA
F) type of cooling is employed for generator transformer.

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