STEAM POWER PLANT

·0 WHAT IS STEAM POWER PLANT?

A plant designed to convert the heat from the combustion of a fuel into mechanical energy by
means of steam. Mechanical energy is generally not the end product of a steam power plant but
is transformed by electric generators into electric power, which is then transmitted to
consumers; this type of steam power plant is called a steam electric power plant.

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). From the turbine the steam is cooled back to
water in the Condenser, the resulting water is fed back into the boiler to repeat the cycle.

Because of the abundance of fuel (coal), this kind of power station can be used to produce large
amounts of electrical energy. In most countries these power stations are used as base load
power stations. This is because steam power stations are slow to start and can not be used to
cater for peak loads that generally occur for a short duration.

·1 PARTS OF STEAM POWER PLANT

Boiler

Boiler has the function to convert water into steam. The process of change of water to vapor
done by heating the water in the pipes with heat from burning fuel. Combustion processes
carried out continuously in the combustion chamber with fuel and air flow from the outside.The
resulting steam is superheat steam which have high temperature and high pressure. Steam
production quantities dependent on the surface area of heat transfer, flow rate, and the heat of
combustion is given. Boiler construction consisting of water-filled pipes called a water tube
boiler

Steam Turbine

Steam turbine working to change the heat energy contained in the steam into rotary motion.
Steam with high pressure and temperature were directed to push turbine blades mounted on
the shaft, so the shaft rotates. Due to perform work on the turbine, the pressure and
temperature of steam coming into the turbine down to saturated vapor. This steam then flows to
the condenser, while the rotary power is used to turn a generator. Today almost all of the steam
turbine is a type of condensing turbine
Condenser

Condensers are devices to convert steam into water. The changes done by the steam flow into a
room containing tubes. Steam flows outside tubes, while the cooling water flowing inside the
tubes. This is called surface condenser condenser. Usually for coolant use sea water.

Generator

The main purpose of the activities at a plant is electricity. Electrical energy generated from the
generator. Function generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in the form of a
round with the principle of magnetic induction. Generator consists of stator and rotor. stator
consists of the casing which contains coils and a rotor magnetic field station consists of a core
containing a coil

·2 ADVANTAGES

1. As compared with power generating plant, it has low initial cost and hence economical.

2. Less land area is required as compared with the hydro power plant.

3. Coal is used as fuel and the cost of coal is cheaper than petrol and diesel fuel. So the
power generation cost is economical.

4. This power plant has easy maintenance cost.

5. Steam power plant can be installed in any area where water sources and transportation
facility are easily available.

·3 DISADVANTAGES

6. The running cost of steam power plant is comparatively high because of fuel,
maintenance etc

7. If we talk about the overall efficiency of steam power plant, than is about 35 % to 41%
which is low.

8. Due to the release of burnt gases of the coal or fuel, it contributes to the global warming
to a larger extent.

9. The heated water that is thrown in the rivers, ponds etc puts and adverse effect on the
living organism of water and disturbs the ecology.
GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT

·4 WHAT IS GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT?

A gas turbine is a combustion engine that can convert natural gas or other liquid fuels to
mechanical energy. This energy then drives a generator that produces electrical energy. It is
electrical energy that moves along power lines to homes and businesses.

The thermodynamic process used by the gas turbine is known as the Brayton cycle. Analogous to
the Carnot cycle in which the efficiency is maximised by increasing the temperature difference of
the working fluid between the input and output of the machine, the Brayton cycle efficiency is
maximised by increasing the pressure difference across the machine.

·5 PARTS OF THE GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT

Compressor:

The compressor used in gas power plant is rotating type. The air at atmosphere pressure is
drawn by the compressor through a filter which removes the dust. The rotary blades in the
compressor push the air through the stationary blades to raise its pressure. Thus air with high
pressure is available at compressor output.

Regenerator:

A regenerator is a device which recovers the heat from the exhaust gases to heat the air from
the compressor. The exhaust is passes through regenerator before releasing it to the
atmosphere. Several numbers of tubes are nested in a shell of the compressor. The compressed
air passes through these tubes and exhaust gases from the gas turbine passes through the shell
side which transfers heat to the compressed air. In this way compressed air heated by the
exhaust gases which is an effective usage of waste gasses.

Combustion chamber:

This is one of the important components of the gas power plant where the high pressure air
from the compressor is entered in it via regenerator. The air from regenerator is quietly heated
which is not adequate to drive the gas turbine. Only hot air with high pressure can only drive the
gas turbine. So in combustion chamber the compressed air is heated up to high temperature
(3000 F). The heat is added to the air by burning oil which is injected through a burner in to the
chamber at high pressure. The heated air with high pressure is then applied to gas turbine after
it attains suitable temperature.

Gas Turbine:

This is heart component of the gas power plant. The hot air with high pressure and temperature
is passed through gas turbine. The gases are expanded on the gas turbine blades which causes
the rotation of blades to the intended mechanical work. After expanding, the exhaust gases with
the temperature about 900 F are applied to the regenerator.

Alternator:

Alternator is directly coupled with the gas turbine same as in the case of steam power plant.
Alternator converts the mechanical energy of the turbine in to electrical energy. The output
generated electrical energy is then passed to the grid through a generator transformer, isolators
and circuit breakers.

Starting motor:

The starting motor is placed to start the compressor before starting the plant. This works as the
initial driving component for the compressor. The starting motor is coupled to the same shaft of
the gas turbine for this purpose. Once the gas turbine starts rotating, some part of the
mechanical energy is used to drive the compressor and the starting motor is turned off. The
starting motor is driven by the batteries.

·6 ADVANTAGES

10. The design of gas power plant is simple compared to steam power plant as that it does
not require boiler and its auxiliaries.

11. Occupies less space and size compared to the steam power plants where the boiler and
feed water arrangement is not needed.

12. Initial and Operation costs are lower compared to all other plants.

13. Gas turbines are simple in construction compared to steam turbines and the
maintenance of them is also less.
 14. It requires less water compared to steam power plants where the condenser is required.

15. It can be started with less time from cold conditions.

·7 DISADVANTAGES

16. The efficiency and net output power is less because some amount of mechanical power
is used to drive the compressor.

17. Initial external power is needed to drive the compressor until the plant starts generating.

COAL POWER PLANT

WHAT IS COAL POWER PLANT?

Coal-fired plants produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to produce steam. The steam
produced, under tremendous pressure, flows into a turbine, which spins a generator to create
electricity. The steam is then cooled, condensed back into water and returned to the boiler to
start the process over.

Countries such as South Africa use coal for 94% of their electricity and China and India use coal
for 70-75% of their electricity needs, however the amount of coal China uses dwarfs most other
countries.

DIESEL ENGINE POWER PLANT

WHAT IS DIESEL ENGINE POWER PLANT?

A Diesel power station(also known as Stand-by power station) uses a diesel engine as prime
mover for the generation of electrical energy.

This power station is generally compact and thus can be located where it is actually required.
This kind of power station can be used to produce limited amounts of electrical energy. In most
countries these power stations are used as emergency supply stations.

Diesel power plants are divided into two main classes: stationary and mobile. Stationary diesel
power plants use four-stroke diesel engines (less frequently, two-stroke diesel engines), with
power ratings of 110, 220, 330, 440, and 735 kilowatts (kW). Stationary diesel power plants are
classed as average in their power rating if the rating does not exceed 750 kW; large diesel power
plants can have a power rating of 2,200 kW or more.

PARTS OF DIESEL ENGINE POWER PLANT

Diesel engine

Diesel engine is one of the main components present in the diesel power plant. Mainly the
engines are classified in to two types they are two stroke engine and four stroke engine. In the
diesel engine the engine is straight away joined to the generator to develop power. In the engine
the air entered in the cylinder must be compressed. Fuel must be injected by the end of the
compression stroke. After the burning of the fuel the burnt gases expand and apply pressure on
the piston. To the generator the shaft of the engine is straightly attached to the engine. After the
completion of the combustion the burnt gases are ejected in the atmosphere.

Air filters

Air filters are used to remove the dust particles present in the air during the entrance in to the
engine. Air filters are a dry air filter type which consists of wool, felt or cloth. In case of the oil
bath type filters the air is brushed over a bath of oil so the dust must be elements that get
coated.

Super chargers

The super changers are used to increase the air pressure which is provided to the engine. Then
the power of the engine is improved.

Engine starting system

In the diesel power plant diesel engine used is not self-starting. Starting of the engine includes
the air tanks along with the air compressor. In the cold conditions the engine is started by
delivering the air.
Fuel system

The fuel system contains the fuel transfer pump, fuel pump, storage tank, heaters and strainers.
With the help of the Pumps the diesel from the storing tank is drawn and with the help of the
filter it is supplied to the small day tank. Day tank delivers the day-to-day fuel essential for the
engine. In place of the high placed flows the day tank is used so that the diesel movements the
engine takes place under gravity. Again the diesel filtered before it is injected into the engine
with the help of fuel injection pump.

With the help of the fuel injection system some functions are performs they are

Initially the fuel must be filtered

At the time of injection of the fuel correct quantity is to be injected in to the system.

Injection process must take place at a particular time

The fuel supply must be regulated

In the combustion chamber atomized fuel must be separated properly.

According to the loads of the plants the fuel must be supplied.

Lubrication system

The lubrication system must includes oil tanks, coolers, pipes and oil pumps. The main aim is in
moving parts. It is used to reduce the friction and reduce tear and wear of the engine
components. Like cylinder walls and piston. Due to the friction the Lubrication oil must be gets
heated of and the moving parts are cooled earlier reflow. In the lubrication system the oil is
forced from the oil tank through the oil chiller. The oil is cooled with the cold water which enters
the engine. After cooling of the hot oil the moving parts are returned in to the lubricating oil
tank.

Cooling system

Inside the engine cylinder the high temperature of the burning fuel is around 1500 to 2000 C. In
case we lower this temperature the water is dispersed through the engine. The water jacket
covers the engine. And the heat from the piston, cylinder, and combustion chamber must be
passed by the flowing water. The level of the hot water in the jacket is delivered through the
heat exchanger. In the heat exchanger, the heat is carried away by the water which is circulated
over the heat exchanger and the water is cooled in the cooling tower
Governing system

The governing system is used to control the speediness of the engine. This is completed by
changing the fuel stream permitting it to the engine load

Exhaust system

The exhaust gases approaching out of the engine are very loud. To reduce the sound a silencer is
used.

·8 APPLICATION

18. Diesel power plant’s is in the range of 2 to 50 MW capacity. They are used as central
station for small or medium power supplies.

19. They can be used as stand-by plants to hydro-electric power plants and steam power
plants for emergency services.

20. They can be used as peak load plants in combinations with thermal or hydro-plants.

21. They are quite suitable for mobile power generation and are widely used in
transportation systems such as automobiles, railways, air planes and ships.

22. Now-a-days power cut has become a regular feature for industries. The only solution to
tide over this difficulty is to install diesel generating sets.

·9 ADVANTAGES

23. Plant layout is simple. Hence it can be quickly installed and commissioned, while the
erection and starting of a steam power plant or hydro-plant takes a fairly long time.

24. Quick starting and easy pick-up of loads are possible in a very short time.

25. Location of the plant is near the load center.

26. The load operation is easy and requires minimum labors.

27. Efficiency at part loads does not fall so much as that of a steam plant.

28. Fuel handling is easier and no problem of ash disposal exists.

 29. The plant is smaller in size than steam power plant for same capacity.

30. Diesel plants operate at high overall efficiency than steam.

·10 DISADVANTAGES

31. Plant capacity is limited to about 50 MW of power.

32. Diesel fuel is much more expensive than coal.

33. The maintenance and lubrication costs are high.

34. Diesel engines are not guaranteed for operation under continuous, while steam can
work under 25% of overload continuously.

HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT

WHAT IS HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANT?