COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT

Introduction A coal-fired power plant is a power plant that burns coal to generate electricity. Machinery within the plant converts the energy from coal combustion (heat) into mechanical energy, which operates an electrical generator. Byproducts of electricity production from coal-fired plants include nitrogen, nitrous oxides, sulfur oxides, fly ash and mercury. Ash from coalfired boilers must also be removed and disposed of. Coal-fired power plants are major emitters of greenhouse gases, which according to general scientific consensus is directly responsible for some of the global warming that has occurred over the last 100 years.

International agencies are concerned with the impact on the environment due to the burning of fossil fuels, and coal in particular. In addition to being connected with global warming, the burning of coal contributes the most to acid rain and air pollution. Acid rain is a result of the emission of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide in the air, compounds themselves are only mildly acidic, but when they react with the atmosphere, they create acidic compounds such as sulfurous acid, nitric acid, and sulfuric acid. Coal-fired power plants are also major producers of nuclear waste and environmental contamination by nuclear emissions. The naturally occurring radioactive isotopes present in coal in trace quantities add up when burned in large quantities. A 1000 MW coal-fired plant can release up to 5.2 tons of uranium per year and 12.8 tons of thorium. This is 100 times greater than a comparable nuclear power plant with the same electrical output (wikipedia). In addition to the environmental problems caused by coal-fired power plants, they also have major negative health impacts.

Particulate matter from coal-fired power plants have been shown in studies to increase the rate of respiratory and cardiac mortality. The particulates can increase instances of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and other respiratory ailments because they irritate the airways in the lungs. Government regulations currently do not cover ultrafine particles, yet they pose many dangers.

Coal-fired power plants are extremely detrimental to the environment as well as human health, and current government regulations simply do not protect against the hazards presented by them. Citizens Coal Council is currently working with environmental groups across the country to address the problem of coal-fired power plants, bringing national attention to the problems presented by them, and assisting communities in bringing about much needed change so we can all live greener, breathe cleaner air, and provide a better future for generations to come Main Content Coal fired power is created by burning coal in a large furnace to boil water. The stem from the boiling water is used to turn a large turbine at high speeds. The turning turbine is connected to a generator which consists of a large copper wire surrounded by magnets. As the wire passes the magnets they create a strong magnetic field. The wire spinning through the magnetic field creates electricity which is stored and then transferred via electrical wiring. The steam used to turn the turbine is then cooled and redirected back to the furnace where it is boiled again to make steam. Advantages of Coal Power
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The biggest advantage of coal fired power is that it is cheap. This is a great thing as if it is cheap for the companies to produce than electricity bills are cheaper for us to pay, but what are some of the other advantages of coal fired power? Coal is highly combustible meaning that when it burns it releases a lot of energy and creates a lot of heat. This is a big plus as you can use smaller amounts of coal to heat larger amount of water.

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Another advantage to coal fired power is that enormous amounts of electricity can be produced in one place inexpensively. This means that instead of having five power plants you may only need one. Coal is an inexpensive resource because it is easy to find a supply and it not expensive to extract and mine from coal deposits. Coal is easy to access. There is a lot of coal worldwide and estimates suggest that coal supplies will last for at least another 200 years. Coal fired Power is generally considered safer than nuclear power, as a failure at the plant is not likely to cause a catastrophic event like a nuclear meltdown would. Coal is a less dangerous fuel source than uranium and it is simpler to train people to work at the plant.

The Disadvantages of coal power plant

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The disadvantages of coal power are; 1. It is non-renewable and it is fast depleting 2. Although it is now cheap, if the coal continues to be used in such a way, it will soon be very expensive. 3. Burning a fossil fuel produces carbon dioxide, which contributes to the greenhouse effect, warming the Earth. 4. Burning coal produces more carbon dioxide than burning oil or gas. 5. Mining coal can be difficult and dangerous. Strip mining destroys large areas of the landscape. 6. Coal-fired power stations need huge amounts of fuel, which means train-loads of coal almost constantly. In order to cope with changing demands for power, the station needs reserves. This means covering a large area of countryside next to the power station with piles of coal, which destroys plants and ruins landscapes. Although there is a lot of concern about it at the moment, coal will last about another 200 years which is plenty of time to find an alternative.

My stand (Against) Im not in favor in the idea or the concept of the coal fired power plant. Since this may not only affect the present generation, but the next generations to come. Recommendation The establishment of the Conal Plant at Ecozone, has been a very discussing issue for the past few months. With these facts it is very obvious that the most powerful political blocs of this city have solidified to insure that the proposed establishment of a Coal-Fired Power Plant in the west coast will materialize despite white- hot opposition from the enlightened sectors of the community. Public health risks associated with exposure to mercury in food and metals in airborne fine particulate matter are among the most adverse health and environmental impacts associated with emissions of hazardous air pollutants from coal-fired power plants. Coal-Fired Power Plants can be Significant Contributors to Deposition of Mercury on Soil and Water

Mercury that deposits to the earths surface from air can make its way into waterways where it is converted by microorganisms into methyl mercury, a highly toxic mercury, I only hope the above research data on the adverse effects of coal-fired power plants to public

health and the environment will change the hearts and minds of our local legislators and executives. Otherwise, every disease, any adverse effect to public health, and any damage to our biosphere indirectly or directly associated with or attributed to this proposed Coal-Fired Power Plant, will be their collective responsibility and accountability. If our top political officials are determined consummately to put up this coal-fired plant no matter what, the public will be left with no other option but to demand for total local governance change although admittedly it is next to impossible at the moment. Nonetheless, this could be the vulnerable spot for a shrewd contender to completely subdue a power holder and erase from the political landscape his massively fortified lair.

PROJECT IN PHYSICS

Submitted to: Mr. Jaime A. Altubar

Submitted by: Joseph Einstein F. Magno IV-St. Paul