1.

Introduction

2.

Selection Of Site For Steam Power Plants

3.

Fuels

4.

Steam Generating Equipment

5.

Auxiliaries

6.

Ash Handling System

7.

Steam Turbines

8.

Transmission & Distribution System

9.

Bibliography

Generally the method of converting Mechanical energy to Electrical

energy is by means of electrical machines i.e., alternators and
Generators.
> Alternator produces A.C power.
> Generator produces DC power.

Alternator essentially consists of armature winding counted on a

stationary part called stator and a field winding a rotating part called
rotor.
When the rotor rotates with the help of prime mover, the stator
conductors (being stationary) are cut by the magnetic flux, hence EMF
is induced according to faradays laws of electromagnetic induction, in
the stator conductors. Because the magnetic poles are alternately

N and S, they induced an EMF and hence current in the armature

conductors, which first flows in one direction and then in other
direction. Hence, an alternating EMF is produced in a stator conductors,
whose frequency depends on the number of poles moving past a
conductor in one second and the direction of current en by Flemings
Right-hand rule.
The generator is based on the principle of Electro-Magnetic Induction
discovered in 1831 by Michael faraday, a British scientist. Faraday
discovered that if an electric conductor, like a copper wire, is moved
through a magnetic field, electric current will {be induced) in the
conductor. So, the mechanical energy of the moving wire is converted
into the electric energy of the current that flows in the wire.
These machines must be mechanically coupled to the e mover, for
the production of Electrical Power.
The various types of generating stations are: 1. THERMAL POWER STATION: In this Electrical energy is obtained by combustion of
2 .HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER STATION: In this Electrical energy is obtained by utilizing Potential Energy of
water.
3. DIESEL POWER STATION: In this Electrical energy is obtained by combustion of diesel.
4. NUCLEAR POWER STATION: In this Electrical energy is obtained by Nuclear Fusion.
From the above power stations, we are going to study about
THERMAL STATION.
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THERMAL POWER PLANT: A generating station, which converts heat energy of coal Combustion
into Electrical energy is known as a, THERMAL POWER STATION
In a steam power station the fuel, which is coal or lignite or peat,
gives up its heat on combustion to a boiler. The boiler converts the
heat energy of fuel into steam energy and lich delivers steam at a
high pressure and temperature to the 3am turbines. The steam loses
heat energy in driving the turbine, which is coupled directly or through
gearing to an metrical generator. The thermal efficiency is the ratio of
the heat equivalent of the Mechanical energy transmitted to the turbine
aft, to the heat of combustion; It may reach a value of 30% in a very
efficient plant.

1. Large amount of power can be generated.

2. Power stations can be located near the load centre.
3. Low calorific value fuels like, coal lignite, anthracite etc can be
used.
4. Initial cost is less when compared to hydro and nuclear power
station.
5. Requires less transmission and distribution cost.
6. It requires less quantity of water as compared to Hydel stations.
7. Long summer will not affect the power generations like Hydel
Power.
8. The fuel used is quite cheap.
9. It requires less space as compared to hydroelectric plant.
10. The cost of generation is less when compared to diesel power
station.

The overall efficiency of a steam power station is quite (about 29 %)

due to mainly two reasons. Firstly, a huge amount; at is lost in the
condenser and secondly, heat losses occurs at various stages of the
plant. The heat lost in the condenser cannot be avoided, it is because
heat energy cannot be converted into Mechanical energy with out
temperature difference. The greater the temperature difference, the
greater is the heat energy converted into Mechanical energy. This
necessitates to keep the steam in the condenser at the lowest temperature.
But we know that greater the temperature difference, greater is the
amount of heat lost, this explains for the low efficiency of such plants.

The factors to be considered while selecting a site

for steam

power plant for economical and efficient generations are:The power should be as near
as possible to the centre of the load so that the transmission cost and
losses are minimum. This factor is most important when DC supply
systems are adopted. However, in case of AC supply system when
transformation of energy from lower voltage to higher voltage and
vice-versa is possible, power plant can be erected at places other that
of centre of load provided, if other conditions are favourable.
Since most of the modern generating stations employ pulverized fuel
residues and fumes from them are quite unhealthy, therefore the site
for the power station should be away from the Populated area.

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-Large quantity of water is required in a steam

power plant. It is required (i) To raise the steam in boilers, (ii) For
cooling purposes such as condensers, (iii) As a carrying medium such
as in disposal of ash and (iv) for drinking purposes.
In steam power plant approximately 1.236 X 106k.cals eat per MW
for hour has to be disposed off in the condenser. In case of direct
circulation from the source of water 120m3 of water is required for
MW per hour for this purpose. In case cooling towers used about 2.4
m3 of water for MW per hour will be required in addition as make
up water. With pond cooling slightly large quantity rater is required
to meet evaporation and drift losses etc. But cooing effect is better. The
efficiency of direct cooled plant is about higher than that of the plant
cooled by cooling towers. This means a saving of about Rs 7.5lacs per
year in fuel cost for a 2,000 MW station. Hence, it is clear that the
plant should be located near a river, sea or a lake.
A power station should be located near a river or lake or so as
to minimize the cost of construction of hydraulic engineering objects
and shorten the length of service water supply s. the best site is that
where the once through water supply -system can be employed
availability of a large water source of a slightly rise of land level
above the water sources are often the decisive factor for selecting site
for a power station.
Huge amounts of coal is required for
raising the steam (20,000 tones per day for a 2,000 MW station).
Since the government policy is to use only low grade coal with 30
to 40% ash content for power generation purposes, the steam power
plant can be located near the coal mines to avoid the transport of
coal and ash.
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The land is required not only for setting

of the plant but or other purposes also such as coal storage, ash
disposal etc. For a 2,000 MW plant, the land required may be of the
order of 300 acres. As the cost of the land adds up to the final cost
of the plant, it should be available at a responsible price. Land should
be also available for future extension.
The land relief of the supposed site for a power station should be
smooth or flat. Area with flat terrain relief and a slope not e than 0.51.0% are considered the best choice for setting a power station. Rough
terrain would require much earth moving work grading.
Land should be of good bearing capacity. Since,
it is to withstand not only the dead load of the plant but also the
forces transmitted to the foundations due to the operation of the plant
and this total load may amount to about 7 kg per sq.cm. Moreover
the land should be reasonable level and not low lying.
The facilities must be available for
transportation of heavy equipment and fuels e.g., near railway station.
Skilled and unskilled labourers should be
available at reasonable rates near the site of the plant.
Ash is the main waste product of the steam
power plant and with low-grade coal it may be 3.5 tones per a day
for a 2000 MW station, hence some suitable means for disposal of
ash should be thought of. It may be purchased by building contractors,
or it can be used for brick making near the plant site. If the site is
near the coal mine, it can be dumped into the disused mines. In case
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of site located near a river, sea or lake, ash can be dumped into it.
If the waste land is available near the site, then the area of 40
hectares excavated to a depth of 6.5 meters desirable will be required
per year for a 2,000 MW plant.
:-This factor is considered from the standpoint

of expenditures on construction of transport means and delivery of

fuel. For high capacity thermal power plants to be fired on low-grade
fuels, a close proximity of fuel fields is decisive with high grade fuels,
their transportation to larger distances may turn out to be profitable,
i.e., the site for a power station can be solved by comparing the cost
of fuel delivery summers.
: A suitable soil for construction of a power

station should have a bearing resistance for not less than 20- 25 N/
cm2. The properties of soil determine the cost of construction of under
ground structures and their stability and durability. With soft Soils,
aritificial foundations (pile foundations or concrete foundation plates)
should be built for erecting the buildings of a power station.
In permafrost regions, the site for a power station is to be found
on a rock foundation or an elevated area with non-Subsident coarse
lumpy or sandy soil.

In seismic regions, the site should be located

on non-weathered ground or dense low-moisture large-lump soil.

: A site for power station construction

should be dry where possible, i.e., not subject to flooding by ground

or flood waters. Dry areas are those where the ground level is not
less than 5m below the surface. With a smaller depth, the cost of
construction of a power station increases by the cost of ground water
lowering facilities and water proofing of basements. Their basements
should always be above the ground water level.
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: These

factors are considered from the standpoint of construction approach

ways to be construction site and engaging workers for the initial
period of construction. Under other comparable conditions, a site
located closer to an existing trunk railway line or a large city will be
preferable.
All the factors given above but first one make us to le site for the
thermal power station away from the towns, Now-a-days more
importance is given to the facilities for generation than those of
distribution and site for steam power station near by de, where ample
water is available, no pollution of ere occurs and fuel can be
transported easily, is an ideal

a. The main building and adjacent buildings and yards for

arranging ash collectors, exhaust fans, etc.,
b. Stacks and ventilation pipes.
c. Fuel-handling facilities (unloading installations, conveyer alleries,
crusher-room, fuel store, fuel oil pumping station, gas-metering
house etc.,).
d. Indoor (or) outdoor switch gear.
e. Main instrument and control board.
f.

Service water supply facilities.

g. Chemical water treatment.

h. Repair and workshop building.
i.

Ash sump and pulp conduits.

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