by Thermal power plants are one of the most common methods for power generation worldwide. In a thermal power plant, heat energy is converted into electric energy. Thermal power plants work on the principle of Rankine Cycle. First, fuel such as coal, natural gas, diesel is burnt in a furnace to generate heat. This heat is used to convert water into steam inside a boiler. High-pressure steam from the boiler rotates a turbine which is connected to an electrical generator. The generator converts the mechanical energy from the turbine into electrical energy which is then supplied to our homes.
Components of a Thermal Power Plant
The key components of a thermal power plant include:
– Boiler: The boiler is where water is heated to Thermal Power Plant temperatures and converted into superheated steam under high pressure. Modern boilers can operate at pressures as high as 310 bar and temperatures of 565°C.
– Turbine: Steam from the boiler enters the turbine at high pressure. As it passes through the turbine, its pressure energy gets converted to kinetic energy, which rotates the turbine shaft connected to the generator.
– Condenser: The steam coming out of the turbine is at very low pressure now. It enters the condenser where it is condensed back into water with the help of cooling water/air from a cooling tower.
– Coal Handling Plant: It delivers the coal to the boiler and prepares it for combustion. It includes conveyors, crushers, screens etc.
– Ash Handling Plant: It collects ash and removes it from the plant area to ash ponds. The bottom ash collects in the furnace while the fly ash is collected from flue gases.
– Electrical Generator: It is a large rotating machine consisting of coils of copper wire spinning inside a powerfully strong electro-magnet. The rotation of the turbine shaft spins the coils inside the electro-magnet, which generates electricity.
Fuels Used in Thermal Power Plants
The most common fuels used in thermal power plants around the world include:
– Coal: It is the most widely used fuel globally. India has one of the largest reserves of coal. Around 70% of India’s power generation is coal-based.
– Natural Gas: A cleaner alternative to coal. Combined cycle gas turbines can produce power with higher efficiency than coal plants. However, gas reserves are limited in many countries.
– Oil: Used extensively in the past but now replaced by coal and gas due to high fuel costs. Residual oil is sometimes used for backup during peak demand periods.
– Biomass: Agricultural and forest residues burnt to produce steam. Combined with coal firing it can reduce emissions. Commercial scale biomass plants are yet to take off in many regions.
Advantages and Challenges of Thermal Power
Advantages of Thermal Power Plant include low installation cost, tried and tested technology, high plant load factor. However, they also have some disadvantages:
– Pollution: Burning of fossil fuels releases pollutants like SOx, NOx, particulate matter leading to air, water and land pollution. Strict emission norms are needed.
– High fuel costs: Global coal and gas prices fluctuate frequently. Transportation of fuels over long distances adds to costs.
– Large land and water requirements: Thermal plants require vast tracts of land for mining, operations and ash disposal. Cooling water needs are also massive.
– Greenhouse gas emissions: CO2 released from burning fossil fuels is a major contributor to global warming and climate change. Carbon capture is expensive.
– Intermittency issues: Variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind need backup from thermal or hydro power stations during off-periods.
Innovations in Thermal Power Technology
To address the environmental concerns, improvements are being made:
– Supercritical and ultra-supercritical technology: Thermal efficiencies up to 45% by operating boilers at higher pressures/temperatures than subcritical plants.
– Flue gas desulfurization: Limestone injection removes over 90% of SOx from flue gases before releasing into atmosphere.
– Denitrification: Injection of ammonia or urea breaks down NOx into molecular nitrogen and water vapor.
– Particulate controls: Electrostatic precipitators and bag filters capture over 99% of particulate matter from flue gases.
– Carbon capture, utilization and storage: Technologies to separate, compress and inject captured CO2 underground or use it productively help reduce emissions.
Thermal power is likely to remain the backbone of electricity generation especially in developing countries due to its low-cost advantage. However, rapid innovation and policy measures are needed for transition to cleaner power sources. Stringent emission standards, energy efficiency programmes and renewables integration can help minimize environmental impacts of thermal power.
*Note:
1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public Source, Desk Research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
About Author - Ravina Pandya
Ravina Pandya,a content writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemicals and materials, etc. With an MBA in E-commerce, she has expertise in SEO-optimized content that resonates with industry professionals. LinkedIn Profile
