The overall efficiency of steam power station is much lower and that is about 29%,it is mainly due to two reasons.Firstly a large amount of heat is wasted in condensers and secondly the heat wastage in other parts of the plant.The heat loss in the condenser is unavoidable since heat energy cannot be converted into mechanical energy without temperature difference.The greater the temperature difference greater is the heat energy converted into mechanical energy.This necessitates to keep the temperature of condenser to a minimum value.But greater the temperature difference,greater the amount of heat lost.This explains the low efficiency of steam plants. 1) Thermal Efficiency The ratio of heat equivalent of mechanical energy transmitted to the turbine shaft to the heat of combustion of coal read more

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To get an overall economy we should take care of the following factors while choosing a site for steam power station 1)Supply of Fuel The plant should be located in a place near coal mines hence the transportation cost could be reduced.If it is not able to construct a plant near the coal mines or the fuel source at least it must be considered that there are proper facilities available for the transportation of fuel ie coal to the generating station. 2) Availability of Water A large amount of water is required for the condenser for proper cooling process so there should be natural resource nearby the plant to get continuous supply of water,It could be a river,stream or lake any water source near by. 3)Transportation Facilities A modern steam power station requires the transport of coal read more

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Though the main process in steam power station is the conversion of heat energy into electrical energy,it comprises of many steps for its proper working and good efficiency.The whole arrangement of a steam power station could be divided into following steps.The whole arrangement is shown in a schematic figure given below. Coal and ash handling arrangement Steam generating plant Steam turbine Alternator Feed water Cooling arrangement 1. Coal and ash handling plant The coal is transported from different places to the station by means of rails or road and is stored in a coal storage plant.It is to use as a preserve at the time of scarcity.From coal storage plant it is transferred to coal handling plant for pulverisation.Pulverisation is the process by which large lumps of coal are broke read more

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The generating station which converts the heat energy produced by the combustion of coal into electrical energy is called Steam Power Station or Thermal Station. A steam power station mainly works on Rankine cycle.In steam power station steam is produced by the combustion of coal and hence producing steam from water in the boiler.The steam is then made to expand in the prime mover and then it is condensed using a condenser to feed back it to the boiler again.The steam turbines rotates due to the impact of the steam on its blades and this sets the coupled alternator in motion which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.This type of stations are constructed where surplus amount of coal and water is available and the power requirement is very large. Advantages of Steam Power read more

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