1. Power Plants Types of Power Plants
The engine, motor, and related parts
Supplies the motive power of a self-propelled object
Produces a kinetic energy output from a fuel source input
Electricity generating station
Typically what is referred to by “power plant”
Mechanical, heat, chemical, solar sources

2. Power Plants – Power Stations
Background

3. Power Plants – Power Stations
Background
What electricity is used for:
Heating, cooking, cooling, light, sound, computers, communication, entertainment…
Distribution grid:
Our focus

4. Power Plants – Power Stations
Typical Operation
Fuel is used to produce heat energy
Water is heated and boiled to steam
High pressure steam enters and spins turbines
(Turbines convert steam into mechanical energy)
Turbines turn electrical generator (electricity is created)
Electricity is transmitted via cables through power grid 2 1 5 3 4

5. Power Plants – Power Stations
Alternative Operation
Alternative energy source (e.g. water, wind) spins turbines
Turbines turn electrical generator
Electricity is transmitted via cables through power grid 1 3 2

6. Power Plants – Power Stations
Types of Power Stations – Non-renewable
Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Coal
Prime mover is steam turbine
Flue gas exhausted to atmosphere
Waste heat released to atmosphere – cooling towers
2nd law of thermodynamics – not all heat can be converted into mechanical form to do work, some heat will be wasted
A power plant cannot be 100% efficient

7. Power Plants – Power Stations
Types of Power Stations – Non-renewable
Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Coal (cont.)
Flue 7 5 4 1 3 6 2
Waste Heat

8. Power Plants – Power Stations
Types of Power Stations – Non-renewable
Fossil Fuel Power Plant – Petroleum and Natural Gas
Prime mover is gas turbine

9. Power Plants – Power Stations
Waste heat (options):
Cooling Towers: Released to atmosphere
Combined Cycle: Recycled in secondary boiler

10. Power Plants – Power Stations
PRIMARY LOOP
Nuclear Power Plant
Closed-loop reactor
Control rods inserted to decrease chain reaction (control rods absorb neutrons, which slows reaction)
Heated reactor water boils secondary loop of water in boiler (steam generator)

11. Power Plants – Power Stations
SECONDARY LOOP
Nuclear Power Plant
Steam spins turbine
Electricity generated to grid

12. Power Plants – Power Stations
TERTIARY LOOP
Cooling water from outside source; gets hot as it condenses steam
Released in cooling tower
Nuclear Power Plant

13. Containment Structure
Steam Turbine
Generator
Condenser
Cooling Tower
Containment Structure
Reactor
Boiler
Nuclear Power Plant (continued)

14. Containment Structure
Steam Turbine
Generator
Condenser
Cooling Tower
Containment Structure
Reactor
Boiler
Nuclear Power Plant (continued)