Introduction to steam power plant

we have already discussed hydroelectric power plants. in today’s blog, we will discuss Advantages of steam power plant, Disadvantages of steam power plant, What is Steam power plant

What is steam power plant

Thermal energy is an important source of power generation.

More than 50% of electric power in India is produced by the thermal power plant. According to 2016 reports, India holds 107,727 million tons of coal reserves. And ranked 5^th in the world, counting for about 9% of the world’s total coal reserves of 1,129,471 million tons.

It’s another matter of the fact that the coal crisis in India is now at its peak. As I mentioned earlier, 50% of energy is generated by thermal power plants, so India faces an energy crisis.

A steam power plant is a thermal power station where the heat energy of the fuel is converted into electricity. The fuel used can be coal, oil, gas, etc.

In a steam power plant, the boiler utilizes the heat of fossil fuel combustion to raise steam at high pressure and temperature. The generated steam is used to drive a steam turbine and produce electricity.

Steam power plants can be used for multipurpose such as to generate electrical energy only or generate electrical energy along with steam. This is very useful for industries like the textile industry, sugar mills, paper mills, food manufacturing, etc.

Classification of a steam power plant according to use

1. Industrial power plant
2. Central power plant

Industrial power plant

The steam power plant has wide application in the industrial sector, as the basic need is always electricity generation.

Industrial turbo generator plants have turbo generators having a small capacity (up to 10MW).

Industrial turbo generator plants are also known as captive power plants. These plants are becoming more popular nowadays because of the poor reliability of electric supply from the grid, frequently changing tariff rates, long power cuts, etc.

The electricity generated by these plants is only used to supply the power for that industrial sector.

Central power plant

The steam power plant is mainly used to generate electricity for various consumers (industrial, agricultural, domestic, etc.)

The size of a central steam power plant is comparatively larger than industrial plants. It is from 10 -10000MW approximately.

A steam power plant for electricity generation is preferred when the power requirement is high and surrounding conditions, financial, climate, geographical conditions do not permit the installation of a hydroelectric power plant. Or where the availability of coal is plenty.

Advantages of steam power plant

1. Fuel used is cheaper as India is the 5^th country to have an ample amount of coal.
2. Requirement of space for the erection of power plant is the lesser comparatively hydroelectric power plant.
3. Comparing with other plants steam power plant requires less initial cost for the same capacity.
4. Production cost is cheaper as if we compare with the diesel power plant.
5. Steam power plants can be installed anywhere despite the availability of fuel. However, in the case of the hydroelectric power plant, it should be installed near the water source.
6. Such plants can be located near the load center, and the required transmission cost of electricity will be low. Still, in the case of a hydroelectric power plant where water is available, these plants are installed only despite the load center.
7. Can respond to the rapid change in load conditions without any difficulty.
8. The overload capacity of the steam power plant is higher than other plants. Steam turbines and steam engines can work under 255 of overload continuously.
9. Some portion of steam raised can also be used in textile mills, paper mills, refineries, chemical work, etc.

Disadvantages of steam power plant

1. The maintenance and operating cost of the steam power plant is high.
2. Pollution caused due to a steam power plant is high due to fumes and residues from pulverized fuel.
3. The requirement of water to convert the heat into steam is very high.
4. Disposal of ash and handling of coal is difficult.
5. The steam power plant produces a huge amount of heat and smoke, which sometimes causes trouble to the neighboring environment.
6. The plant cost increases with an increase in operating temperature.
7. The time required for the erection is long.
8. Efficiency falls rapidly below 75% of the load.
9. Costly in operating cost in comparison with a hydro and nuclear power plant.