Thermal Power Plants

Choice of Site for Steam Power Stations

1. Supply of fuel
2. Availability of water.
3. Transportation facilities.
4. Cost and type of land.
5. Nearness to load centres.
6. Distance from populated area.

Efficiency of Steam Power Plants

1. Thermal efficiency: the ratio of heat equivalent of mechanical energy
transmitted to the heat of combustion of coal is known as thermal efficiency.
 The thermal efficiency of steam power station is about 30 %.
2. Overall efficiency : the ratio of heat equivalent of electrical output to the heat
of combustion of coal is known as overall efficiency.
 The overall efficiency of steam power station is about 29 %.
Losses occurring in steam power plants may be summarized as follows:

a. Boiler house losses

1. To dry flue gases 5.0 %
2. To moisture in gases 5.0 %
3. To ash and unburnt carbon 1.0 %
4. To radiation and leakage 2.5 %
5. Unknown losses 2.5 %
Total 16 %

b. Turbine losses

1. Heat rejected to condenser 54 %

2. Alternator losses 1.0 %
Total 55 %

 Thus output is about 29 %