Chapter 5 LO2 Large Scale Generation Of Electricity From Fossil Fuels Flashcards
Which type of fossil fuel does the UK currently rely on very heavily
Natural gas
Which fossil fuel does the UK intend to rule out by 2025
Coal due to its high polluting nature and to aid long term carbon reduction products
State the 4 stages in the production of electricity in a fossil fuel power plant
Combustion of fossil fuel
Evaporation of water
Steam used to turn a turbine
Condensing in the cooling towers
Describe the combustion of a fossil fuel
Combustion of Fossil Fuel - The fossil fuel is combusted in a furnace to release the chemical energy (Sometimes incorrectly termed as heat)
Describe the evaporation of water
Evaporation of water - The thermal energy produced by the combustion of the fossil fuel is then used to increase temperature of the water in the furnace. Water enters this furnace in liquid form. The temperature in the furnace is very high and increases the temperature of the much cooler water as energy is transferred to the water. The temperature of the cooler water increases considerably and evaporates at 100 degrees into steam. The steam is ejected from the furnace and directed into the steam turbine.
Describe how steam is used to turn a turbine
Steam used to turn a turbine - The steam turbine turns when the high pressure steam is forced through it. Steam (Which has extremely high velocity of water molecules)collides with the fins of the steam turbine at its hottest temperature leaves at a lower temperature, still hot. This hot steam is then sent to the cooling towers.
Describe condensing in the cooling towers
Condensing of the cooling towers - The hot steam from the steam turbine enters the cooling towers. Here the steam loses substantial energy so that the steam condenses back into water (Liquid). Then the liquid which is cold is recirculated back into the furnace and the process is repeated.
Describe all 4 stages in the production of electricity in a fossil fuel power plant
Combustion of Fossil Fuel - The fossil fuel is combusted in a furnace to release the chemical energy (Sometimes incorrectly termed as heat)
Evaporation of water - The thermal energy produced by the combustion of the fossil fuel is then used to increase temperature of the water in the furnace. Water enters this furnace in liquid form. The temperature in the furnace is very high and increases the temperature of the much cooler water as energy is transferred to the water. The temperature of the cooler water increases considerably and evaporates at 100 degrees into steam. The steam is ejected from the furnace and directed into the steam turbine.
Steam used to turn a turbine - The steam turbine turns when the high pressure steam is forced through it. Steam (Which has extremely high velocity of water molecules)collides with the fins of the steam turbine at its hottest temperature leaves at a lower temperature, still hot. This hot steam is then sent to the cooling towers.
Condensing of the cooling towers - The hot steam from the steam turbine enters the cooling towers. Here the steam loses substantial energy so that the steam condenses back into water (Liquid). Then the liquid which is cold is recirculated back into the furnace and the process is repeated.
Describe any disadvantages associated with the cooling towers as used in traditional power plants
Efficiency (40%) is poor as the cooling towers take a considerable amount of energy from the steam and eject it into the atmosphere.
