Steam Power Generation

Introductions This slide show is about how steam is used to drive a turbine to rotate and thus generate electricity. We are going to cover three methods of how the water is boiled so steam produced to drive the turbine: By burning fossil fuels Via nuclear fusion Using geothermal energy

Fossil Fuel Burning With this method the fuel that is burned (either Coal, Oil or Gas), the boiler produces steam, which is at high pressure, causes the turbine to rotate. The drawbacks with this method is that it produces high amounts of pollutants, being mainly greenhouse gases and consumes a lot of the depleting amounts of the global fossil fuels reserves. This method is being superceded with greener technologies. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5cpJwiF0u4

Fossil Fuel Burning Power Station

Nuclear Fusion This method of steam production is achieved within a nuclear power station and used the method of using the heat generated via nuclear reactions to boil the water in the process to produce steam, that in turn drives the turbines that produce electricity. This method has become a reliable substitute for fossil fuel burning but still has drawbacks within safety and environmental concerns. The method of nuclear fusion still uses elements mined from the ground and thus also depletes natural finite mineral reserves. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UwexvaCMWA

Geothermal Energy This method uses the heat from within the depths of the planet earths’ crust. The water is effectively injected downward to the warmer parts of the ground ranging between 100m to up to 10 000m. Once the water reaches he hotter depths, it is then projected back up the surface as steam, which will drive the turbine to produce electricity. The advantages of this include is tremendous efficiency and it is renewable. Disadvantage include electricity is still required to move the water and the depth that may be involved in water movement. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H1E-lXQpAs

Geothermal Energy

Steam Power Generation Components Boiler This is used to heat water until it is in a gas like state, which is known to be steam. This is then utilised for the next stage in the power generation process . Turbine Being the next stage, which receives the freshly generated steam and uses the force of this to rotate and provides motion to the next mechanical part of the process. Generator a rotating machine that converts mechanical power into electrical power. The relative motion between a magnetic field and a conductor creates an electrical current.

Steam Power Generation Components Transformer This is an electrical piece of equipment that has 2 interfacing circuits, that effectively reduce the voltage ratio amount so the electricity in made usable for use within households. Condenser Is used after the steam has been utilised within the power generation cycle, to convert the exhaust steam back into liquid form so less volume is taken up in the exhaust process parts.

Safety Considerations To ensure that any part worked to be worked on is mechanically and electrically isolated. Be aware that parts of this use heat and thus could pose a serious danger to any personnel Being made up some large machinery, care would need to be taken when near moving parts of the process High voltage with generated electricity, especially around the generator, transformer and switching stations. Extreme heat and pressures are present, especially within the boiler, turbine and exhaust gas pipe system.

Maintenance Checks And water / steam handling pipework for visual physical integrity and no leaks. The generator for visual physical integrity and correct electrical functionality. The turbine for smooth rotation and possible lubrication. Boiler for visual physical integrity, pressure checks and exhaust emissions level. If presence of any pumps-correct pumping action & no leaks. A transformer for visual physical integrity of parts.