Power Plant Engineering

1.1
1.2

1.3

1.4

Introduction: Power plant engineering deals with the

study of energy,
its sources and
utilization of energy for power generation. The power is generated by prime movers (example Hydraulic turbines, steam turbines,
diesel engines).
Energy: Energy may be defined as the capacity to do work. Energy exists in various forms, such as Mechanical Energy, thermal
energy, electrical energy, solar energy etc. Electricity is the only form of energy, which is easy to produce, easy to transport, easy to
use and easy to control. Electricity consumption per capita is the index of the living standard people of a place or country i.e. the
utilization of energy is an indication of the growth of the nation.
Power: Power is the rate at which work is done, or energy is transmitted. Different forms of power could be electric power, which is
the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by a circuit, human power, and optical power. Power cannot be converted or
transformed.
Power Plant: Power plant is a unit built for production and delivery of a flow of mechanical or electrical energy. Hence an internal
combustion engine is a power plant; a water wheel is a power plant, etc. However, what we generally mean by the term power plant is
that assemblage of equipment, permanently located on some chosen site which receives raw energy in the form of a substance capable
of being operated on in such a way as to produce electrical energy for deliver from the power plant.

2. Source of Energy: Energy resources can be broadly classified as follows

Energy

Conventional sources of energy

Resources

Non-conventional sources of energy

(Or)
Non renewable sources of energy

or
Renewable source of energy

Examples: -

Examples:-

Fuels like coal, oil,

Sun,

wind,

waves,

tides,

From

earth

core,

hydro

energy
Natural gas, nuclear fuels etc.
Electric

Power etc.
Non renewable sources:
Most of the energy we use are from source like coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear fuels. These primary energy sources are called
Non renewable sources because once they have been used up, they cannot be replaced.

Renewable sources:
Sources of energy that can be used over and over again are called renewable sources. These sources can be used to produce electricity.
Some of the renewable sources are:

Energy from the sun (Heat and light energy)

Energy from the wind (Kinetic energy)

Energy from the waves and tides (Kinetic energy)

Energy from earths core (Geothermal energy)

There are 10 main different sources of energy that are used in the world to generate power

1. Solar Energy
Solar powers harvests the energy of the sun through using collector panels and generate power. Large solar panel fields are often used in
desert to gather enough power to charge small substations, The issue with solar is that while there is large amount of sun energy is
available but only certain geographical ranges of the world get enough of the direct power of the sun for long enough to generate usable
power from this source.

2. Wind Energy
Wind power is becoming more and more common. With the help of the wind power we drive the large turbine by the wind power then turn
a generator to produce electricity. While this seemed like an ideal solution to many, the reality of the wind farms is starting to reveal an
unforeseen ecological impact that may not make it an ideal choice.
3. Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is the energy that is produced inside the earth. It is clean, sustainable and environment friendly. High temperatures are
produced continuously inside the earths crust by the slow delay of radioactive particles. Hot rocks present below the earth heats up the
water that produces steam. The steam is then captured that helps to move turbines. The rotating turbines then power the generators.
Geothermal energy can be used by a residential unit or on a large scale by a industrial application. It was used during ancient
times for bathing and space heating. The biggest disadvantage with geothermal energy is that it can only be produced at selected sites
throughout the world. The largest group of geothermal power plants in the world is located at The Geysers, a geothermal field in California,
United States.
4. Hydrogen Energy
Hydrogen is available with water (H2O) and is most common element available on earth. Water contains two-thirds of hydrogen and can be
found in combination with other elements. Once it is separated, it can be used as a fuel for generating electricity. Hydrogen is a tremendous
source of energy and can be used as a source of fuel to power ships, vehicles, homes, industries and rockets. It is completely renewable, can
be produced on demand and does not leave any toxic emissions in the atmosphere.
5. Tidal Energy
Tidal energy uses rise and fall of tides to convert kinetic energy of incoming and outgoing tides into electrical energy. The generation of
energy through tidal power is mostly in coastal areas. Huge investment and limited availability of sites are few of the drawbacks of tidal
energy. When there is increased height of water levels in the ocean, tides are produced which rush back and forth in the ocean. Tidal energy
is one of the renewable source of energy and produce large energy even when the tides are at low speed.
6. Wave Energy
Wave energy is produced from the waves in the oceans. Wave energy is renewable, environment friendly and causes no harm to
atmosphere. It can be used along coastal regions of many countries and can help a country to reduce its dependance on fuel. Producing
wave energy can disturbance the marine ecosystem and private and commercial vessels. It is highly dependent on wavelength and can also
be a source of visual and noise pollution.
7. Hydroelectric Energy
The power of the water is used to turn generators to produce the electricity . The problems faced with hydropower right now have to do
with the aging of the dams. Many of them need major restoration work to remain functional and safe, and that costs enormous sums of
money.
8. Biomass Energy
Biomass energy is produced from organic material and is commonly used throughout the world. Chlorophyll present in plants captures the
suns energy by converting carbon dioxide from the air and water from the ground into carbohydrates through the process of
photosynthesis. When the plants are burned, the water and carbon dioxide is again released back into the atmosphere. Biomass generally
include crops, plants, trees, yard clippings, wood chips and animal wastes. Biomass energy is used for heating and cooking in homes and as
a fuel in industrial production. This type of energy produces large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is the major renewable sources of energy available to the world. The energy is created through a specific nuclear reaction,
which is then collected and used to power generators. While almost every country has nuclear generators, there are prohibition on their use
as scientists try to resolve safety and disposal issues for waste.

10. Fossil Fuels (Coal, Oil and Natural Gas)

Natural gas, coal and oil are all considered to be source of energy from fossil fuels. These fuels provide the power for most of the world,
primarily using coal and oil. Natural gas is starting to become more common, mostly used in heating applications and gas powered
vehicles. To get to the fossil fuel and convert it to use require the heavy destruction and pollution of the environment. The fossil fuel
reserves are also limited.

2.1 Classification of power plants:

Depending on the type of energy source the power plants are classified as
Thermal power plant (It makes use of coal)
Internal combustion engine plants (makes use of petrol or diesel)
Gas turbine power plant (makes use of a permanent gas)
Nuclear power plant (makes use of nuclear fuels)
Solar power plant (makes use of the suns radiation heat)
Tidal power plant (makes use of the power of tides in the sea)
Hydro electric power plant (makes use of the potential energy of water)
Wind power (makes use of energy available in wind)
Geothermal power plant (makes use of heat energy available under the ground)
2.2 Selection of criteria of Plant

A plant should be located at a place where inhabitants are interested in its success, the product can be sold profitably and production
cost is minimum. The principle factors to be considered for the selection of a plant
Area
Availability of Raw materials
Nearness to Potential market
Supply of LabourTransportation facilities
Availability of Utilities : Water, Fuel, PowerSuitability of Climate &
Land Local Community Considerations
Political Strategic Considerations
Environmental Impact,
And Effluent Disposal.
Geology and soil type
Earth quake
River and flood