Language
Country/Area
No result found
The amazing journey from steam to electricity: Do you know the secret of thermal power generation?
Thermal power plant, also known as thermal power plant, is a power plant that uses thermal energy generated by various fuel sources (such as coal, natural gas, nuclear fuel, etc.) to convert into electrical energy. How does this process work? Let’s explore the mysteries of thermal power generation together.
The core of thermal power generation lies in the conversion of heat: the thermal energy from the heat source passes through a complex thermodynamic cycle and ultimately drives the generator to generate electricity.
Basic principles of thermal power generation
In a thermal power station, thermal energy from the fuel is converted into mechanical energy and converted using thermodynamic cycles (such as Diesel cycle, Rankine cycle, Brayton cycle, etc.). The most common cycle utilizes a working fluid (usually water) that is heated and evaporated at high pressure to produce high-pressure steam. This steam is directed to a turbine, which spins blades to create rotation, and is connected to a generator that converts the rotational motion into electricity.
Some fuels such as natural gas or oil can be burned directly in a gas turbine, omitting the steam generation step. These plants can be classified as open cycle or the more efficient combined cycle types. Currently, most thermal power plants use steam turbines or gas turbines, or a combination of both, to generate electricity.
According to statistics, thermal power stations account for 70% of global electricity supply, providing a stable base period power supply for economic growth.
High efficiency of thermal power generation
The efficiency of thermal power generation is an important indicator to evaluate its performance, usually the ratio of marketable electrical energy to the calorific value of the fuel. Different thermodynamic cycles vary in efficiency, with the Rankine cycle generally being more efficient than the Otto or Diesel cycles. For example, exhaust gases from a low-pressure turbine enter a steam condenser, and the hot water produced after cooling is recirculated into the heating process to produce more high-pressure steam.
Various thermal power generation technologies
The design of a thermal power station depends on the energy source. In addition to traditional fossil and nuclear fuels, there are also power plants that use geothermal energy, solar energy, biofuels and waste incineration. With the development of technology, there are now supercritical and ultra-supercritical thermal power plants, which can operate at higher temperatures and pressures, thereby improving efficiency and reducing emissions.
47% of modern coal-fired power plants achieve extremely high thermal energy conversion efficiencies, and combined cycle systems can achieve even higher values.
Historical evolution of thermal power generation
Reciprocating steam engines have been used to generate mechanical power since the 18th century, and were improved upon by James Watt. In 1882, the Pearl Street Station in New York and the Holborn Elevated Electric Station in London marked the beginning of commercial electric power stations. The development of steam turbines in 1884 provided more efficient and larger machine designs for centralized power stations, thus promoting the advancement of power generation technology.
Future Outlook: Technical Challenges of Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection
However, the operation of thermal power generation also comes with environmental challenges. The problem of greenhouse gases and air pollutants released by burning fossil fuels cannot be ignored. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology has the potential to reduce these emissions, but its high cost and rarity of implementation remain challenges. Governments are strengthening regulations and international agreements to promote cleaner ways of generating energy.
By improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions, can thermal power generation become the backbone of sustainable electricity in the future, or will it face the risk of collapse?
Among these developments, thermal power generation not only provides stable power support for society, but also promotes employment at the economic level. However, can we continue to strive to achieve sustainable development while maintaining energy supply?
