Power Plants

Working of Steam,
Diesel,
Hydroelectric and
Nuclear Power
plants.
Power plants
A power plant is an industrial facility that generates
electricity.

There are many different types of power plants, but

they all work on the same basic principle: converting
one form of energy into electrical energy.

The most common type of power plant uses fossil fuels

such as coal, natural gas, or oil to heat water and
produce steam. The steam drives a turbine, which
• Other types of power plants use renewable energy
sources such as hydroelectricity, wind power, solar
power, or geothermal energy to generate electricity.
• Hydroelectric power plants use the energy of
falling water to turn turbines.
• Wind power plants use the energy of the wind to
turn turbines.
• Solar power plants use the energy of sunlight to
generate electricity directly from photovoltaic cells.
• Geothermal power plants use the heat from the
Earth’s core to generate steam, which then drives
turbines.
Different types of power plants
1. Coal-fired power plants: Coal-fired power plants
are the most common type of power plant in the world.
They use coal to heat water and produce steam. The
steam drives a turbine, which turns a generator to
produce electricity.
2. Natural gas-fired power plants: Natural gas-fired
power plants are similar to coal-fired power plants, but
they use natural gas instead of coal. Natural gas is a
cleaner-burning fuel than coal, so natural gas-fired
power plants produce less pollution.
3. Nuclear power plants: Nuclear power plants use
nuclear fission to generate heat. The heat is used to
produce steam, which drives a turbine, which turns a
generator to produce electricity. Nuclear power plants
do not produce air pollution, but they do produce
radioactive waste.
4. Hydroelectric power plants: Hydroelectric power
plants use the energy of falling water to turn turbines.
Turbines turn generators to produce electricity.
Hydroelectric power plants are a clean and renewable
source of energy.
5. Wind power plants: Wind power plants use the
energy of the wind to turn turbines. Turbines turn
generators to produce electricity. Wind power plants
are a clean and renewable source of energy.
6. Solar power plants: Solar power plants use the
energy of sunlight to generate electricity directly from
photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cells convert sunlight
into electricity. Solar power plants are a clean and
renewable source of energy.
7. Diesel power plants: Diesel power plants use
Diesel as fuel to run an Internal Combustion engine.
The engine is connected to a generator which produces
electricity.
Working Principle of Steam Power Plant

A steam plant is a type of power plant that uses

heat energy to generate steam, which is then used to
turn a turbine to produce electricity. Steam plants are
the most common type of power plant in the world,
and they account for about 60% of global electricity
generation.

The working principle of a steam plant is based

on the Rankine cycle, which is a thermodynamic cycle
that converts heat energy into mechanical energy and
1. Boiler: The boiler heats water to generate steam
at high pressure and temperature. This is typically
achieved by burning fossil fuels (such as coal, oil, or
natural gas) or by using nuclear energy.

2. Turbine: The high-pressure steam from the boiler

is directed into a turbine, which is a rotating machine
with blades. The steam expands through the turbine,
causing the blades to rotate. This mechanical energy
is then used to turn a generator.
3. Generator: The generator is a machine that
converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
The rotating blades from the turbine are connected to
a shaft, which is also connected to the generator. As
the shaft rotates, the generator
produces electricity.
4. Condenser: The steam that exits the turbine is
still at a high temperature, but it has lost most of its
pressure. The condenser is a device that condenses
the steam back into water.
5. Pump: This water is then pumped back to the
boiler to be heated again.
Working principle of a steam plant
1. Fuel is burned in the boiler to heat water.
2. The heated water turns into steam at high
pressure and temperature.
3. The steam is directed into the turbine, which spins
the generator.
4. The generator converts the mechanical energy of
the turbine into electrical energy.
5. The steam exits the turbine and is condensed back
into water in the condenser.
6. The water is pumped back to the boiler to be
heated again.
Diesel Power Plant Basics

A diesel power plant is a type of thermal

power generation facility that utilizes diesel

engines to produce electricity. It is designed to

convert the chemical energy stored in diesel fuel into

electrical energy.
The key components of a diesel power plant
include:

Diesel Engine: The prime mover that converts

chemical energy into mechanical energy.

Generator: Responsible for converting mechanical

energy into electrical energy through
electromagnetic induction.

Lubrication System: Ensures smooth operation

and minimizes mechanical losses by circulating
Control Panel: Houses electrical and electronic
components responsible for monitoring and
controlling the operation of the power plant.

Auxiliary Systems: May include fuel storage and

distribution, exhaust gas treatment (for emissions
control), and fire suppression systems for safety.
Advantages of diesel power plants
1. High efficiency: Diesel engines are very efficient
at converting chemical energy into mechanical
energy. This means that diesel power plants can
generate a lot of electricity from a relatively small
amount of fuel.
2. Reliability: Diesel engines are very reliable and
can operate for long periods of time without
maintenance. This makes them ideal for use in
remote areas or for backup power applications.
3. Flexibility: Diesel power plants can be started and
stopped quickly, which makes them ideal for use in
Applications of Diesel Engines in Power Field
The diesel electric power plants are briefly used in the
following field.
(a) Peak load plant:
Diesel plants can be used in combination with
thermal or hydro-plants as peak load units. They can
be easily started or stopped at a short notice to meet
the peak demand.
(b) Mobile plant:
Diesel plants mounted on trailers can be used
for temporary or emergency purposes such as for
(c) Standby unit:
If the main unit fails or cannot cope up with the
demand, a diesel plant can supply the necessary
power. For example, if water available in a hydro-plant
is not adequately available due to less rainfall, the
diesel station can operate in parallel to generate the
short fall in power.

(d) Emergency plant:

During power interruption in a vital unit like a
key industrial plant or a hospital, a diesel electric
(e) Nursery station:
In the absence of main grid, a diesel plant can
be installed to supply power in a small town. In course
of time, when electricity from the main grid becomes
available in the town, the diesel unit can be shifted to
some other area which needs power on a small scale.
(f) Starting stations:
Diesel units can be used to run the auxiliaries
(like FD and ID fans, BFP, etc.) for starting a large
steam power plant.
(g) Central stations :
Diesel electric plants can be used as central
Advantages

• Fast start-up time (typically 2 minutes)

• High reliability and robustness

• Ability to operate in challenging environmental

conditions

• Flexibility in fuel selection (e.g., HFO, LFO, Crude

oil, Emulsified oil)

Disadvantages of diesel power plants:
1. Air pollution: Diesel engines emit air pollutants
such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
These pollutants can have a negative impact on
human health and the environment.
2. Noise pollution: Diesel engines can be very
noisy, especially when they are running at full load.
3. Fuel cost: Diesel fuel is a relatively expensive
fuel. This means that the cost of generating
electricity from a diesel power plant can be high,
especially if the price of diesel fuel is high.
Applications

Diesel power plants serve as:

• Standby or backup power sources

• Mobile electricity sources

• Peak load plants

• Emergency plants

• Starting plants for larger systems

Advantages of diesel power plant
1. It is easy to design and install these electric
stations.
2. They are easily avail able in standard capacities .
3. They can respond to lo ad change s without much
difficulty.
4. There are less standby losses.
5. They occupy less space .
6. They can be started and stopped quickly.
7. They require less cooling water .
8. Capital cost is less.
9. Less operating and supervising g staff f required.
10. High efficiency of energy conversion from fuel to
electricity.
11. Efficiency at part loads is also higher .
12. Less of civil engineering work is required.
13. They can be located near the load cent re.
14. There is no ash handling problem.
15. Easier lubrication system.
Disadvantages of diesel power plants .
1. High operating cost.
2. High maintenance and lubrication cost .
3. Capacity is restricted. Cannot be of very big size.
4. Noise problem.
5. Cannot supply overload .
6. Unhygienic emissions.
7. The life of the diesel power plant is less (7 to 10
years) as compared to that of a steam power plant
which has a life span of 25 to 45 years. The
efficiency of the diesel plant decreases to less than
Hydro power plants
Hydropower is a renewable energy source that uses
the kinetic energy of flowing water to generate
electricity.
Hydropower plants are made up of two main
components: a
dam and a powerhouse.
The dam creates a reservoir, which stores water and
creates a
height difference between the upstream and
downstream sides of the dam. This height difference is
called the head.
 The water in the reservoir flows through a
penstock, which is a large pipe that leads to the
powerhouse. The penstock carries the water under
high pressure, which causes it to spin the blades of a
turbine.

The turbine is connected to a generator, which

converts the mechanical energy of the turbine into
electrical energy.

The amount of electricity a hydroelectric power

plant can generate depends on the water flow and the
Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy
1. Renewable
2. Emission Free
3. Reliable
4. Adjustable
5. Create Lakes

Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy

6. Impact on Fish
7. Limited Plant Locations
8. Higher initial Costs
9. Carbon and Methane Emissions
10.Susceptible to Droughts
11.Flood Risk
Nuclear power plants
Nuclear power plants generate electricity by
using nuclear fission to produce heat.

Nuclear fission is the process of splitting atoms

of a heavy element, such as uranium, into two smaller
atoms.
This process releases a large amount of energy,
which heats water in the reactor core. The hot water is
then used to generate steam, which drives a turbine to
produce electricity.
1. Nuclear reactor:
It consists of the following components.

(a) Core: This contains the nuclear fuel and space for
coolant. The fuels used are U233, U235, Pu239
To have uniform release of heat, the fuel is shaped and
located in the core.

(b) Moderator: The moderator is used to reduce the

speed of the fast moving neutrons. For natural
uranium, the following are used as moderators-
graphite, heavy water or beryllium. For enriched
The main difference between natural uranium and
enriched uranium is the concentration of the isotope
uranium-235 (U-235):
•Natural uranium: Contains 99.27% uranium-238 (U-
238) and 0.711% uranium-235 (U-235).

•Enriched uranium: Contains a higher concentration

of U-235 than natural uranium. Low enriched uranium
(LEU) contains 2–5% U-235, while highly enriched
uranium (HEU) contains more than 20% U-235.
(c) Control rods: The control rods are used to start
the chain reaction, maintain the chain reaction at
required level and to shut down during emergency.
The control rods are made of cadmium, boron and
hafnium.

(d) Coolant: Coolant is used to transfer the heat which

is produced in the reactor to steam generator for rising
the steam. The generally used coolants are ordinary &
heavy water, air, carbon dioxide, helium and hydrogen
and liquid metals like sodium and potassium.
(e) Reflector: Reflector is used to reflect the escaping
neutrons back into the core. This improves the neutron
economy of the reactor. The generally used reflectors
are heavy water, graphite and beryllium.
(f) Radiation shield: Radiation shield is a concrete
shield to absorb dangerous radiations like alpha, beta,
gamma rays tend to escape to the atmosphere.
(g) Reactor vessel: This is a housing for all the
equipment’s and it is designed in such a way that it can
withstand high pressures safely. The reactor is
positioned at the bottom of the vessel.
2. Steam generator:
In this, the steam is generated from the feed
water by absorbing heat from the hot coolant from the
reactor.

3. Turbine:
The generated steam is made to expand in the
turbine to produce work. This work is converted into
electricity by generator which is coupled with
turbines.
4. Coolant pump & Feed pump:
The coolant pump is used to maintain the flow of
coolant and the feed pump is to pump the feed water
to the steam generator.

5. Generator:
The generator is used to convert the mechanical
energy into electrical energy. The generator is directly
coupled to the turbine.
Nuclear power plants have several advantages,
including:
• Clean energy
• Reliable
• Low carbon footprint
• Cost-effective
• Long-term solution
• Efficient (A single uranium fuel pellet can
produce as much energy as 800kg of coal.)
• Job creation
Nuclear power plants have several disadvantages,
including:
• Nuclear waste
• High Initial Cost
• Fuel supply
• Safety
• Construction
• Slow to build