How does coal produce electiricity?

Answer 1

The process of converting coal into electricity has multiple steps and is similar to the process used to convert oil and natural gas into electricity:

1. A machine called a pulverizer grinds the coal into a fine powder.
2. The coal powder mixes with hot air, which helps the coal burn more efficiently, and the mixture moves to the furnace.
3. The burning coal heats water in a boiler, creating steam.
4. Steam released from the boiler powers an engine called a http://wiki.answers.com/glossary.html#turbine, transforming heat energy from burning coal into mechanical energy that spins the turbine engine.
5. The spinning turbine is used to power a http://wiki.answers.com/glossary.html#generator, a machine that turns mechanical energy into electric energy. This happens when magnets inside a copper coil in the generator spin.
6. A condenser cools the steam moving through the turbine. As the steam is condensed, it turns back into water.
7. The water returns to the boiler, and the cycle begins again