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Steam coal, also known as thermal coal, is used in power stations to generate electricity.
Coal is first milled to a fine powder, which increases the surface area and allows it to burn more quickly. In these pulverised coal combustion (PCC) systems, the powdered coal is blown into the combustion chamber of a boiler where it is burnt at high temperature (see diagram below). The hot gases and heat energy produced converts water - in tubes lining the boiler - into steam.
The high pressure steam is passed into a turbine containing thousands of propeller-like blades. The steam pushes these blades causing the turbine shaft to rotate at high speed. A generator is mounted at one end of the turbine shaft and consists of carefully wound wire coils. Electricity is generated when these are rapidly rotated in a strong magnetic field. After passing through the turbine, the steam is condensed and returned to the boiler to be heated once again.
The electricity generated is transformed into the higher voltages (up to 400,000 volts) used for economic, efficient transmission via power line grids. When it nears the point of consumption, such as our homes, the electricity is transformed down to the safer 100-250 voltage systems used in the domestic market.
Efficiency ImprovementsImprovements continue to be made in conventional PCC power station design and new combustion technologies are being developed. These allow more electricity to be produced from less coal - known as improving the thermal efficiency of the power station. Efficiency gains in electricity generation from coal-fired power stations will play a crucial part in reducing CO2 emissions at a global level.
Efficiency improvements include the most cost-effective and shortest lead time actions for reducing emissions from coal-fired power generation. This is particularly the case in developing countries where existing power plant efficiencies are generally lower and coal use in electricity generation is increasing. Not only do higher efficiency coal-fired power plants emit less carbon dioxide per megawatt (MW), they are also more suited to retrofitting with CO2 capture systems.
Improving the efficiency of pulverised coal-fired power plants has been the focus of considerable efforts by the coal industry. There is huge scope for achieving significant efficiency improvements as the existing fleet of power plants are replaced over the next 10-20 years with new, higher efficiency supercritical and ultra-supercritical plants and through the wider use of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) systems for power generation.
A one percentage point improvement in the efficiency of a conventional pulverised coal combustion plant results in a 2-3% reduction in CO2 emissions.
What else can I help you with?
How much energy does coal produce?
Coal produces around 24-33 megajoules of energy per kilogram when burned. The energy output can vary depending on the type and quality of the coal.
The energy in coal is used to make electricity how is the energy stored in coal?
The energy in coal is stored as potential energy during its formation over millions of years. This potential energy is released as heat when the coal is burned, which is then used to generate electricity through steam turbines.
How is stored chemical energy converted into thermal energy when coal is burned to make steam?
When coal is burned to make steam, the stored chemical energy in the coal is released as heat energy through a combustion reaction. This heat energy is then used to heat water and produce steam, which in turn drives turbines to generate electricity. The thermal energy from burning coal is transformed into mechanical energy and then electrical energy in this process.
What form of energy does coal make?
Energy cannot be 'made' or 'destroyed'. It can simply be transformed to a different type of energy. Coal contains chemical energy, which will for example, be converted to heat energy in say a coal fired industrial boiler.
How much energy is generated from coal?
The amount of energy generated from coal can vary based on factors such as the type and quality of coal, the efficiency of the power plant, and the technology used. On average, coal-fired power plants convert about 33-40% of the energy in coal into electricity.
How much of the energy in burning coal reaches the consumer as electricity?
One third of coal's energy reaches the consumer.
How much of your energy is supplied by coal?
10%
What percent of nuclear powerplants make energy in the US by coal?
Zero percent of nuclear power plants make energy by coal, US or otherwise.
How much energy does coal produce?
Coal produces around 24-33 megajoules of energy per kilogram when burned. The energy output can vary depending on the type and quality of the coal.
What energy resource is most commonly used to make energy?
coal
The energy in coal is used to make electricity how is the energy stored in coal?
The energy in coal is stored as potential energy during its formation over millions of years. This potential energy is released as heat when the coal is burned, which is then used to generate electricity through steam turbines.
How is stored chemical energy converted into thermal energy when coal is burned to make steam?
When coal is burned to make steam, the stored chemical energy in the coal is released as heat energy through a combustion reaction. This heat energy is then used to heat water and produce steam, which in turn drives turbines to generate electricity. The thermal energy from burning coal is transformed into mechanical energy and then electrical energy in this process.
How can you make energy?
You can't make energy, but you can release it from fuels such as coal, oil, gas, and uranium.
What is a coal-fired energy plant?
A coal-fired energy plant is one that burns coal (as the source of energy) to make electricity or drive machinery.
How much energy does coal provide in the US?
15
What is renewable alternative to coal?
You can use many different things. some examples are: Bio-Fuel (still in development) Wind (not as reliable as coal) solar (doesn't produce as much energy as coal) hydro (doesn't produce as much energy as coal)
What form of energy does coal make?
Energy cannot be 'made' or 'destroyed'. It can simply be transformed to a different type of energy. Coal contains chemical energy, which will for example, be converted to heat energy in say a coal fired industrial boiler.
