Power Generation/Steam Power/Part6

This type of power station has very high energy losses due to great heat loss in the boiler and condensor. the following equation is used to calculate power station efficiency:

Thermal efficiency $$= \frac{Mechnical_.energy_to_.turbineshaft}{Heat_.of_.coal_.combustion}$$

the above can be re-written as follows:

$${\eta}_{thermal} = \frac{Mechnical_.energy}{Heat_.of_.coal}$$

The above generally works out to ±30% for steam power stations.

you can further calculate overall efficiency as follows:

$${\eta}_{overall} = \frac{Heat_.equivelence_.of_.Electric_.power_.output}{Heat_.of_.coal_.used}$$

the above can be re-written as follows:

$${\eta}_{overall} = {\eta}_{Electrical} \times {\eta}_{Thermal}$$

The above generally works out to ±29% ( 1% loss at the generator ) for steam power stations.