Coal is extracted from the earth through surface mining or underground mining. Surface mining is used when the coal is close to the surface, while underground mining is used when the coal is deeper.
Step 2: Coal Preparation
Once the coal is mined, it is transported to a coal preparation plant. Here, the coal is crushed, washed, and sorted. This process removes impurities like dirt, rocks, and sulfur from the coal.
Step 3: Coal Combustion
The prepared coal is then burned in a coal-fired power plant. The combustion process releases heat, which is used to generate steam.
Step 4: Steam Generation
The heat from the coal combustion turns water into steam. The steam is then directed to a turbine.
Step 5: Turbine
The high-pressure steam from the boiler strikes the blades of the turbine, causing the turbine to spin.
Step 6: Generator
The spinning turbine is connected to a generator. As the turbine spins, it generates electricity.
Step 7: Transmission
The electricity generated by the power plant is then transmitted to homes and businesses through an electrical grid.
