1. Fuel Combustion:
- Fossil fuels are burned in a boiler or combustion chamber to produce heat energy.
- The combustion process involves mixing fuel with oxygen, typically in the presence of high pressure and temperature.
- Coal and natural gas are commonly used in large power plants, while oil is primarily used in smaller facilities or as a backup fuel.
2. Steam Generation:
- The heat released from fuel combustion turns water in a boiler into high-pressure steam.
- In some power plants, the steam may be superheated to increase its energy content further.
3. Turbine Rotation:
- The high-pressure steam is then directed to a turbine, which consists of multiple blades arranged in a circular fashion.
- As the steam flows through the turbine, its force causes the blades to rotate rapidly.
4. Electrical Generator:
- The rotating turbine shaft is connected to a generator.
- The spinning motion of the turbine shaft induces a magnetic field in the generator, resulting in the production of electricity.
- This electrical energy is generated as an alternating current (AC) at a specific voltage.
5. Voltage Transformation:
- To efficiently transmit electricity over long distances, it needs to be increased to higher voltage levels.
- Power plants have transformers that step up the voltage of the generated electricity to enable transmission through high-voltage power lines.
6. Electricity Distribution:
- The electricity produced at power plants is distributed to consumers through an interconnected electrical grid.
- Substations along the transmission lines further reduce the voltage levels for safe and efficient distribution to homes, businesses, and industries.
7. Environmental Considerations:
- The combustion of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases (primarily carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.
- To mitigate these environmental impacts, many power plants employ emission control technologies, such as flue gas desulfurization and selective catalytic reduction, to reduce emissions.
- Some countries are transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, including renewable energy, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation.
Overall, fossil fuels remain a significant source of energy for electricity production globally, but efforts are being made to reduce their environmental impact and transition towards more sustainable energy systems.
