A thermal power station is a facility that produces electricity from burning coal, fuel oil or gas in a boiler designed for this purpose. The operation of all power plants or power plants is similar. Fuel is stored in parks or adjacent tanks, from where the power is supplied, through the boiler, where combustion is triggered. The latter generates steam from water flowing through an extensive network of pipes that line the walls of the boiler. The steam spins the turbine blades, the rotor shaft rotates together with a generator that produces electricity, and this energy is transported by high voltage lines to the centers of consumption. Meanwhile, the vapor is cooled in a condenser and turned into water again, which returns to the boiler tubes, beginning a new cycle (Liu et.al, pp. 1049-1058.).
The circulating water that cools the condenser expels the heat extracted to the atmosphere through towers cooling, large structures that identify these plants, part of the heat extracted passes to a nearby river or sea. Cooling towers are huge cylinders made ??half maximum (hyperboloid) which steadily emit water vapor, non-polluting to the atmosphere. To minimize the effects of combustion pollutants on the environment, the plant has a tall chimney (at about 300 m) and about retaining the ashes precipitators and other volatiles combustion. The ashes are recovered for use in processes of metallurgy and in the field of construction, which mix with the cement.
Environmental Consideration
The environmental effects of a thermal power come from the combustion process , and dust emissions and greenhouse gases. In general environmental effects, for example, pollution, occupation of space by the central volume of waste - increase in the following order: gas, fuel oil, light fuel oil and heavy coal combustion.
The emission of waste into the atmosphere and the very processes of combustion produced in power plants have a significant impact on the environment. To try to mitigate, to the extent possible, these plants can cause damage to the natural environment, are incorporated into the various elements and systems installations. The problem of contamination is maximum in the case of conventional thermal power plants that are fuelled by coal. Furthermore, the combustion of coal results in the emission of particulates and acidic sulphur greatly polluting the atmosphere. Fuel oil in the emission levels of these contaminants are smaller but must take into account the emission of oxides sulphur and soot acids , practically zero in gas plants. The steam power plants can operate with so-called combined cycle, which allows higher yields (up to just over 50%), which would still power running this cleaner fuel.
As a result of processing coal and gas-oil was, these plants are major emitters of pollutants, heat, noise and vibration. The biggest drawback is the terrible environmental impact occurs, emitting gases that cause both the greenhouse effect and acid rain. In the case of oil is discharged into the sea worrisome when transported, as it creates the famous oil slicks.
