Losses and Efficiency in Thermal Power Plant

Losses and Efficiency in Thermal Power Plant

Losses and Efficiency in Thermal Power Plant

% of heat losses at different stages in a thermal power plant.

Stages

%
Heat Losses

To dry flue gases

To moisture in gases

To ash and unburnt carbon

To radiation and leakage

Unknown losses

Heat rejected to condenser

Alternator losses

5%

5%  in boiler

1%

2.5%

2.5%

54%

1%

 

Total  71%

Hence overall efficiency is only 29%.


How to Improve efficiency of thermal power plant ?
  • The steam turbine is operated at high temperature and high pressure.
  • The condenser is operated at low pressure.
  •  The steam is reheated between turbine stages.
  • Bleeding of turbine is done to improve the thermal efficiency.

The overall efficiency can be improved upto 40 % with above methods.

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