How does Coal energy work?
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Coal is the largest sources of energy in the world, it is high in energy content and cheap to use.
It all begins by taking the coal and inserting it into pulverizers which grind the coal into fine dust, after the coal is ground into fine dust and blown into the furnace. The coal undergoes combustion in an exothermic reaction and releases large amounts of thermal energy. This thermal energy evaporates tubes of water inside the furnace to high temperatures and pressure steam . The thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy as the steam turns turbines that provide energy to the generators. The energy is then ready for consumer use.
Since Coal is mostly made up of Carbon, Sulfur and Hydrogen three different reactions occur when the coal undergoes combustion.
Combustion equation for coal:
C + O2 -> CO2
Combustion equation for hydrogen:
2 H2 + O2 -> 2 H2O
Combustion equation for sulphur:
S + O2 -> SO2
After the steam is used, it is sent into a condenser filled with cool water to be changed back into water. Since heat travels from hot to cold matter the steam heats up the water in the condenser. In order to regulate the temperature in the condenser to make sure it stays cool the hot water is sent to cooling towers that cool the water and return it to the condenser. The water is then reused.
For more information, see the following video on how the coal energy process works in a power plant:
It all begins by taking the coal and inserting it into pulverizers which grind the coal into fine dust, after the coal is ground into fine dust and blown into the furnace. The coal undergoes combustion in an exothermic reaction and releases large amounts of thermal energy. This thermal energy evaporates tubes of water inside the furnace to high temperatures and pressure steam . The thermal energy is converted into mechanical energy as the steam turns turbines that provide energy to the generators. The energy is then ready for consumer use.
Since Coal is mostly made up of Carbon, Sulfur and Hydrogen three different reactions occur when the coal undergoes combustion.
Combustion equation for coal:
C + O2 -> CO2
Combustion equation for hydrogen:
2 H2 + O2 -> 2 H2O
Combustion equation for sulphur:
S + O2 -> SO2
After the steam is used, it is sent into a condenser filled with cool water to be changed back into water. Since heat travels from hot to cold matter the steam heats up the water in the condenser. In order to regulate the temperature in the condenser to make sure it stays cool the hot water is sent to cooling towers that cool the water and return it to the condenser. The water is then reused.
For more information, see the following video on how the coal energy process works in a power plant: