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Power Generation

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Springer Handbook of Mechanical Engineering

Part of the book series: Springer Handbooks ((SHB))

Abstract

The chapter contains 32 sections. Section 16.1 gives an introduction to the principle of energy supply. This section also provides the state of the art of the economics of various energy resources. Different types of fuels and their characteristics are discussed in Sect. 16.3. The conversion of different forms of energy has been explained in Sect. 16.5. Working principles of different power plants like gas turbines, the internal combustion (IC) engine, fuel cells, nuclear, and combined cycle system are discussed in Sects. 16.6–16.10.

Section 16.11 explores the inherent features of the integrated gasification combined cycle system. Various types of gasifiers and their working procedures are explained in this section. Section 16.12 provides updated information about magnetohydrodynamic power generation and detailed information about various types of cogeneration system is also explained in Sect. 16.13.

Sections 16.14 and 16.15 explain the transformation of regenerative energies. These sections are mainly devoted to wind and solar energy conversion. Harvesting solar energy using solar ponds and solar chimneys is also explained in this section. The concept and working principle of the heat pump is explained in Sect. 16.16.

Section 16.17 contains the information about energy storage and distribution systems. Energy storage is used to offset the adverse effects of fluctuating demands for electricity and to assure a steady output from existing power plants. Various energy storage devices like pumped hydro, thermal energy, and hydrogen energy are described.

The furnace is the heart of a power generation system. Understanding its internal features and working principle is very important for a power plant professional. Section 16.18 satisfies these needs. It not only provides the characteristics of furnace combustion, but also provides the emission characteristics of furnace. Recent combustion technologies like fluidized bed combustion, bubb- ling fluidized bed combustion, and circulating fluidized bed combustion are also explored in Sect. 16.19.

Section 16.21 provides more details about the working principles of various types of burners. Inside the furnace the fuel must be evenly dispersed in the combustion airstream such that the fuel and air can come into intimate contact. Failure to achieve this results in unburnt or partially burnt fuel. The burner design attempts to achieve this by using a variety of techniques. Sections 16.22 and 16.23 facilitate understanding of various furnace accessories and technologies available to control emission.

The boiler is a key component in modern, coal-fired power plants; its concept, design, type, and integration into the overall plant considerably influence costs. The operating behavior and availability of the power plant are discussed in Sect. 16.24. Details of the various components of a steam generator are provided in Sect. 16.25.

Energy balance analysis and the efficiency calculation of furnace are described in Sects. 16.26–16.28. Thermodynamic calculations such as furnace design, boiler strength calculations, and heat transfer calculations are discussed in Sects. 16.29 and 16.30. Various types of nuclear reactors and their working principles are elaborated in Sect. 16.31. Finally, Sect. 16.32 is devoted to a discussion of future prospects and conclusions.

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Abbreviations

AGR:

advanced gas-cooled reactor

BWR:

boiling-water reactor

CCGT:

combined cycle gas turbines

CHP:

combined heat and power

CI:

compression ignition

CI:

corporate identity

DC:

direct current

ESP:

electronic stability program

ESP:

electrostatic precipitator

FBC:

fluidized-bed combustion

FBR:

fast breeder reactor

FD:

forced draught

FEGT:

furnace exit gas temperature

FGD:

flue gas desulphurization

HHV:

higher heating value

HP:

high pressure

HRSG:

heat recovery steam generator

IC:

integrated circuits

ID:

induced draught

ID:

inside diameter

LHV:

lower heating value

MHD:

magnetohydrodynamics

NTP:

normal temperature and pressure

OFA:

over fire air

PBMR:

pebble-bed reactor

PC:

personal computer

PC:

polycrystalline

PC:

pulverized coal

PWR:

pressurized-water reactor

SC:

supercritical

SC:

supply chain

SNCR:

selective noncatalytic reduction systems

SNG:

synthetic natural gas

UPS:

uninterruptible power supply

USC:

ultra-supercritical steam

p.t.o.:

power take-off

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Electrical Sciences, VIT University, 632 014, Vellore, TN, India

    Dwarkadas Kothari Prof.

  2. Mechanical Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology, HAUS KHAS, 110 016, New Delhi, India

    P.M.V. Subbarao Prof.

Authors
  1. Dwarkadas Kothari Prof.
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  2. P.M.V. Subbarao Prof.
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Dwarkadas Kothari Prof. or P.M.V. Subbarao Prof. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106, Magdeburg, Germany, Universitätsplatz 2

    Karl-Heinrich Grote Professor Dr.-Ing.

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (CALTEC), 91125, Pasadena, CA, USA, 1200 East California Boulevard

    Erik K. Antonsson Professor

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© 2009 Springer-Verlag

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Kothari, D., Subbarao, P. (2009). Power Generation. In: Grote, KH., Antonsson, E. (eds) Springer Handbook of Mechanical Engineering. Springer Handbooks. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-30738-9_16

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