Energy:Thermal power

Hwange Thermal Power Station. Image credit businessdaily.co.zw

• In thermal power production, fuel is used to heat water in huge boilers, converting this water into steam.
• The steam at high pressure and through pipes, is directed to turbines.
• The pressure turns the turbines which in turn, turn generators and electricity is produced.
• The steam from the powerhouse is pumped to huge cooling towers where it is converted back to water.
• It is then repumped back to the boilers for reuse.
• A fuel is a substance which boils when lit and is always a hydrocarbon.
• At a thermal power station, fossil fuels such as coal, oil or natural gas can be used to boil the water.
• A fossil fuel is one which formed millions of years ago from the partial decay of organic matter and has to be mined before use.
• However some fossil fuels such as wood, crop residues and baggage are not fossil fuels types and are burnt directly after harvesting.

To access more topics go to the O Level Geography Notes page