A coal-fired plant generates 600 MW of electric power. The plant uses 4.8 * 106 kg of coal each day. The heat produced by the combustion of coal is 3.3 * 107 J/kg. The steam that drives the turbines is at a temperature of 300°C, and the exhaust water is at 37°C. (a) What is the overall efficiency of the plant for generating electric power

Question

Physics

Emery Phelps

19 August, 23:46

A coal-fired plant generates 600 MW of electric power. The plant uses 4.8 * 106 kg of coal each day. The heat produced by the combustion of coal is 3.3 * 107 J/kg. The steam that drives the turbines is at a temperature of 300°C, and the exhaust water is at 37°C. (a) What is the overall efficiency of the plant for generating electric power

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Answers (1)

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Cooper Harrell · Answer 1

32.7%

Explanation:

Given:

Power output P_ (out) = 600MW

We know that

Power input P_ (in) = energy/time = (4.8 x 10^6 kg x 3.3 x 10^7 J/kg) / (24 x 3600) = 1,833 MW

Efficiency = (P_out:P_in) x 100% = (600:1833) * 100%

Efficiency = 32.7%