Thermal power plants

Summary

Discussion of the types, principles and operation of thermal power plants with an emphasis on components (turbines, heat exchange, boiler) both for the state-of-the-art (60% of total world power) and for advanced concepts, considering both natural and renewable fuels and heat sources.

Content

Keywords

Energy/Exergy. Euler equation. Action/reaction turbines. Emissions reduction. Nuclear small modular reactors. Kalina cycle. Efficiency. Scale. All fuels/sources.

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Thermodynamics 1

Basic chemistry

Heat & Mass transfer

Important concepts to start the course

1st Law, 2nd Law, Exergy. Chemical equations. Heat transfer.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Explain Explain the principles and limitations of the main energy conversion technologies, E7
• Assess / Evaluate Assess / Evaluate and design volumetric turbines, E13
• Assess / Evaluate Assess / Evaluate fluid flows in energy conversion systems, compute pressure drops and heat losses and fluid - structure interactions, E10
• Analyze Analyze the energy and exergy efficiency of industrial energy systems, E21
• Explain Explain and calculate the main emission sources of energy conversion processes, E23
• Identify Identify the challenges related to energy: resources, energy services, economic and environmental impacts, E9

Teaching methods

Ex catedra 2h.

1h exercice with TA.

Expected student activities

Critical thinking

Coming to class and participating in exercices.

1 excursion visiting a 10 MWe power plant (Lausanne)

Assessment methods

3h written exam, open book (all material allowed).

Application exercices and multiple-choice questions on understanding of principles/concepts.

Supervision

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

No

Bibliography

Dipak Sarkar, Thermal Power Plant Design & Operation

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/ME-458