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la production d'électricité EDF
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- fossil-fired power plants
fossil-fired power plants
Fuel in the form of coal, fuel oil or gas is burned inside a boiler. The resulting heat converts water into steam. This steam drives a turbine which is connected to a generator, which generates electricity. It then turns to water again by passing through the condenser, after which it resumes another cycle towards the boiler.
fuel
Fuel comes in three forms: coal, fuel oil or gas. In coal-fired plants, fuel is crushed and pulverised. In oil-fired plants, very fine droplets of fuel are introduced into the combustion chamber through burners. Gas comes in two forms: natural gas for gas/combined cycle power plants, or metal-based gases.
basic diagram
production of steam
Fuel burns inside a boiler which can stand as high as 90 meters and weigh more than 9000 tons. It is padded with tubes through which water flows in order to be heated. Through the effects of heat, water is converted into steam which is kept under pressure and sent towards the turbines.
the turbine-generator set
Fuel burns inside a boiler which can stand as high as 90 meters and weigh more than 9000 tons. It is padded with tubes through which water flows in order to be heated. Through the effects of heat, water is converted into steam which is kept under pressure and sent towards the turbines.
the condenser
Having passed through the turbine, the steam is then sent to the condenser through which cold water flows. The reaction is immediate: the steam returns to its liquid state. This water is then recovered and flows back into the boiler. Another cycle can begin. Cooling water, on the other hand, is either returned to its natural environment or sent back to the condenser.
principle of a conventionnal fossiled-fired plant
Learn about the workings of a fossil-fired power plant, step by step.
launch the film (French version)
the turbine-generator set
How does a turbine-generator set convert energy into electrical power?
start animation