Question

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

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%