A power plant burns coal and generates an averageof 660.0 Megawatts (MW) of elec

Question

A power plant burns coal and generates an averageof 660.0 Megawatts (MW) of electrical power while discharging990.00 MW as waste heat. Find the total electrical energy generatedby the plant in a 30-day period.

Coals vary a lot in their energy content. Theenergy released by the burning of coal is typically between 23 and33 Mega Joules per kg of coal. The power plant above uses coalrated at 25.3 MJ/kg to heat the boilers. Some of that heat isconverted to electrical energy, but most is waste heat dischargedinto the environment. Assume that it takes about 2.26 kg of oxygento burn 1 kg of coal (The actual amount varies with the type coal).Find the total mass of the reagents used in operating for 30days.
A power plant burns coal and generates an averageof 660.0 Megawatts (MW) of electrical power while discharging990.00 MW as waste heat. Find the total electrical energy generatedby the plant in a 30-day period.

Coals vary a lot in their energy content. Theenergy released by the burning of coal is typically between 23 and33 Mega Joules per kg of coal. The power plant above uses coalrated at 25.3 MJ/kg to heat the boilers. Some of that heat isconverted to electrical energy, but most is waste heat dischargedinto the environment. Assume that it takes about 2.26 kg of oxygento burn 1 kg of coal (The actual amount varies with the type coal).Find the total mass of the reagents used in operating for 30days.

Explanation / Answer

Average Electrical energy per second E = 660MJ          Since average power P = 660 MW the total electrical energy generated by the plant in a 30-dayperiod E ' = E * 30 * 24 * 60 * 60                                                                                                           =1.71072 * 10 ^ 9 MJ Since 30 days = 30 * 24 * 60 * 60 s (b). Rate of coal R = 25.3 MJ / kg Energy produced by burning the coal in one second = 660MJ + 990 MJ                                                                               = 1650 MJ energy produced by burining the coal in 30 days E " =4.2768 * 10 ^ 9 MJ Mass of coal for this energy M = E " / R                                                = 169.043 * 10 ^ 6 kg given 1 kg of coal requires 2.26 kg of O2 So, 169.043 * 10 ^ 6 kg of coal requires 2.26 * 169.043* 10^ 6 kg of O2                                                            M' = 382* 10 ^ 6 kg of O2 Therefore total mass of reagents used in 30 daysperiod = M + M '                                                                                        =551.08 * 10 ^ 6 kg Mass of the coal

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