höyryvoimala

Höyryvoimala, or steam power plant, is a type of thermal power station that uses steam to generate electricity. The fundamental principle involves heating water to produce high-pressure steam, which then drives a turbine. This turbine is connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy of the spinning turbine into electrical energy.

The process typically begins with a boiler, where a fuel source such as coal, natural gas, oil, biomass, or nuclear energy is used to heat water. This superheated water turns into steam. The steam is directed through pipes to a steam turbine, a device with blades that rotate when struck by the high-pressure steam. The rotating turbine shaft is coupled to a generator, which is essentially an electric motor working in reverse. As the generator's rotor spins within a magnetic field, it induces an electric current.

After passing through the turbine, the steam is cooled and condensed back into water in a condenser, typically using a source of cooling water like a river or ocean. This water is then pumped back to the boiler to repeat the cycle. The efficiency of a steam power plant is influenced by factors such as steam temperature and pressure, as well as the effectiveness of the condensation process. Different types of fuels can be used, leading to classifications like coal-fired power plants, natural gas-fired power plants, and nuclear power plants, all of which utilize the steam cycle for electricity generation.