lämpövoimaloiden

Lämpövoimalat, or thermal power plants, are industrial facilities designed to generate electricity through the process of heating water to produce steam. This steam then drives turbines, which are connected to generators that produce electrical energy. The heat source for the water can vary significantly, with common fuels including fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil, as well as nuclear fuel and biomass.

The fundamental principle behind most thermal power plants involves a cycle of heating, expansion, and cooling. Fuel is combusted in a boiler, releasing heat that is transferred to water, converting it into high-pressure steam. This steam expands and pushes against the blades of a turbine, causing it to rotate. The rotating turbine is coupled to a generator, a device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. After passing through the turbine, the steam is cooled and condensed back into water, which is then pumped back to the boiler to repeat the cycle.

Different types of thermal power plants exist based on their primary fuel source. Coal-fired power plants burn coal to produce heat, while natural gas plants utilize natural gas. Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to generate heat. Biomass power plants burn organic materials like wood or agricultural waste. The choice of fuel has significant implications for the plant's environmental impact, operational costs, and efficiency. Emissions from combustion, particularly from fossil fuels, are a major consideration in the design and operation of these facilities, leading to the development of technologies for pollution control and carbon capture.