Cen Tralles Hydroelectric Impact on Environment and Energy

Cen Tralles Hydroelectric and the Environment: Advantages

The atmosphere does not emit particulate pollutants, and the waste generated is minimal. Each kilowatt-hour produced avoids the emission of 1 kg of carbon dioxide (CO2), 7 g of sulfur oxides (SOx), and 3 g of nitrogen oxides (NOx). The regulatory minimum flow is crucial in drought conditions; water can be used to provide for the consumption of local populations.

Disadvantages: Loss of fertile lands and villages that are submerged, leading to significant problems for the inhabitants. Alteration of river flow and erosion issues, modification of vegetation and fauna, and possible accumulation of organic matter caused by sewage spills can deteriorate water quality and may even release gases into the atmosphere.

Functioning of the Thermoelectric Plant: The coal storage center uses a conveyor belt to feed a hopper that supplies a crushing mill, where the coal is ground into a fine powder to facilitate combustion. The coal dust is mixed with preheated air and injected into burners in the boiler, where combustion occurs. The heat from combustion heats water in tubes, producing steam. Moisture is removed, and the superheater increases the temperature. Under these conditions, high-pressure steam is introduced into the turbine, which operates at both high and low pressures. The steam expands in various sections of the turbine, transferring kinetic energy to the turbine rotor, which in turn drives the rotor of the alternator, where energy is converted through electrical transformers. The distribution park and transport lines deliver electricity to consumer centers. After leaving the steam turbine, the steam goes to the condenser, where it cools and condenses. The condensed water undergoes several stages of preheating in the boiler and is introduced through the economizer under optimal pressure and temperature conditions for maximum cycle efficiency. The water used in the condenser cooling extracts heat from the condenser and releases it into the atmosphere through cooling towers. The combustion gases are filtered through precipitators to retain as many solid pollutants as possible before being released from a tall chimney, which helps disperse pollutants into the upper atmosphere.

Cogeneration Plant: This plant produces electricity using a fuel and utilizes waste heat for heating water, steam, heated fluids, etc., depending on the needs of the area.

Nuclear Power Plants: These plants are a source of thermoelectric energy generated by the thermal fission of plutonium atoms, converting nuclear energy (fuel) into thermal energy (boiler), then into kinetic energy (steam), followed by kinetic energy of rotation (turbine), and finally into electrical power (alternator) for use.