The step-by-step process of generating electricity from coal

The provided diagram illustrates the sequential stages involved in the generation of electricity using coal as the primary fuel source. Overall, the process is a closed-loop system that transforms chemical energy into electrical energy through combustion, steam production, and mechanical rotation.

The process begins with coal being stored and then transported to a pulveriser, where it is ground into a fine powder. This pulverised coal is fed into a furnace, where it is burned to produce heat. This thermal energy is used to heat water within a pipe system, converting it into steam. The high-pressure steam is then directed towards a turbine, causing it to rotate.

Following the turbine stage, the mechanical energy generated is transferred to a generator, which produces electricity. This electricity is subsequently passed through a transformer to adjust the voltage before being transmitted across the national grid via power lines. Simultaneously, the steam used to drive the turbine is directed into a cooler, where it is condensed back into water and recycled back into the furnace to repeat the cycle, ensuring the efficient use of resources throughout the power generation process.