Question

A power plant generates 150 MW of electrical power. It uses a supply of 1000 MW from a geothermal source and rejects energy to the atmosphere. Find the power to the air and how much air should be flowed to the cooling tower (kg/s) if its temperature cannot be increased more than 10oC.

Answer 1

Answer:

- the power to the air is 850 MW

- mass flow rate of the air is 84577.11 kg/s

Explanation:

Given the data in the question;

Net power generated; $W_{net$ = 150 MW

Heat input; $Q_k$ = 1000 MW

Power to air = ?

For closed cycles

Power to air Q₀ = Heat input; $Q_k$ - Net power generated; $W_{net$

we substitute

Power to air Q₀  = 1000 - 150

Q₀ = 850 MW

Therefore,  the power to the air is 850 MW

given that ΔT = 10 °C

mass flow rate of air required will be;

⇒ Q₀ / CpΔT

we know that specific heat of air at p=c ; Cp = 1.005 kJ/kg.K

we substitute

⇒ ( 850 × 10³ ) / [ 1.005 × 10 ]

⇒ ( 850 × 10³ ) / 10.05

⇒ 84577.11 kg/s

Therefore, mass flow rate of the air is 84577.11 kg/s