In a thermal power plant, overall efficiency depends on how effectively the heat energy from coal is converted into electrical energy.
This calculator helps engineers and students to calculate:
- Efficiency (%)
- Coal Consumption per hour (TPH)
- Specific Coal Consumption (SCC)
🔥 Efficiency of Thermal Power Plant, Coal Consumption & SCC Calculator
Key Formulas Used
Coal Consumption per Hour or SCC (Specific Coal Consumption) Formula
Coal Consumption (TPH)= SCC (kg/kWh) × Generation (MW)
Output Energy (Electrical Output)
Output Energy (kcal/hr)= Generation (MW) × 1000 × 860
Here, 1 kWh = 860 kcal
Input Energy (Heat Supplied by Coal)
Input Energy (kcal/hr)= Coal (kg/hr) × GCV (kcal/kg)
Efficiency of Thermal Power Plant
η= (Output Energy / Input Energy) × 100
η= (Generation in MW×1000×860) / (Coal (kg/hr) × GCV (kcal/kg)×100
Important Terms and Conversion Data
1️⃣ Generation (MW): It is the power output of the generator.
1 MW = 1000 kW
2️⃣ kWh (Kilowatt-hour): It is the unit of electrical energy produced.
1 kWh = 860 kcal
3️⃣ GCV (Gross Calorific Value): It is the amount of heat released when one kilogram of coal is completely burned.
Unit: kcal/kg
4️⃣ Coal Consumption: It is the rate at which coal is fired into the boiler.
Common units:
- TPH = Tonnes per hour
- kg/hr = Kilograms per hour
1 TPH = 1000 kg/hr
5️⃣ SCC (Specific Coal Consumption): It is the amount of coal required to produce one unit (1 kWh) of electricity.
Typical range: 0.4 – 0.8 kg/kWh
6️⃣ Efficiency (η): It is the ratio of useful electrical energy output to total heat energy input from coal
Typical Efficiency of Coal-based Power Plant:
Between 32% to 38% depending on boiler design, coal quality, and plant technology.