Power Plant Size

2,000 Billion BTU? Let's assume that's BTU/hr.

http://www.simetric.co.uk/si_b.htm

Let's see: 1BTU/hr = 0.2931W.

Let's assume 'billion' = American Billion = 10⁹, and the thermal efficiency of the power station to be 45%

Therefore 2x10¹² BTU/hr => 2.6x10⁵MW generated power.

http://homepages.tesco.net/~andrew_mcguinness/list.html gives a total of 6.03x10⁴MW as the total generating capacity of the UK, so 2000 Billion BTU is around 4.3 times the generating capacity of the UK.

So one possible answer to that question is therefore 'the aggregated lifestyles of those occupying most of western Europe'.

Obviously the initial assumption that the input is 2000 Billion BTU/hr is not correct - it is more likely to be 2000 Billion BTU/yr.

Working on this basis, we get a more realistic figure of 29.7MW for the size of the power plant.

Regards,

Arasu (Mechanical Engineer)

This may be correct and looks viable.

Thank you. You got it right, genius. I failed to include that info but you're able to provide the answer, anyway.

Next question would be; as the input btu increases at the rate of 2%/yr will the power output increases proportionally or the plant size/capacity need an upgrade?

Actually, there's a lot of factors that are considered when designing power plants.

One thing is based on the economics of the plant: Do you have a market in the region? Will sales ever pay for the plant of the size which can use the energy resources?

Another economic thing to consider is whether or not the market will increase 2% per year IF the power output increases 2% per year.

What is the electric grid's deficit in the region now? What are the projections for needed energy production in the next 30 - 40 years?

Read some of the 'white papers' by power company executives and energy experts. Some think that if the power is available, people will use it. With more and more people thinking 'green' these days, any power company will certainly have to consider the source of energy. If it's fossile fuels (as it has been called forever -- whether coal or oil), then one must consider the short and long term impacts: economic, political, and environmental.

feed of 2,000 Billion btu? If you can calculate to this amount of Btu then you need not ask us.Don't come in as a guest with vivid ideas. Register yourself as a member so we can recognize you as a contributor to the forum and as we go along each one of us gets idea of each member's intellectual capability.

Power plants are not a child's play just because you picked up a thought.

What Power plants- Hydro/Gas Turbine/Steam turbine/ and so on.

Gas/Diesel/Furnace Oil/Bio Mass and so on.

Please send us your Cv first so we are aware of how & what to reply.If you are a High School/College/Chemical/Mechanical Engineer- this then is not your field.

Nor is it a field to handle by a single engineer.

2,000 Billion btu - Tell be something better.

Ducon, it is an insult to Mechanical Engineers to say that 'this is not your field'.

Sorry misprinting, I take back.

what is the temperature gradient that comes with these BTU?

I can put a pipe in the Atlantic and get 2 billion BTU, suitable only for melting ice?

To be useful your 'waste' heat muct be at a temperature that a heat engine can use to make power.

If it is water at 80F it is good for warming greenhouses, etc