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Coal to Electricity

The process of converting coal to electricity at a thermal generating station is really a collection of separate processes which are all inter-related.

These processes typically include:

  1. coal handling
  2. boiler & steam generation
  3. ash systems
  4. turbine / generator
  5. circulating water & condenser
  6. transformers & switchyard

Coal is supplied by the mine and crushed to provide fuel for the boiler. The coal is mixed with hot air and burned in the boiler. This provides heat to boil the water and create steam. The steam is then superheated before going to the turbine.

The heavy ash from burning the coal is collected at the bottom of the boiler and returned to the mine for disposal. The lighter ash is removed from the exhaust gases and collected and sold. The remaining gases, mainly Nitrogen, Carbon Dioxide and water vapour, are exhausted up the stack (chimney).

Steam from the boiler passes through the turbine, spinning it at 3600 rpm. The steam is condensed back into water in the condenser and returned to the boiler to be re-used. The turbine turns the generator, which creates the electrical current. The electricity from the generator is passed through a transformer to raise the voltage before going out on the power lines to the customers.


Edmonton Power Historical Foundation

Hours of operation 2023

We are located on the grounds of the Leduc West Antique Museum. Travel 5 miles west of Leduc on Highway 39. Go north on Range Road 260 (Cohne Dale Road) for about a mile and the museum will be on your right. The museum is closed for the winter, however we are looking forward to opening our doors on May 27 for the Leduc West Antique Society Spring Swap Meet, Tractor Pull & Music Series. Featured will be all manner of vendor tables, displays, tours, and the first Tractor Pull of the season. In the evening the first concert of the Music Series will feature "Prairie Sky" on stage.
July 22 & 23 is theLWAS Annual Exposition, the biggest event of the year which will include public tours, exhibits, a parade of antique vehicles, and a Tractor Pull; on Saturday evening the Music Series will feature "The Jivin' Belles" performing songs heavily influenced by close harmony groups of the 40's like the Andrews Sisters.
September 9 & 10, the final event of the summer season is the Fall Harvest event… with public tours, exhibits and the Tractor Pull Provincial Finals event. The final music performance of the season will feature “Celtera” and as their name implies is steeped in the music from the Emerald Isle and Scotland.

 

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