Question

Coal used in a power plant is also known as:
(A) Steam Coal
(B) Charcoal
(C) Coke
(D) Soft coal

Answer 1

Hint:Before launching into a discussion on the coal type, let us see what a coal power plant is. A coal-fired power station or coal power plant is a thermal power station which burns coal to generate electricity. As a type of thermal power station, a coal-fired power station converts chemical energy stored in coal successively into thermal energy, mechanical energy and, finally, electrical energy.

Step by Step Solution:
The coal is usually pulverized and then burned in a pulverized coal-fired boiler. The furnace heat converts boiler water to steam, which is then used to spin turbines that turn generators. Steam coal (sometimes called thermal coal) is a grade of coal used in electric power plants to generate steam to create electricity. Steam coals for power plants must meet quality and heating characteristics of the boiler design and for the design of pollution-control equipment at a power plant. Steam coal is ground into a fine powder that burns quickly at high heats. It also may be used to provide space heating for homes and businesses.

Hence we can say that the coal used in a power plant is Steam coal or the correct option is (A).

Note: Coal power plants provide around forty per cent of the world’s total electricity produced and are primarily used in developing countries.
Coal power plants have many associated environmental impacts on the local ecosystem.

The burning of coal releases many pollutants - oxides of nitrogen and sulphur and particulate matter. They also emit greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), which are known to contribute to global warming and climate change.