 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steam is used in many forms of power generation, such as oil, coal, nuclear, and natural gas as the final transfer of energy that spins the turbine. Steam is water vapor that is heated to the boiling point; it is a colorless, odorless gas. Many people think that steam is the cloud of vapor that escapes from a pot of boiling water, but this is not true. Steam is the clear stream of vapor that is very close to the pot. The cloud that is mistaken as steam is condensed steam, and has visible water in it.
|
|
|
|
Energy in steam is held both in heat and pressure. When heat is applied to a water molecule, the electrons begin to move very rapidly around it. The change of state from a liquid to a gas takes place when the energized, moving molecule of water takes to the air because of its quickly moving electrons. The water molecule in air stays away from other water molecules. The distance between the molecules creates pressure. When countless billions of water molecules are heated, and all repelling each other, pressure builds. When this pressure is released, energy can be generated.
|
|
|
|
When the pressure in steam is released, it transfers its energy to whatever it hits, usually a turbine or a piston. The transfer of energy from the steam to the object causes it to move. This movement can be used to generate electrical energy, or it can use the steam energy directly as seen in machines such as steam-powered trains, steam engines, and steam shovels. The transfer of energy is what is used in many power plants to transfer the heat energy released from the fuel to the turbine.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Louis Marick, "Steam"
World Book Encyclopedia, 1980
Bibliography
|
|
|
|
 | Click the image to see the mov... more
Copyright © Martin Flynn. Permission obtained on the 14th of August, by Email message. |
| Click the image to see the mov... more
Copyright © Martin Flynn. Permission obtained on the 14th of August, by Email message. |
| Click the image to see the mov... more
Copyright © Martin Flynn. Permission obtained on the 14th of August, by Email message. |
|
|
No contributions available for this page yet.