--- title: "Requirements of steam power station design" subject: "Power Plant Equipment" chapter: 7 key: "semester_7/power_plant_equipment:steam-station-design-requirements" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/power_plant_equipment/steam-station-design-requirements site: BCT Engineering --- # Requirements of steam power station design Power Plant Equipment · Chapter 7: Thermal (Steam) Power Plant - Asked in: 2075 Chaitra, 5 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/power_plant_equipment/steam-station-design-requirements - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/power_plant_equipment/chapter-7 ## Question What are the essential requirements of steam power station design? ## Short answer Key requirements: site with fuel/water access, high efficiency via high pressure/reheat/regeneration, reliability and availability, low capital and operating cost, flexible load following, proper fuel/ash handling, water treatment, environmental controls, safety, and a compact layout. ## Answer A steam power station must produce electricity **reliably, cheaply and safely** with least harm to the environment. The essential design requirements are: 1. **Site selection:** near a fuel source or good rail/road access, large supply of cooling water (river, lake), cheap and firm land with good bearing capacity, space for ash disposal and future extension, nearness to load centre, away from towns (pollution). 2. **High efficiency / low fuel cost:** high steam pressure and temperature, reheating, regenerative feed heating, economiser and air preheater, good condenser vacuum. 3. **Low capital and operating cost:** proper unit size, standardised equipment, automation, minimum staff. 4. **Reliability and availability:** good quality equipment, adequate spare (standby) units, easy maintenance, proper protection. 5. **Flexibility:** ability to follow load changes, quick start-up, good part-load efficiency. 6. **Fuel and ash handling:** reliable storage, handling and firing equipment; safe ash disposal. 7. **Water treatment:** treated make-up water to avoid scale and corrosion in boiler and turbine. 8. **Environmental control:** ESP/bag filters, flue gas desulphurisation, tall chimney, treatment of waste water, noise control, cooling towers to avoid thermal pollution. 9. **Safety:** fire protection, safety valves, proper layout and access. 10. **Proper layout:** short steam and water pipes, logical flow of coal - boiler - turbine - switchyard, space for maintenance cranes. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which is an essential site requirement for a steam power station? A. Large cooling water supply and fuel access B. Dry desert location without water C. A hilltop with poor soil D. Inside a city centre Answer: A. Cooling water, fuel/transport access, good bearing capacity and ash space are key site needs. (Key point: Site selection) 2. Which measures belong to the high efficiency design requirement? A. Low steam pressure and no reheating B. High pressure and temperature, reheating, regeneration, economiser and good vacuum C. Bypassing the condenser D. Removing the air preheater Answer: B. These raise efficiency and lower fuel cost. (Key point: Efficiency measures) 3. Which equipment addresses environmental design needs? A. ESP/bag filters, flue gas desulphurisation, tall chimney, cooling towers B. Larger boiler only C. Bigger coal yard D. More feed pumps Answer: A. These control dust, SO2, ground-level pollution and thermal pollution. (Key point: Environmental control) 4. What does flexibility mean for a steam station? A. Following load changes, quick start-up and good part-load efficiency B. Running only at full load C. Using only one fuel D. Having no standby units Answer: A. Flexibility is the ability to follow load, start quickly and run efficiently at part load. 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