An electric power plant has an overall efficiency of 15.0%. The plant is to deliver 150 MW of power to a city, and its turbines use coal as the fuel. The burning coal produces steam that drives the turbines. This steam is then condensed to water at 25.0°C by passing it through cooling coils in contact with river water.
(a) How many metric tons of coal does the plant consume each day (1 metric ton = 103 kg)?
(b) What is the total cost of the fuel per year if the delivered price is $8.00/metric ton?
(c) If the river water is delivered at 20.0°C, at what minimum rate must it flow over the cooling coils in order that its temperature not exceed 25.0°C? (Note: The heat of combustion of coal is 33.0 kJ/g)