Question: 1. Energy Conversion, Efficiency, Combustion and Capacity Factor (30 marks) Coal and natural gas are widely used for electricity generation around the world. In this
1. Energy Conversion, Efficiency, Combustion and Capacity Factor (30 marks) Coal and natural gas are widely used for electricity generation around the world. In this problem, we will compare the emissions that develop from two different power plants: one that burns natural gas, and one that burns pulverized coal. a) Based on an approximate formula for coal, CH0.8O0.2, and an approximate formula for natural gas, CH4 (i.e., methane), write two balanced equations, one for each fuel, for complete combustion in oxygen. What is the molar mass of coal? How many moles of CO2 are released for the combustion of mole of coal? Coal CH0.8O0.2+?O2CO2+?H2O NG CH4+2O2? b) Assume that the efficiency of a coal power plant is 34%. Assume that the energy density of coal is 11,800Btu/lb. i) Calculate the heat rate for this power plant. ii) Calculate the amount of coal (in lb) needed for 1kWh, iii) Calculate the mass of carbon dioxide released per kWh of electricity generated by a coal power plant. c) The US generated 899 billion kWh of electricity from coal in 2021. If, on average, the capacity factor of all the coal-fired power plants is 55%, calculate the total nameplate capacity of all coalfired power plants in the United States in GW for 2021
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