Electric power generation energy losses

These calculations offer complete information on the physical dimensions of the fuel cell package capable of generating a specific amount of electrical energy. The power generated by various elements does not take into account various losses or cell efficiency. If these two factors are taken into account, the net electrical power generated will be about 85% of the values shown in Table 3.4. 

Figure 11 -59. Representative expander refrigeration systems for temperature requirements and/or power recovery. (A) Expander coupled to a generator recovers pressure-loss energy for conversion to electric power. (B) System for power recovery from reactors in chemical processing plants. (C) Typical waste-heat recovery system using expansion turbines to generate electrical power. (Used by permission Bui. 2781005601. Atlas Copco Comptec, Inc.)...

The power factor of an insulating material indicates its tendency to generate heat in service. The electrical energy loss is directly proportional to the frequency and at high frequencies only materials of very low power factor may be used as cable insulation. 

A conventional power plant fired by fossil fuels converts the chemical energy of combustion of the fuel first to heat, which is used to raise steam, which in turn is used to drive the turbines that turn the electrical generators. Quite apart from the mechanical and thermal energy losses in this sequence, the maximum thermodynamic efficiency e for any heat engine is limited by the relative temperatures of the heat source (That) and heat sink (Tcoid) ... 

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