TOUR OF ABBOTT POWER PLANT
Our tour begins at the north end of the Abbott Power Plant, with a brief introduction of the Rankine Cycle and the history of the plant. Don't forget a hard hat, earplugs, and a copy of the infographic!
Source: Illinois News Bureau, "Abbott Power Plant stack...," https://news.illinois.edu/view/6367/490000
"The pump receives water and steam from a supply and from the condenser."
"It takes in electrical energy and compresses the water on its way to the boiler."
"The water is compressed to nearly 76 times atmospheric pressure."
The next stop after the pump is the boiler. It is on the second floor up from the pump. It takes fuel in to heat water and turn it into steam for the turbines.
Source: Wikimedia Commons, "Wightwick Hall Firebox," https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:6989_Wightwick_Hall_firebox.jpg
"The turbine contains different-pressure sections to maximize the energy obtained from the steam."
"The special heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) attachment allows the facility to produce both electric and heat energy."
"The water is compressed to nearly 76 times atmospheric pressure!"
"It basically turns the energy in the steam into energy that we can use."
"Take a look at your infographic to fill out the corresponding section for the turbine!"
Back on the bottom floor, our last stop is the condenser. The condenser takes low-pressure steam and water from the turbine outlet and condenses it into pure water for the pump to compress.
"Abbot Power Plant was constructed in 1941."
"It supplies around 70% of UIUC's energy demand."
"The plant produces enough energy to power nearly 25,000 homes."
"It generates both steam and electricity for the campus and for the Champaign area."
Source: Illinois Facilities and Services, "Abbott Power Plant," https://fs.illinois.edu/services/utilities-energy/production/abbott-power-plant
The first thing one sees on entering the power plant is the pump; it compresses condensed water on its way to the boiler.
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"The plant contains both natural gas-powered and coal-powered boilers."
"Take a look through the glass to see the fire in the furnace!"
"Electrostatic precipitators and flue gas desulfurization units reduce air pollutants in the smoke exiting out the stack and out into the open air."
Next up are the turbines. They are all set up in a row on the second floor of the plant, close to the boiler. Abbott has a variety of different turbines, all producing energy (in the form of work) from steam.
From top to bottom, these pictures show Turbines 1, 7, and 8 of the power plant.
"A constant flow of cold water into the heat exchanger condenses the steam."
"The heat is carried away by the cold water, and the now pure water is shipped off to the pump to begin our cycle anew."
"The condenser receives low-pressure steam and water from the turbines and allows it to condense fully into pure water."
Our tour ends where it originally began, back at the north end of the Power Plant. We conclude with a brief summary of the cycle and go over the infographic. The summary of the Rankine Cycle can be viewed in-depth in the "Explanation of the Rankine Cycle" tab, and the infographic can be viewed in the "Infographic" tab.
All pictures on this page, unless otherwise stated, were taken from the ME200 course webpage.