Which Power Plant Emits More Heat: Nuclear or Fossil Fuel?

In summary, the overall efficiency of modern nuclear power plants is 30% while fossil fuel plants achieve 40%. To compare the heat emission rates of a nuclear plant and a fossil fuel plant, we need to know the output power, which is 1000 MW for both plants. This information is not enough to calculate the rate of heat emission, so we need more information.
  • #1
ChunkymonkeyI
35
0

Homework Statement


Modern nuclear power plants have an overall efficiency of about 30%. Fossil fuel plants achieve overall efficiencies of 40%. Compare the rate of heat emission from a nuclear plant with that from a fossil fuel plant each of which produces an output power of 1000 MW


Homework Equations



e=W/Qh

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know where to start because we're only given the efficency and the power but that's not enough information i think

 
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  • #2
I don't think your formula is useful in this case. It is a more basic efficiency question.

It's kind of like this. Say you are picking berries and you eat 70% of what you pick. After a long hot day, you have 5 pounds of berries in your pail. Can you figure out what you picked and what you ate? If you have trouble with that, try a 50% eating rate first.
 

What is the "Heat Engine problem 2"?

The "Heat Engine problem 2" is a theoretical problem in thermodynamics that involves calculating the maximum possible efficiency of a heat engine. It is a more complex version of the "Carnot cycle" problem, which aims to find the maximum efficiency of a heat engine operating between two temperatures.

How is the efficiency of a heat engine calculated?

The efficiency of a heat engine is calculated by dividing the work output by the heat input. In the "Heat Engine problem 2", the work output is the difference between the heat absorbed from the hot reservoir and the heat released to the cold reservoir, and the heat input is the heat absorbed from the hot reservoir.

What are the assumptions made in the "Heat Engine problem 2"?

There are several assumptions made in the "Heat Engine problem 2", including: the engine operates in a closed cycle, the working fluid is an ideal gas, there are no frictional losses, and the engine operates at steady state.

Why is the "Heat Engine problem 2" important?

The "Heat Engine problem 2" is important because it helps us understand the fundamental limits of heat engines and their efficiency. It also allows us to compare different heat engine designs and determine the most efficient one.

What is the significance of the maximum efficiency in the "Heat Engine problem 2"?

The maximum efficiency in the "Heat Engine problem 2" is important because it represents the theoretical limit for the efficiency of a heat engine. It cannot be exceeded, no matter how advanced the technology or design of the engine may be. This concept is known as the "Carnot limit" and plays a crucial role in thermodynamics and engineering.

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