This video explains quite nicely how a real coal-fired power station works (Drax, UK). It links directly to the Energy Resources topic at KS3 and includes all of the major features required for KS4 (GCSE) such as:
- Burning of coal in a furnace.
- Water turned to steam in a boiler.
- Steam drives a turbine.
- Turbine drives a generator.
In addition it mentions modifications to improve efficiency and reduce pollution which offer links to topics in physics, chemistry or geography such as:
- Coal delivered by rail and train doesn't stop (conserves energy/ faster/ more efficient).
- Coal is crushed to give a larger surface area to react faster.
- Flue gases go through an electrostatic precipitator to remove particulates.
- Desulfurisation with a limestone slurry (prevent acid rain).
In total, quite a lot of the content of a GCSE science course for one 6 minute video.
John
