Ask pupils to identify and label the energy changes on the flow
diagram worksheet in activity 8c by inserting the following words in the
correct position.
• Chemical energy
• Heat and light energy
• Kinetic or movement energy
• Electrical Energy
You can use your own judgement to determine whether the positions
the students have placed the words is correct. However we offer the
following as guidance.
Chemical energy present in waste is burned to produce heat and light
energy. This energy heats the water to high pressure steam which is
movement or kinetic energy. The steam turns the turbine transferring
the movement or kinetic energy and also releases some energy in the
form of heat (due to the friction of moving parts). The moving turbine’s
movement or kinetic energy is transferred to the generator where it is
converted into electrical energy and again some energy is lost in the
form of heat.
Discussion Point
This lost heat could be recovered in a combined heat and power plant
which would not only use the kinetic energy to generate electricity, but
would also use the heat either in the plant itself or send it to warm local
houses or businesses as part of a district heating system.
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Energy Transfer in the
Thermal Recovery Facility