Monday, December 7, 2009

Minnesota's Power

12/7/09: 7:10 a.m. At MN Power's Laskin Energy Center in Hoyt Lakes. Let's see how this thing is put together.

Facts: Produces 110,000 kilo-volts of power
Lower-sulfur, sub-bituminous coal generating station
Two power generating units are rated for 55 megawatts each

What a sight to see. One D-9 cat pushing coal into a grizzly hopper/reclaim unit. The coal gets a ride on a belt system into the plant after it is pulverized into a fine powder. The fine powder is produced by a massive steel rotating wheel that is located in the drum house. The pressurized system then forces the coal and air powder into the two boiler units, one for each steam turbine. The Pre-igniter units combust the fuel air mixture and swirl the ferocious updraft inferno up and out the exhaust exchangers. The inferno super heats the water lines in the boiler, this water goes to a chamber between two rotating drums allowing the water to instantly evaporate into steam. The steam is fused into the the main throttle unit on each Westinghouse turbine. Wickets allow the transfer of this energy from the high pressure side to the low pressure side, spinning a generator to create power. A step-up transformer ends the power distribution cycle by increasing the voltage to transfer long distances through transmission lines.

What a great start to the week. A employer that treats its employees well. Employees that love there job and as a result create a positive learning environment. I seen much more today I cannot describe. I learned much more that I thought would be dry and boring. I was wrong, very wrong... I cannot wait to see what the rest of the week has to offer.

Proofed by: Alex and Austin

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