NTPC Tanda Thermal Power Plant Report
Chapter 4: Installed Capacity and Units
The NTPC Tanda Thermal Power Plant has undergone capacity changes over time. Initially, the power
station consisted of four units of 110 MW each, summing up to a total installed capacity of 440 MW under
Stage I. These units, inherited from the Uttar Pradesh State Electricity Board (UPSEB), were old and
operated with sub-critical technology. Due to aging equipment and low efficiency, all Stage I units have been
decommissioned.
The current operational phase, known as Stage II, includes two supercritical thermal power generation units.
Each unit has a capacity of 660 MW, commissioned in 2018 and 2019 respectively. The total installed and
operational capacity of NTPC Tanda is now 1320 MW. The supercritical technology enhances thermal
efficiency and significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to the older units.
Each unit comprises a boiler, turbine, and generator setup supplied by leading manufacturers such as BHEL.
The control systems are integrated and modern, allowing for centralized monitoring and fault detection to
ensure seamless operation. These upgrades have made NTPC Tanda one of the more efficient plants in the
NTPC fleet.
Chapter 5: Coal Supply and Fuel Management
NTPC Tanda uses coal as its primary fuel. The plant sources coal from Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL)
and Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. The coal is transported to the plant
via Indian Railways using dedicated railway sidings and rakes. The plant also has arrangements for
temporary coal storage in coal yards within the site premises.
To ensure a consistent fuel supply, NTPC uses a Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA) with coal companies. This
guarantees long-term coal procurement under government-regulated terms. The coal received is subjected to
quality checks and crushed into fine particles in coal crushers before being fed into the boiler.
The plant uses a Computerized Fuel Management System (CFMS) that monitors the entire fuel cycle-from
procurement and transportation to usage and residual analysis. This system allows for real-time fuel tracking
and helps in optimizing costs and reducing wastage.
In addition to coal management, the plant monitors sulfur and ash content to ensure emission norms are met.
NTPC Tanda Thermal Power Plant Report
Blending techniques are used to maintain coal quality, and high-ash residue is handled efficiently through the
ash handling system.
Chapter 6: Boiler System Description
The boiler is the heart of a thermal power plant. At NTPC Tanda, each 660 MW unit is equipped with a
supercritical, once-through, pulverized coal-fired boiler. The supercritical design allows operation at higher
pressures and temperatures, leading to improved thermal efficiency.
The boiler uses pulverized coal burned in a furnace to convert water into high-pressure, high-temperature
steam. The main components of the boiler system include:
- Economizer: Pre-heats the feedwater using residual flue gases.
- Superheater: Increases the steam temperature above its saturation point.
- Reheater: Reheats steam after partial expansion in the turbine.
- Air pre-heater: Increases combustion efficiency by heating the air used for coal combustion.
- Burners: Where pulverized coal and air mix and combust.
Advanced control systems continuously monitor parameters like temperature, pressure, and flow to optimize
combustion. The flue gases are treated before being released into the atmosphere to ensure compliance with
environmental standards.
BHEL (Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited) supplied the boiler systems, which are designed for long-term,
high-efficiency performance. The system also includes safety valves, pressure relief devices, and emergency
shutdown mechanisms.
Chapter 7: Turbine and Generator Details
The turbine and generator form the power-producing unit of the plant. At NTPC Tanda, each 660 MW unit
includes a high-efficiency steam turbine connected to an electric generator. These units operate on the
Rankine cycle principle.
Each turbine is divided into three sections:
- High Pressure (HP) turbine
- Intermediate Pressure (IP) turbine
NTPC Tanda Thermal Power Plant Report
- Low Pressure (LP) turbine
Superheated steam generated in the boiler enters the HP turbine, then goes to the reheater and re-enters the
IP and LP turbines sequentially. As the steam expands, it spins the turbine blades, converting thermal energy
into mechanical energy.
The mechanical energy from the turbine is transmitted to the generator, which converts it into electrical
energy using electromagnetic induction. The generator typically operates at 3000 RPM and produces power
at a voltage of 21 kV, which is then stepped up to grid level through transformers.
These turbine-generator sets are manufactured by BHEL and include systems for cooling, lubrication, and
vibration monitoring to ensure reliability and long-term operation.
