1. Pure heating (smoke only during heating)
The structure is relatively simple, the boiler parts only run during the heating period, and the chimney only smokes during the heating period. (such as high-tech thermal power, Jida boiler room)
2. Pure power generation (smoking all the year round)
The boiler often works, and the smoke emitted from the chimney can be seen all year round, providing steam to the steam turbine continuously. The steam after the steam turbine does work will be condensed into water by the condenser and returned to the boiler. In most cases, steam can be seen in a cooling tower that is short and thick relative to a chimney.
3. By the way, generate electricity to keep warm (smoking all year round, maybe more in winter)
It is very common in the northeast. In case 2, after the steam does work, it will first heat the water in the heating circuit in the heat exchanger, and then enter the condenser, which usually runs all year round, but some thermal power plants may be equipped with additional heating boilers to start in winter to achieve the heating effect. (such as Datang Thermal Power Plant and Huaneng Thermal Power Plant)
4. Heating power generation (mainly smoking in winter, but also possible in summer)
This kind of unit is very flexible and is often used by private enterprises, units and even individuals. On the basis of the third case, the cooling tower and condenser are removed or weakened, which reduces their proportion in condensation function and makes more heat enter the heat exchanger to heat the water in the heating circuit. Individual designs may also fiddle with heat exchangers, using chillers or water source heat pumps as heat exchangers. (such as Yuguang Energy and FAW Kinetic Energy)