In a thermal power plant, the heat energy obtained by burning the coal in a boiler is used to raise the steam. The steam runs a steam turbine which is coupled with the alternator and generates electrical energy. Thus, in a steam station, the boiler, the steam turbine, Economizer Chimney, and the alternator constitute the main equipment.
The reactor is used in the Nuclear thermal plant. The main function of the nuclear reactor is to generate energy by splittings the atom.