ES-401 Energy & Environmental Engineering - Nov 2023 Question Paper

Under each question, How to answer lists the points an answer should cover, outlined by CampusPrep from the syllabus. Check the details against your textbook.

1. 7 Marks
   aExplain about the advantage of a pumped storage hydroelectric power station.
   How to answer

   • Definition and working principle of pumped storage hydroelectric plant
   • Peak load shaving and base load balancing
   • Energy storage and grid stabilization benefits
   • High efficiency, quick start capability, and renewable integration
2. 7 Marks
   bDiscuss about energy environment and sustainability related issues.
   How to answer

   • Interrelationship between energy consumption and environmental degradation
   • Major issues: greenhouse gas emissions, global warming, resource depletion
   • Concept of sustainable development and clean energy transition
   • Measures for achieving energy sustainability
3. 7 Marks
   aBriefly explain about the best energy source for the environment with suitable example.
   How to answer

   • Identification of clean/renewable energy sources (e.g., Solar, Wind)
   • Reasons why it is environmentally benign (zero emissions, abundant)
   • Real-world suitable example or case study
   • Comparison with conventional fossil fuels
4. 7 Marks
   bExplain the difference between the food chain and the food web.
   How to answer

   • Definitions of food chain (linear) and food web (interconnected network)
   • Key differences tabular comparison (complexity, adaptability, stability)
   • Role in maintaining ecological balance
   • Illustrative examples of both
5. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss about grassland ecosystem and its types.
   How to answer

   • Definition and structural components (biotic and abiotic) of grassland ecosystem
   • Classification into Tropical grasslands (e.g., Savanna) and Temperate grasslands (e.g., Steppes, Prairies)
   • Characteristics of flora and fauna in each type
   • Ecological and economic importance
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain the types of aquatic ecosystems.
   How to answer

   • Classification into Freshwater ecosystems and Marine ecosystems
   • Freshwater sub-types: Lentic (standing - lakes, ponds) and Lotic (flowing - rivers, streams)
   • Marine ecosystems: Oceans, coral reefs, coastal zones
   • Transitional zones like wetlands and estuaries
7. 7 Marks
   aExplain the relationship between species and ecosystems.
   How to answer

   • Role of species in energy flow and nutrient cycling
   • Concept of keystone species and their impact on ecosystem balance
   • Ecological niche and functional diversity
   • Effect of species loss on ecosystem stability and resilience
8. 7 Marks
   bWhat is biodiversity, explain biodiversity at national and local level in India?
   How to answer

   • Definition of biodiversity (genetic, species, ecosystem levels)
   • India as a mega-diverse nation and its biogeographic zones
   • Biodiversity hotspots in India (Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Sundaland)
   • Local level diversity: endemic flora/fauna, community-conserved areas, sacred groves
9. 7 Marks
   aBriefly explain about different methods of conserving biodiversity.
   How to answer

   • Classification into In-situ (on-site) and Ex-situ (off-site) conservation
   • In-situ methods: National parks, wildlife sanctuaries, biosphere reserves
   • Ex-situ methods: Botanical gardens, zoos, seed/gene banks, tissue culture
   • Legal and policy measures (e.g., Wildlife Protection Act)
10. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss about marine pollution. What are the five effects of marine pollution?
    How to answer

    • Definition and primary sources of marine pollution (land runoff, oil spills, plastics, industrial discharges)
    • Five key effects: 1. Harm to marine life and bioaccumulation, 2. Depletion of oxygen (dead zones/eutrophication), 3. Disruption of coral reefs and habitats, 4. Economic loss to fisheries and tourism, 5. Threat to human health through seafood contamination
11. 7 Marks
    aExplain about main causes effects and control measures of urban and industrial wastes.
    How to answer

    • Causes: Rapid urbanization, manufacturing processes, high consumption patterns
    • Effects: Groundwater leaching, soil and air pollution, disease vectors, toxic chemical bioaccumulation
    • Control measures: Segregation at source, 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), sanitary landfills, incineration, composting, effluent treatment plants
12. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss about sources effects and control measures of thermal pollution.
    How to answer

    • Sources: Cooling water discharge from thermal/nuclear power stations, industrial effluents
    • Effects: Decrease in dissolved oxygen (DO), thermal shock to aquatic organisms, alteration of breeding and metabolic rates
    • Control measures: Cooling ponds, cooling towers (wet and dry), spray ponds, recycling heated water
13. 7 Marks
    aWhat is rainwater harvesting and why it is important? Explain with suitable diagram.
    How to answer

    • Definition of rainwater harvesting (collection and storage of runoff)
    • Importance: Recharging groundwater table, mitigating water scarcity, reducing urban runoff and flooding
    • Key components: Catchment area, conduits, filtration unit, storage tank/recharge pit
    • Neat labeled diagram of a rooftop rainwater harvesting system
14. 7 Marks
    bExplain how can we solve water scarcity by conserving water?
    How to answer

    • Analysis of the water scarcity problem (over-extraction, pollution, wastage)
    • Agricultural conservation: Micro-irrigation (drip/sprinkler), drought-resistant crops
    • Domestic and municipal conservation: Low-flow fixtures, public awareness, leak repair
    • Industrial water reuse, wastewater recycling, and watershed management
15. 14 Marks
    Write a short note on any two : a) Superconductor based energy storage b) Desert ecosystem c) Soil pollution d) Industrial waste
    How to answer

    • For (a) SMES: Magnetic field energy storage in a superconducting coil, near zero resistive loss, fast response time, components (cryogenic system, power conditioning unit)
    • For (b) Desert ecosystem: Arid climatic conditions, xerophytic vegetation adaptations, specialized fauna, fragile food web
    • For (c) Soil pollution: Sources (pesticides, fertilizers, heavy metals, leachate), adverse impacts on fertility and food chain, remediation methods
    • For (d) Industrial waste: Hazardous vs non-hazardous waste, heavy metals and toxic chemicals, treatment techniques (ETPs, incineration, safe disposal in secured landfills)