EX-503-A Electrical Power Generation and Economy - 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
   aDiscuss the different sources of energy available in nature.
   How to answer

   • Define conventional vs non-conventional energy sources
   • List solar, wind, hydro, thermal, nuclear, biomass, geothermal, tidal
   • Brief characteristics and availability in nature
   • Relative merits for power generation
2. 7 Marks
   bWhat are the main considerations for selection of site for a hydroelectric power station?
   How to answer

   • Water availability, head, storage and catchment area
   • Proximity to load centre, accessibility and land cost
   • Geological, hydrological and environmental factors
   • Availability of construction material and water pollution aspects
3. 7 Marks
   aWrite brief notes on Pelton and Kaplan turbines.
   How to answer

   • Pelton turbine: impulse, high head, construction and operation
   • Kaplan turbine: reaction, low head, adjustable blades
   • Comparison of head range and applications
   • Neat sketches of both turbines
4. 7 Marks
   bDiscuss the flow and power duration curve of hydroelectric plant.
   How to answer

   • Definition of flow duration curve and power duration curve
   • Procedure to construct from chronological flow data
   • Use in load assessment and plant capacity selection
   • Illustrative curves with axes labelled
5. 7 Marks
   aDraw the diagram of modern thermal power plant and explain its operation.
   How to answer

   • Schematic layout showing boiler, turbine, condenser, pump, coal handling
   • Steam and water circuit and cooling circuit
   • Step-by-step operation from coal firing to generation
   • Function of major auxiliaries
6. 7 Marks
   bExplain the function of air-preheater and economizer in thermal power plant.
   How to answer

   • Location in flue gas and feed water path
   • Air-preheater: heat recovery, efficiency and combustion improvement
   • Economizer: feed water heating, fuel saving
   • Overall effect on plant efficiency
7. 7 Marks
   aDiscuss the availability of fuel for Nuclear power in India.
   How to answer

   • Uranium and thorium reserves in India
   • Jaduguda, Tummalapalle and monazite sands
   • Three-stage programme and import dependence
   • Current status and future prospects
8. 7 Marks
   bExplain the components of a nuclear reactor with neat diagram.
   How to answer

   • Neat diagram of reactor vessel with core, reflector, coolant
   • Fuel, moderator, control rods, coolant, shielding
   • Function of each component
   • Nuclear fission chain reaction control
9. 7 Marks
   aExplain the working principle of MHD generation system.
   How to answer

   • Faraday's law with conducting plasma in magnetic field
   • Ionized gas, electrodes and magnetic field arrangement
   • Open and closed cycle MHD systems
   • Advantages and limitations
10. 7 Marks
    bDraw and explain the I-V characteristics of a solar cell.
    How to answer

    • I-V curve shape with Isc, Voc and max power point
    • Effect of irradiance and temperature
    • Fill factor and efficiency definition
    • Explanation of operating regions
11. 7 Marks
    aDraw and discuss the plant layout of simple gas turbine plant.
    How to answer

    • Schematic with compressor, combustion chamber, turbine, generator
    • Air and gas flow path and Brayton cycle
    • Operation sequence and starting
    • Advantages and applications
12. 7 Marks
    bDiscuss different methods to improve thermal efficiency of gas turbine plant.
    How to answer

    • Regeneration, intercooling and reheating concepts
    • Effect on work ratio and thermal efficiency
    • Combined cycle and heat recovery
    • Operating parameter optimization
13. 7 Marks
    aBriefly explain what is meant by load curve, load duration curve and load factor of a generating station? How does the cost of energy depend on load factor?
    How to answer

    • Definitions of load curve, load duration curve and load factor with formulas
    • Illustrative curves and significance
    • Relation between load factor and per-unit energy cost
    • Effect of high load factor on fixed cost distribution
14. 7 Marks
    bHow wind energy can be converted into electrical energy?
    How to answer

    • Wind turbine components: rotor, gearbox, generator
    • Aerodynamic to mechanical to electrical conversion steps
    • Fixed vs variable speed and grid interfacing
    • Site and wind speed considerations
15. 14 Marks
    Write short notes on any two:

    1. i)Load forecasting
    2. ii)Peak load pricing
    3. iii)Fuel cells
    4. iv)Biomass energy
    How to answer

    • Select any two topics from the four options
    • Give definition, principle and key points for each
    • Mention applications and advantages/limitations
    • Conclude with relevance to power systems