ME-702-C Power Plant Engineering - Dec 2024 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
   aWhat are the different sources of energy available for power generation? How long they can last?
   How to answer

   • List conventional and non-conventional sources: coal, oil, gas, nuclear, hydro, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, tidal
   • Classify as renewable / non-renewable and give estimated reserves / lifetime
   • Discuss factors affecting availability and duration
   • Conclude on future mix for power generation
2. 7 Marks
   bExplain the component of the wind mill and how does it operates to move the turbines?
   How to answer

   • List main components of wind mill: rotor, blades, hub, gearbox, generator, tower, yaw, control
   • Explain wind energy conversion to mechanical to electrical
   • Explain operation to drive turbine rotor
   • Neat sketch of wind mill layout
3. 7 Marks
   aDraw a general layout of steam power plant with neat diagram and explain the working of different circuits.
   How to answer

   • Draw general layout showing boiler, turbine, condenser, pump, coal handling, ash handling, cooling
   • Explain four circuits: coal-air, steam-water, cooling water, electrical
   • Explain working sequence from fuel to generator
   • State functions of major equipment
4. 7 Marks
   bDefine boiler mountings and accessories.
   How to answer

   • Define boiler mountings as safety essential fittings required by law
   • List mountings: safety valve, water level indicator, pressure gauge, fusible plug, etc.
   • Define accessories as efficiency enhancing devices
   • List accessories: superheater, economiser, air preheater, feed pump, etc.
5. 7 Marks
   aExplain with the help of neat sketches the working of 'forced draft' and 'Induced draft' cooling towers.
   How to answer

   • Sketch forced draft tower with fan at base pushing air
   • Sketch induced draft tower with fan at top pulling air
   • Explain air and water flow paths in each
   • Compare location of fan, power, recirculation
6. 7 Marks
   bWhat is the purpose of feed water heating in a steam power plant? Describe the working of a contact type feed water heater with the help of neat diagram.
   How to answer

   • State purpose: improve thermal efficiency, reduce thermal shock, deaeration, fuel saving
   • Draw contact / direct contact feed water heater with steam and water mixing
   • Explain mixing, condensation and heat transfer process
   • State advantages of contact type heater
7. 7 Marks
   aWhat do you mean by 'Binding Energy'? What are the total binding energy and binding energy per nucleon for the $_6C^{12}$ nucleus?
   How to answer

   • Define binding energy as mass defect equivalent $\Delta m c^2$
   • Write formula for mass defect of $_6C^{12}$ nucleus
   • Calculate total binding energy in MeV
   • Divide by 12 to get binding energy per nucleon
8. 7 Marks
   bDescribe with the help of a neat sketch the construction working of a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) nuclear power plant. What are its advantages and disadvantages?
   How to answer

   • Draw PWR showing reactor vessel, pressurizer, steam generator, primary and secondary loops
   • Explain pressurized primary coolant preventing boiling and heat transfer to secondary
   • Explain power generation via secondary steam turbine
   • List advantages and disadvantages
9. 7 Marks
   aWhat is chain reaction? How it is maintained? What is the difference between controlled and uncontrolled chain reaction? Explain with neat sketches and with examples.
   How to answer

   • Define chain reaction and neutron multiplication
   • Explain maintenance using moderation and control rods, k=1 condition
   • Differentiate controlled vs uncontrolled with examples: reactor vs bomb
   • Sketches of fission neutron cycle for both cases
10. 7 Marks
    bDescribe a breeder reactor with the help of suitable diagram. What are its advantages and disadvantages?
    How to answer

    • Draw breeder reactor core with blanket, coolant and heat exchanger
    • Explain breeding of fissile Pu-239 / U-233 from fertile material
    • Explain breeding ratio >1 working
    • List advantages and disadvantages
11. 7 Marks
    aDraw and explain hydrologic cycle.
    How to answer

    • Draw hydrologic cycle showing evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff
    • Explain water circulation between ocean, atmosphere and land
    • Explain role in hydro power availability
    • State water balance concept
12. 7 Marks
    bExplain the construction of flow duration curve and discuss its importance in comparing the power potentiality of different storage used for power generation. https://www.rgpvonline.com
    How to answer

    • Explain data arrangement of stream flow vs percent time
    • Describe steps to plot flow duration curve
    • Explain use to assess firm power and storage needs
    • Discuss comparison of power potential of different sites
13. 7 Marks
    aDiscuss briefly on the essential elements of hydro power plant.
    How to answer

    • List essential elements: dam, reservoir, intake, penstock, surge tank, powerhouse, tailrace
    • Briefly state function of each element
    • Explain water flow path through plant
    • Sketch layout of hydro plant
14. 7 Marks
    bWhat is the function of a hydraulic turbine? What are the criteria to select hydraulic turbines for a power plant? How are the turbines classified?
    How to answer

    • Define hydraulic turbine function: convert hydraulic energy to mechanical
    • List selection criteria: head, discharge, speed, efficiency, cavitation
    • Classify by head, action, flow direction: Pelton, Francis, Kaplan
    • Summarize suitability for power plant
15. 7 Marks
    aWhat do you mean by load factor and diversity factor? Prove that the load factor of a power system is improved by an increase in diversity of load.
    How to answer

    • Define load factor = average load / maximum demand and diversity factor = sum of maxima / system maximum
    • Derive relation showing higher diversity reduces system maximum
    • Prove load factor increases with diversity for same energy
    • Give example of diverse loads improving utilization
16. 7 Marks
    bWrite an explanatory note on the economics of power generation.
    How to answer

    • Define cost components: fixed, semi-fixed, running costs
    • Explain factors: load factor, diversity, location, fuel, interest
    • Discuss tariff and selection of plant type
    • Conclude on economic load sharing