Mechanical Engineering
CME392 POWER GENERATION EQUIPMENT DESIGN
(Regulation 2021)
Time: Three hours
Answer ALL questions Maximum: 100 marks
Part A (10 x 2 = 20 Marks)
1.Explain the function of the moderator.
Moderator is a material which is used to slow down the neutrons from high
velocities without capturing them. The fast moving neutrons are far less
effective in causing the fission and escape from the reactor.
2.What do you understand by cogeneration system?
Cogeneration is also called combined heat power. Cogeneration works based
on the concept of producing two different forms of energy by using a single
source of fuel. Out of these two forms, one must be heat or thermal energy
and other one is either electrical or mechanical energy. Cogeneration is the
most optimum, reliable, clean and efficient way of utilizing fuel.
3.State the advantages of gaseous fuels.
1) The produced gas can be easily transported to the required point.
2) Immediate or instant control of combustion is possible.
3) There is no difficulty of smoke and ash disposal.
4) Low grade solid fuels can be used after producing gas from it by
gasification.
5) There is no pollution of air while exhausting the burnt gases.
4. What are the advantages of burning coal in pulverized form?
1) Coal is pulverized to increase its surface exposure and complete
combustion.
2) High combustion temperature can be obtained.
3) By pass flow can be obtained to reduce the waste heat.
4) Clean combustible gases can be produced.
5) Combustion rate is increased.
6) Thermal efficiency is increased.
7) Fuel feed rate is increased
8) It has more heating son face mea
9) It requires less percentage of excess th
10) Low grade fuel can also be used.
11) It is free from clinker troubles,
12) High temperature can be produced,
13) Preheated air is used to improve the pulverisation process,
14) No cooling equipment is required,
5. List out the major advantages of high-pressure bollers in modern
thermal power plants.
(i) The tendency of scale formation is eliminated due to high velocity of water
through tubes.
(ii) Light weight tubes with better heating surface arrangement can be used.
The space required is less. The cost of foundation and time of erection are
minimised due to less weight of tubes used.
(iii) Due to use of forced circulation, there is more freedom in the
arrangement of surface, tubes and boiler components.
6.List the advantages of balanced draft system.
A power plant can be operated with a furnace pressure slightly below
atmospheric to prevent flue gas leakage to the surroundings. The system
allows using both induced and forced draft systems in order to combine the
advantages of both.
7. On a global-scale perspective brief out how nuclear energy is possible
to replace the fossil fuel combustion based power plants.
If the concept of just sustainability is applied to the nuclear energy sector a
global large-scale sustainable nuclear energy system to replace fossil fuel
combustion requires the following: (i) a radical improvement in greenhouse
gas emissions intensity by improved technology and efficiency through the
entire life cycle to prevent energy Cannibalism during rapid growth; (ii) the
elimination of nuclear insecurity to reduce the risks associated with nuclear
power so that the free market can indemnify it without waste at the end of
life and minimization of environmental impact during mining and
operations; and (iv) the nuclear industry must regain public trust or face
obsolescence as a substantial public nuclear energy insurance subsidies; (ii)
the elimination of radioactive swarm of renewable
8. Distinguish between PHWR and LMFBR.
S. No. PHWR LMFBR
A nuclear power reactor
commonly uses
unenriched natural A nuclear reactor is capable of
1 uranium as its fuel which generating more fissile
uses heavy water material than it consumes.
(deuterium oxide D₂O) as
its coolant and moderator
Pressurized heavy water
reactors (PHWR) running The conversion ratio is higher
2
on natural uranium have a than 1.
conversion ratio of 0.8.
3 It is costly. Its cost is comparatively less.
9. Define "Diversity factor".
Diversity factor is defined as the ratio of sum of individual maximum
demand to the actual peak load of the system. Diversity factor = Sum of
individual maximum demand Actual peak load of the system.
10. How the tariff for electrical energy is arrived?
Diversity factor is defined as the ratio of sum of individual maximum
demand to the actual peak load of the system. Diversity factor= Sum of
individual maximum demand Actual peak load of the system
Part B (5 x 13 = 65 Marks)
11.(a) A steam power plant operates on a theoretical reheat cycle.
Steam at boiler at 150 bar, 550°C expands through the high pressure
turbine. It is reheated at a constant pressure of 40 bar to 550°C and
expands through the low pressure turbine to a condenser at 0.1 bar.
Draw T-s and h-s diagrams. Find the:
(i) quality of steam at turbine exhaust
(ii) cycle efficiency
(iii) steam rate in kg/kWh.
(b) (i) Describe the water and steam flow circuit of the thermal power
plant layout.
(ii) Draw the layout of geothermal power plant and explain its
operation.
12.(a) (i) Discuss the working of Burner Management System (BMS) with
a neat sketch.
(ii) Mention any four equipment used for ash collection.
Or
(b) Describe the different types of over feed stokers and discuss its
merits and demerits of each over others.
13.(a) (i) Explain with neat sketch the construction and working of La
Mont Boiler.
(ii) Explain the principle of fluidized bed combustion (FBC)
system. State the advantages of FBC system.
Or
(b) (i) Explain the arrangement and operation of a surface condenser.
(ii)Differentiate between forced draught and induced draught cooling
tower.
14.(a) (i) Write a note on nuclear fuels.
(ii) Explain the construction and working of nuclear power plant with
a layout.
.
(b) (1) List the desirable properties of a moderator and a coolant.
(ii) Explain the necessity of pressurizer in a PWR power plant.
15.(a) A power station has to supply load as follows:
Time (hours) 0-6 6-12 12-14 14-18 18-24
Load (MW) 30 90 60 100 50
(i) Draw the load curve
(ii) Draw the load duration curve
(iii) Select suitable generating units to supply the load
(iv) Calculate the load factor
(v) Calculate the capacity of the plant and the plant capacity factor,
Or
(b) (i) An input-output curve of 10 MW thermal power station is given by
equation Input (I) (2L+50L+75)10 kJ/h. where L-load on power plant in MW.
Calculate the load at which the efficiency of the plant will be maximum and
the increase in input required to increase the station output by 2 MW by
using input-output equation and by incremental rate curve.
(ii) Discuss environmental impacts of installing power plants.
Part C - (1 x 15 = 15 Marks)
16.(a) (6) Determine the thermal efficiency of a steam power plant and its
cold bl annum using the following data:
Maximum demand 24000 kW
Load factor 40%
Boiler efficiency 80%
Turbine efficiency 93%
Coal consumption 0.87 kg/Unit
Price of coal Rs. 280 per tonne.
Or
(b) (i) Find the cost of generation per kWh from the following data.
Capacity of the plant 120 MW
Capital cost Rs. 1,200 per kW installed
Interest and depreciation 10% of capital
Fuel consumption 1.2 kg/kWh
Fuel cost Rs. 40 tonne
Salaries, wages, repairs and maintenance - 6,00,000/year
The maximum demand is 80 MW and load factor is 40%.
