Energy Systems III (ENS226B)
DATE OF TEST: 15 August 2019
Duration: 60 minutes Maximum Marks: 33
Question 1: Thermal power generation [15]
1.1 Discuss the factors that are considered when selecting a site for a nuclear power station in terms of
waste disposal, transportation facilities and Availability of water. (6)
Waste disposal: The radio active waste should either be buried in a deep trench or
disposed off in a sea quite away from the sea shore.
Transportation facilities: The site selected for a nuclear power station should have
adequate facilities (roads,railways) in order to transport the heavy equipment during
erection and to facilitate the movement of the workers employed in the plant.
Availability of water: As sufficient water is required for cooling purposes, therefore,
the plant site should be located where ample quantity of water is available, e.g.,
across a river or by sea-side
1.2 Describe the function of each of the following components as found in a nuclear power generation
plant? (3)
(a) Alternator
Converts mechanical energy from the steam-turbine into electrical energy.
(b) Steam turbine
Convert the steam produced by the heat exchanger into mechanical energy in order
to drive the alternator.
(c) Moderator rods
They slow down the neutrons before they bombard the uranium fuel rods.
1.3 Describe two main functions of a condenser as used in the coal thermal power plant. (4)
Firstly, it creates a very low pressure at the exhaust of turbine, thus permitting
expansion of the steam in the prime mover to a very low pressure.
Secondly, it is used condense the exhausted steam from the turbine and reuse it as
pure feed water in the boiler
1.4 Describe two main disadvantages of a coal power plant as compared to hydro power plant? (2)
It pollutes the atmosphere due to the production of large amount of smoke and
fumes.
It is costlier in running cost as compared to hydroelectric plant.
Question 2: Gas-turbine and renewable energy systems [18]
2.1 Describe the operation of a gas-turbine power plant. (4)
Atmospheric air is drawn in and passed through the air filter and then flows into the
compressor and is led into the combustion chamber to be heated as to increase the
temperature of the air.
Heat is added to the compressed air either by burning fuel in the chamber or using
the air heaters.
The hot and high pressure air from the combustion chamber is then passed to the
gas turbine where it expands and does the mechanical energy and create hot flue gases.
The gas turbine drives the alternator which converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
2.2 Describe two disadvantages of a gas-turbine power plant in terms of efficiency and temperature.
(2)
The overall efficiency of such plants is low (about 20%) because the exhaust gases
from the turbine contain sufficient heat.
The temperature of combustion chamber is quite high (1649˚C) so that its life is
comparatively reduced.
2.3 Describe when is it suitable to select a Francis turbine and a Pelton turbine, respectively, during the
construction of a hydropower plant. (4)
Francis turbine: It is used for heads of 50 – 500 m with the water flow within the turbine
following a spiral path.
Pelton turbine: It is used for heads of 150 – 1500 m and consists of bucket wheel rotor.
2.4 Describe the function of each of the following components: (2)
(a) Spillways
They are used to discharge the surplus water from the storage reservoir into the river
situated down-stream side of the dam.
(b) Headworks
They are used to divert floating debris to control flow of the water to the turbine.
2.5 Describe what is meant by open circuit voltage and maximum power voltage, respectively, as found
in solar PV module specifications. (4)
The open circuit voltage is the highest voltage generated by the PV module when no
load is connected.
Maximum power voltage is the voltage that occurs when the module is connected to
a load and is operating at its peak performance output under standard test
condition.
2.6 The specifications of a PV panel are Voc = 45V, Vmp = 30V, Isc = 15A and Imp = 9A. Determine
the total number of solar PV panels you would purchase to build a PV array that can supply a
maximum power of 6.75 kW load? (2)
Total number of PV panels = 6750 / (30 x 9 ) = 25 panels
