http://www.tupmechanical.

com/2009/08/problem-solving-techniqueroot-
cause.html
Questions from the Philippine Mechanical Code (PSME Code)

1. As a requirement for permit application, for any installation involving machine, mechanical

equipment, general layout plan for each floor drawn should not be less than
a. 1:200 b. 1:500 c. 1:1000 d. 1:100

2. Standard sheet sizes for mechanical plans and drawings shall be based on a width to length
ratio of
a. 1: sqrt (2) b. 1:sqrt(3) c. 1:3 d. 1:2

3. For commercial and industrial buildings, work rooms (referring to maintenance shop and
machine room) shall be at least _______ height from floor to ceiling.
a. 3 000 mm b. 2 000 mm c. 5 000 mm d. 4 000 mm

4. For guyed steel stacks, the angle between the stack and guy wire is usually
a. 30º b. 45 º c. 60 º d. 75 º

5. It is a heavy wheel which by its inertia assists in securing uniform motion of machinery by
resisting sudden changes of speed.
a. cartwheel b. flywheel c. motor d. shaft

6. The extension of piston rod passing through a stuffing box in the outside area of
an engine cylinder, compressor cylinder or pump cylinder.
a. tail rod b. pin c. hub d. sprocket

7. Type A sprocket has

a. one hub c. no hub
b. two side hubs d. bolted hubs

8. The reciprocating machine part within a cylinder is called

a. ram c. slide mandrel
b. plunger d. all of the above

9. Fixed-mounted or movable hood guards covering the length of run of power chains.
a. coupling guards c. belt guards
b. chain guards d. hood guards

10. A boom type mobile crane mounted on endless tracks or thread belts.
a. gantry crane c. locomotive crane
b. jib crane d. crawler crane

11. A mechanical contrivance for raising or lowering a load.

a. crane b. hoist c. rope d. chain

12. A horizontal arm for supporting a trolley or fall blocks which does not change its inclination
with the horizontal.
a. clevis b. boom c. hood d. jib
13. One hand signal for crane movement arm extended, palm down, hold position rigidly.
a. stop b. lower c. hoist d. swing boom

14. Two hand signal for crane movement hold both arms horizontally at sides fully extend and
move upward & return.
a. stop b. lower c. hoist d. swing boom

15. In elevator systems, a device designed to stop a descending car or counterweight beyond

its lowest limit of travel.
a. bumper b. buffer c. dumbwaiter d. hoist way

16. The minimum factor of safety for suspension wire rods with 1 500 feet per min (fpm)
passenger elevator.
a. 7.6 b. 9.5 c. 10 d. 11.9

17. A closed vessel in which steam or vapor is generated at a pressure of more than 1.055
kg/cm2 gage by direct application of heat.
a. portable boiler c. locomotive boiler
b. miniature boiler d. power boiler

18. Method of testing boiler integrity that uses x-rays to generate & record on film the
imperfections or defects in the boiler tube material & welds.
a. metallurgical replication c. vacuum testing
b. ultrasonic thickness gauging d. radiographic testing

19. In the fire protection, class of fire in ordinary combustible materials such as cloth paper,
rubber & many plastics.
a. Class A b. Class B c. Class C d. Class D

20. An underground formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yield
significant quantities of water.
a. aquifer b. water table c. porous layer d. well

21. Pipe color for acetylene.

a. yellow b. green c. orange d. red

22. In metrology, it is a device used to determine whether the part has been made to the
tolerance required and does not usually indicates a specific dimension.
a. bevels c. gage
b. dial indicator d. trammel

23. In manufacturing, process of making molds for the plastic and die casting industries.
a. intraforming c. infiltration
b. swaging d. hobbing

24. A copper-silicon alloy available in five slightly different nominal compositions

for applications which require high strength, good fabricating, & fusing qualities.
a. inconel c. everdur
b. monel d. babbit

25. In instrumentation, it is a device whose function is to pass on information in an unchanged

form or in some modified form.
a. programmable logic controller (PLC) c. pilot light
b. controller d. relay

SOURCE: THE PHILIPPINE MECHANICAL CODE (FORMERLY PSME CODE) CODE 2003
EDITION

More mechanical engineering board exam review materials on the succeeding posts. Please
subscribe to receive alerts whenevel new reviewers are posted.

Source: Machinery's Handbook

Topic: Strength of Materials, Springs and Wire Ropes

Answers in RED.

1. These washer type springs can sustain relatively large loads with small deflections, and
the loads and deflections can be increased by stacking the springs.
a. Volute springs
b. Torsion bars
c. Belleville
d. Flat springs

2. These springs are often used on army tanks and heavy field artillery, and seldom find
additional uses because of their high cost, long production time, difficulties in manufacture, and
unavailability of a wide range of materials and sizes
a. Volute springs
b. Torsion bars
c. Belleville
d. Flat springs

3. These springs are often used to overcome operating space limitations in various products
such as electric switches and relays.
a. Volute springs
b. Torsion bars
c. Belleville
d. Flat springs

4.The ______ of a wire rope is the direction of the helical path in which the strands are laid and,
similarly, the lay of a strand is the direction of the helical path in which the wires are laid.
a. lay
b. Strand Construction
c. stranding
d. ley

5. In ______, the wires and strands are laid in the same direction.
a. regular lay
b. alternate lay
c. lang lay
d. double lay

6. In a wire rope designation 6 X 7, the first number stand for.

a. nominal diameter of the wire rope (in mm)
b. diameter of each strand (in mm)
c. wires per strand,
d. number of strands

7. 6 X 7 class of wire rope is also known as...

a.Standard Hoisting Rope
b.Extra Flexible Hoisting Rope
c.Standard Coarse Laid Rope
d. Special Flexible Hoisting Rope

8. 6 X 19 class of wire rope is also known as...

a.Standard Hoisting Rope
b.Extra Flexible Hoisting Rope
c.Standard Coarse Laid Rope
d. Special Flexible Hoisting Rope

9. 8 X 19 class of wire rope is also known as...

a.Standard Hoisting Rope
b.Extra Flexible Hoisting Rope
c.Standard Coarse Laid Rope
d. Special Flexible Hoisting Rope

10. _____ type of wire rope core is used for small ropes such as sash cord and aircraft cord.
a. Asbestos cores
b. Fiber
c. Cotton
d. wire-strand core

1.______is a number indicating how many times a certain volume of a material is heavier than
an equal volume of water
a.specific ratio
b.density
c.Specific gravity
d.Avogadro's Number

2._______an instrument for determining the density of liquids, provided with graduations made

to an arbitrary scale
a.hygrometer
b.hydrometer
c.weighing scale
d.sphygmomanometer

3. Stainless steels generally contain at least _______ chromium, with or without other elements
a.40%
b.30%
c.20%
d.10%

4.______ is type of stainless steel that is nonmagnetic in the annealed condition, although some
may become slightly magnetic after cold working
a.austenitic
b.hematite
c.martensitic
d.ferritic

5. ______ grades of stainless steel are always magnetic and contain chromium but no nickel.
a.austenitic
b.hematite
c.martensitic
d.ferritic

6. _______ grades of stainless steel are magnetic and can be hardened

by quenching and tempering.
a.austenitic
b.hematite
c.martensitic
d.ferritic

7.The steel is heated to a temperature above the critical range, after which it is cooled in still air
to produce a generally fine pearlite structure. The purpose is to promote
uniformity of structure and properties after a hot-working operation such as forging or extrusion.
a. Stress Relieving
b. Spheroidize Annealing
c. Annealing
d. Normalizing

8. This process reduces internal stresses, caused by machining, cold working, or welding, by
heating the steel to a temperature below the critical range and holding it there long enough
to equalize the temperature throughout the piece.
a. Stress Relieving
b. Spheroidize Annealing
c. Annealing
d. Normalizing

9. This is a special form of annealing that requires prolonged heating at an appropriate

temperature followed by slow cooling in order to produce globular carbides, a structure
desirable for machining, cold forming, or cold drawing, or for the effect it will have on
subsequent heat treatment.
a. Stress Relieving
b. Spheroidize Annealing
c. Annealing
d. Normalizing

10. The steel is heated to a temperature above or within the critical range, then cooled at a
predetermined slow rate (usually in a furnace) to produce a coarse pearlite structure. This
treatment is used to soften the steel for improved machinability; to improve or restore ductility
for subsequent forming operations; or toeliminate the residual stresses and microstructural
effects of cold working.
a. Stress Relieving
b. Spheroidize Annealing
c. Annealing
d. Normalizing

Plant Engineering. These questions are modified for the purpose of improvement. Answers (and
probably solutions) will be posted here soon.

1. An automobile tire is inflated to 32psig pressure at 50 degree F. After being driven, the
temperature rises to 75 degree F. Determine the final gage pressure assuming the volume
remains constant. (Electrical Engineering Board Exam Problem)
a. 34.3psig
b. 49 psig
c. 19.6 psig
d. 32.3 psig

2. Four hundred cubic centimeters of gas at a pressure of 740 mmHg absolute and temperature

of 18 degree C undergoes a process until the pressure and temperature becomes 760 mmHg
absolute and 0 degrees C respectively. Calculate the final volume of the gas. (Electrical
Engineering Board ExamProblem)
a. 351 cc
b. 371 cc
c. 365 cc
d. 375 cc

3. A single acting air compressor with a clearance of 6% took air at atmospheric pressure and

temperature of 85 degrees F, discharges it at a pressure of 85 psia. Assuming that the
compression is isentropic, find the piston displacement per cycle and the air power (hp) of the
compressor if the RPM is 750. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1978)
a. Vd=1.03 cu.m/cycle, Power =96 hp
b. Vd=1.516 cu.m/cycle, Power = 90hp
c. Vd=1.03 cu.ft/cycle, Power=96 hp
d. Vd=1.516 cu.ft/cycle, Power = 90hp

4. Steam enters turbine stage with an enthalpy of 3628 kJ/kg at 70m/s and leaves the same
stage with an enthalpy of 2846 kJ/kg and velocity of 124 m/s. calculate the work done by the
steam. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1986)
a. 778.6 kJ/kg
b. 776.8 kJ/kg
c. 766.8 kJ/kg
d. 788.6 kJ/kg

5. In an air standard Otto cycle, the clearance volume is 18% of the displacement volume. Find
the thermal efficiency? (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1993)
a. 52%
b. 55%
c. 60%
d. 53%

6. A reversed Carnot cycle is used for cooling. The input work is 12kW, while the COP is 3.8.
Calculate the refrigerating effect in TOR. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)
a. 15.4
b. 12.97
c. 9.65
d. 10.6

7. The compression ratio of a standard gasoline engine is 8. The heat added is 1850kJ/kg. If the
initial pressure and temperature are 100Kpa and 25 degrees C respectively, determine the
temperature at the end of isentropic expansion. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)
a. 1368 
b. 969
c. 1452
d. 1147

8. What is the logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD) of a double pipe counterflow
heatexchanger if the fluid enters at 90 degrees C and exits at 50 degrees C. Inside the inner
pipe, another fluid enters at 20 degrees C and exits at 60 degrees C. (Mechanical
Engineering Board Exam)
a. 0
b. 30
c. 75
d. 35

9. The volume of concrete needed for the foundation of an engine is 12 cubic meters. The
concrete mixture is 1:3:5 by volume. Calculate the number of 40 kg bags of cement needed
considering the density of cement to be 1500kg/cu.m. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)
a. 60
b. 55
c. 45
d. 50

10. A 305mm x 457mm four stroke single acting diesel engine is rated at 150 kW at 260 rpm.
Fuel consumption at rated load of 0.26 kg/kw-hr with a heating value of 43912 KJ/kg. Calculate
the brake thermal efficiency. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1990)
a. 31.63%
b. 41.63%
c. 21.63%
d. 35.63%

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QUESTION: Machine Design Set-1 posted on this blog last Saturday, November 14, 2009.

Again, I want to stress out that most of the questions here are modified from its original form for
the purpose of improving the question.

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 1

A 4 inches diameter short shaft carrying 2 pulleys close to the bearings transmits how much
horsepower if the shaft makes 120 rpm.

A.200HP               B. 199 HP

C.198 HP              D. 202 HP

P = (D3N )/38 -- for mula for short shafts from PSME code

P = (4)3(120)/38

P= 202 HP 

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 2

An instrument that measures the hardness of the work piece in terms of elasticity.
a. Durometer 

b. Scleroscope

c. Mohs's Scale

d. Brinell Tester

Source: Machinery’s Handbook

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 3

A cylindrical tank with 15 in inside diameter contains oxygen gas at 3000 psi. Calculate the
required wall thickness in (mm) under stress of 25,000 psi.

A.11.44mm                    B. 22.86mm

C.15.36mm                    D. 15.86mm

S = PD/2t -- thin walled vessel formula

25000=3000(15)/2t

t=0.9 in x 25.4 = 22.86 mm

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 4

The minimum clearance allowed for meshing spur gears with a circular pitch of 0.1571 and
diametral pitch of 20. The spur gear has 25 teeth.

A. 0.003578                       B. 0.007855 

C. 0.007558                       D. 0.007585

Clearance = 0.1571/Pd

= 0.1571/ 20

= 0.007855

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 5

SAE steel that responds to heat treatment:

A.SAE 1060              B.SAE 1030

C.SAE 1117              D.SAE 1020

The principle is: the more carbon content, the more responsive to heat treatment the steel
would be. 

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 6

The differential of the shear equation is which one of the following:
A. load of the beam                         B. slope of the elastic curve

C. bending moment of the beam       D. tensile strength of the beam

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 7

To reduce cost in the manufacturing of large worm gears the materials to utilize:

A. alloyed aluminum rim with cast iron spider

B. bronze rim with cast steel spider

C. cast iron rim with bronze spider

D. all of these

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 8

8. The _____ test is used for determining the hardness of metallic materials consists in applying
a known load to the surface of the material to be tested through a hardened steel ball of known
diameter.

a. Shore

b. Vicker

c. Brinell

d. Rockwell

Source: Machinery's Handbook

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 9

It is hardening treatment whereby a cast metal is being heated to a very temperature then
suddenly subjected to rapid cooling to improve hardness is called:

A. normalizing                        B. quenching

C. tempering                          D. annealing

Source: Design of Machine Elements by V. M Faires

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 10

Determine the estimated weight of an A-36 steel plate of size 3/16 x 5 x 15.

A. 515 lbs                              B. 625 lbs

C. 485 lbs                              D. 575 lbs

Density of steel = 0.284 Ib/in3

Weight = (3/16) (5x 12) (15 x 12) (0.284) = 575 lbs

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 11
Split pulley or pulley made of separate section bolted together at the rim, the maximum speed
should be limited to about _____% of the maximum speed of solid pulley,

A. 45 to 50%                   B. 65 to 70% 

C. 55 to 60%                   D. 80 to 90%

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 12

Killed steel is very much associated with:

A. manganese                  B. phosphorous

C. sulphur                        D. silicon

Sulfur is the most commonly used deoxidizer for steels.

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 13

It is a measure of the ease with which a crack progresses through a material from an existing
notch, crack, or sharp corner.

A. Creep Rate

B. Brittleness

C. Notch sensitivity

D. Moh's Scale

Source: Machinery's Handbook

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 14

Calculate the estimated weight of a steel plate size 1/4 x 5 x 8.

A. 480 kg                  C. 100 kg

B. 186 kg                 D. 409 kg

Weight = (1/4) (5x 12) (8 x 12) (0.284) = 575 lbs/2.2 = 186 kg

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 15

A type of welding whereby a wire or powder from the nozzle of a spray gun is fuse gas flame,
arc or plasma jet and the molten particles are projected in form of a spray by means of
compressed air or gas.

A. electro-slug building                    B. plasma-arc welding

C. electro-beam welding                 D. metal spray welding

Source: PSME Code

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 16

Heating of metal above the critical temperature and then cooling slowly usually furnace to
reduce the hardness and improve the machinability is called:
A. normalizing                                 B. tempering

C. annealing                                    D. quenching

Source: Design of Machine Elements by V. M. Faires

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 17

Accident prevention is:

A. an association of employers, organization and individuals

B. a job of a safety engineer

C. the foreman's responsibility just as much as production

D. the responsibility of top management

Accident prevention is everybody’s responsibility.

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 18

Major component of bronze casting:

A. copper                              B. zinc

C. manganese                        D. lead

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 19

Commonly utilized/cheapest shaft material available in the market with carbon cont 0.28 to
0.34% C.

A. SAE 4140                        B. SAE 1030

C. SAE 1117                        D. SAE 4130

Past Mechanical Engineering Board Exam Question Number 20

20. Continuing changes in dimensions of a stressed material over time is called ____.

A. Aging

B. Embrittlement

C. Creep

D. Deformation

Source: Machinery’s Handbook

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Here's the answers to the questions posted on the last article.

1. The measure of how effective a boiler is in transferring heat from furnace to the water and
steam.
Answer: C. Boiler efficiency

2. A heat exchanger used to remove dissolved air in water?

Answer:b. Deaerator

3. A state of water where the quantity of steam and liquid water is indistinguishable.
Answer: a. Critical point
Reference: p.62, Thermodynamics 6th.Ed., Faires and Simmang

4. A power plant that harness energy from the difference in temperature between the depths of
the ocean.
Answer: a. OTEC
OTEC stands for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion

5. The most efficient thermal cycle.

Aswer: d. Carnot Cycle
Making a square shape when plotted to the T-s diagram, Carnot Cycle is by far the most
efficient thermal cycle.

6. A steam power plant that take a portion steam from turbine stages and use them to heat the
water prior to its entry to the boiler.
Answer: b. Regenerative power plant
reference: p.238, Thermodynamics 6th.Ed., Faires and Simmang

7. The amount of heat needed to raise one gram of water by 1 degree Celcius.

Answer: c. Calorie

8. What isotope of Uranium is capable of atomic fission and therefore can be used as a fuel in
nuclear power plants.
Answer: c. U-235

9. A hypothetical body capable emitting all its energy by radiation.

Answer: d. Black body
Reference: p.62, Thermodynamics 6th.Ed., Faires and Simmang

10. When the stack of the furnace emits a black smoke, it indicates that...
Answer: b. The amount of air used in burning the fuel is not enough

11. The difference between the steam temperature and its boiling temperature at a given
pressure.
Answer: a. Degree superheat
Reference: p.61, Thermodynamics 6th.Ed., Faires and Simmang

12. The percentage of steam in a liquid water-steam mixture system is often referred to as
Answer: b. Quality
Reference: p.61, Thermodynamics 6th.Ed., Faires and Simmang

13. What do you call a water on its liquid form when it’s temperature is below its saturation
temperature at given pressure.
Answer: c. Subcooled liquid
This can be a little tricky since "subcooled liquid" and "compressed liquid" states are identical.
The BEST answer though is "subcooled liquid" because the question is referring to the
temperature. On the other hand, if the question refrences the pressure, the answer

14. In a PV chart, what is the area below the process curve?

Answer: b. Work non-flow
Integral of pdV is work non-flow.

15. It is measure of the amount of matter present in a body and contains the Avogadro’s number
of particles.
Answer: d. Mole
Mole is the amount of substance that contains the Avogadro's number (6.022E23) particles.
Reference: p.17, Thermodynamics 6th.Ed., Faires and Simmang

16. The amount of energy used to change the temperature of a body.

Answer: a. Sensible heat
When there is no change in temperature (during changes in phase) the heat used is called
Latent Heat.

17. An instrument used to determine the heating value of a fuels.

Answers: a. Calorimeter or d. Bomb calorimeter
Both a and d can be the correct answer, but d is more specific.

18. The work produced by the turbine is a…

Answer: d. Work steady flow
Turbine is an open system so the work produced is work steady flow.

19. The process occurring in heat exchangers are ideally…

Answer: c. Isobaric
All heat exchagers operates at contant pressure (ideally).

20. The entropy- enthalpy diagram of water is also known as…

Answer: a. Mollier chart
Reference: p.72, Thermodynamics 6th.Ed., Faires and Simmang

I have here some of the most frequently appearing types of "elements" on the subject of power
and industrial plant engineering. Answers will be provided after a week.
These questions were based on previous board examination and was reworded and modified
but it carries the same thought as the actual questions.

Instruction: Choose the BEST answer.

1. The measure of how effective a boiler is in transferring heat from furnace to the water and
steam.
A. Coefficient of heat transfer
B. Boiler conductivity
C. Boiler efficiency
D. Furnace efficiency

2. A heat exchanger used to remove dissolved air in water?

a. Condenser
b. Deaerator
c. Reheater
d. Boiler

3. A state of water where the quantity of steam and liquid water is indistinguishable.
a. Critical point
b. Absolute zero
c. Boiling point
d. Freezing point

4. A power plant that harness energy from the difference in temperature between the depths of
the ocean.
a. OTEC
b. Geothermal plant
c. Hydroelectric plant
d. Wave power plant

5. The most efficient thermal cycle.

a. Rankine cycle
b. Otto Cycle
c. Diesel Cycle
d. Carnot Cycle

6. A steam power plant that take a portion steam from turbine stages and use them to heat the
water prior to its entry to the boiler.
a. Reheat steam power plant
b. Regenerative power plant
c. Rankine cycle power plant
d. Dual Cycle power palnt

7. The amount of heat needed to raise one gram of water by 1 degree Celcius.

a. British Thermal Unit (BTU)
b. Therm
c. Calorie
d. Joules
8. What isotope of Uranium is capable of atomic fission and therefore can be used as a fuel in
nuclear power plants.
a. U-238
b. U-239
c. U-235
d. U-236

9. A hypothetical body capable emitting all its energy by radiation.

a. Brown body
b. Gray body
c. White Body
d. Black body

10. When the stack of the furnace emits a black smoke, it indicates that...
a. The fuel used is black
b. The amount of air used in burning the fuel is not enough
c. The amount of air used is excessive
d. There’s no presence of air

11. The difference between the steam temperature and its boiling temperature at a given
pressure.
a. Degree superheat
b. Delta temperature
c. Heat differential
d. Critical difference

12. The percentage of steam in a liquid water-steam mixture system is often referred to as.
a. Quantity
b. Quality
c. Moisture
d. Vapor quantity

13. What do you call a water on its liquid form when it’s temperature is below its saturation
temperature at given pressure.
a. Compressed liquid
b. Superheated steam
c. Subcooled liquid
d. Supercooled liquid

14. In a PV chart, what is the area below the process curve?

a. Work steady flow
b. Work non-flow
c. Heat applied
d. Internal energy

15. It is measure of the amount of matter present in a body and contains the Avogadro’s number
of particles.
a. kilogram
b. mass
c. enthalpy
d. Mole

16. The amount of energy used to change the temperature of a body.

a. Sensible heat
b. Latent heat
c. Heat of liberation
d. Calorific value

17. An instrument used to determine the heating value of a fuels.

a. Calorimeter
b. Flue gas analyzer
c. Indicator chart
d. Bomb calorimeter

18. The work produced by the turbine is a…

a. Non-flow work
b. Flow work
c. Brake work
d. Work steady flow

19. The process occurring in heat exchangers are ideally…

a. Isothermal
b. Isometric
c. Isobaric
d. Adiabatic

20. The entropy- enthalpy diagram of water is also known as…

a. Mollier chart
b. Rankine chart
c. Carnot chart
d. Indicator chart

Here are the solutions to board problems given at Power Subject Set-1. If you do not
understand anything, feel free to write a comment voicing out your concern. I'm still looking for
better ways to present my solution. I still don't know how to present equations and mathematical
symbols with blogger. Please bear with me.

1. An automobile tire is inflated to 32psig pressure at 50 degree F. After being driven, the
temperature rises to 75 degree F. Determine the final gage pressure assuming the volume
remains constant. (Electrical Engineering Board Exam Problem)

Solution:
Since volume is constant, use Charles’ Law on constant volume processes.
P1/T1=P2/T2
Note: P and T should be absolute.

(32+14.7)/ (50+460) =P2/ (75+460)

P2=48.99 psia

Converting back to gage pressure,

P2g=48.99-14.7

P2g=34.29 psig
2. Four hundred cubic centimeters of gas at a pressure of 740 mmHg absolute and temperature
of 18 degree C undergoes a process until the pressure and temperature becomes 760 mmHg
absolute and 0 degrees C respectively. Calculate the final volume of the gas. (Electrical
Engineering Board Exam Problem)

Since all the parameters (temperature, pressure and volume) changes, use combined gas law

PV/T=constant

P1V1/T1=P2V2/T2

(740)(400)/(18+273)=(760)V2/(0+273)

V2=365.3 cc

3. A single acting air compressor with a clearance of 6% took air at atmospheric pressure and
temperature of 85 degrees F, discharges it at a pressure of 85 psia. Assuming that the
compression is isentropic, find the piston displacement per cycle and the air power (hp) of the
compressor if the RPM is 750. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1978)
(I haven't got this correct yet, LOL)

4. Steam enters turbine stage with an enthalpy of 3628 kJ/kg at 70m/s and leaves the same
stage with an enthalpy of 2846 kJ/kg and velocity of 124 m/s. calculate the work done by the
steam. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1986)

Solution:

Just like the 90% of all thermo problems, this one can be solved using the first law of
thermodynamics.

Ein=Eout

H1+KE1=H2+KE2+W

W=(H1-H2)+(KE1-KE2)

W=(3628-2846)+(70^2/1000-124^2/1000)
W=776.5 76J/kg

5. In an air standard Otto cycle, the clearance volume is 18% of the displacement volume. Find
the thermal efficiency? (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1993)

Solution: 

e = 1-1/rk^(k-1)

rk = (1+c)/c = (1+.18)/0.18 = 6.556

e = 1-1/(6.6556)^(1.4-1)=.53
e=53%

6.A reversed Carnot cycle is used for cooling. The input work is 12kW, while the COP is 3.8.
Calculate the refrigerating effect in TOR. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)

Solution:

COP=Refrigerating Effect/Compressor Work

Refrigerating Effect = COP (Comp Work)

RE=3.8(12kW)(1Tor/3.516kW)=12.97TOR

7. The compression ratio of a standard gasoline engine is 8. The heat added is 1850kJ/kg. If the
initial pressure and temperature are 100Kpa and 25 degrees C respectively, determine the
temperature at the end of isentropic expansion. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)

Solution:

Rk=8

Qa=1850kJ/kg

P1=100kPa

T1=25+273=298K

From the given compression ratio, rk=8

rk=V1/V2=8

T2/T1=(V1/V2)^(k-1); k of air is 1.4

T2=((8)^(1.4-1))(298)

T2=684.62K

Process 2 -3 is constant volume

Qa=cv(T3-T2) ; cv for air is 0.7186 kJ/kg-K

1850=(.7186)(T3-684.62)

T3=3259.07K

Process 3-4 is isentropic expansion,

V4/V3=rk

(V4/v3)^(k-1)=(T3/T4)

T4 = 3259.07/((8)^(1-1.4))

T4 = 1418.6K

t = 1145.6 deg C

8. What is the logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD) of a double pipe counterflow
heat exchanger if the fluid enters at 90 degrees C and exits at 50 degrees C. Inside the inner
pipe, another fluid enters at 20 degrees C and exits at 60 degrees C. (Mechanical Engineering
Board Exam)

Solution:
Since you will get zero when you use the conventional LMTD version, use the arithmetic mean
temperature difference (AMTD) instead.

AMTD=((90-60)+(50-20))/2=30

9. The volume of concrete needed for the foundation of an engine is 12 cubic meters. The
concrete mixture is 1:3:5 by volume. Calculate the number of 40 kg bags of cement needed
considering the density of cement to be 1500kg/cu.m. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)

Solution:

This is actually just a mixture problem in algebra:

If the mixture is 1:3:5 by volume, then the volume of cement is

(1/(1+3+5))(12 cu.m)=1.33 cu.m

We will use the cement density given to calculate the mass equivalent of this volume.

m = density(Volume)

m = 1500 (1.33) =2000 kgs

To calculate the number of 40-kg cement sacks, 

Sacks=(2000kg)(1sack/40kg)

Sacks=50 sacks

10. A 305mm x 457mm four stroke single acting diesel engine is rated at 150 kW at 260 rpm.
Fuel consumption at rated load of 0.26 kg/kw-hr with a heating value of 43912 KJ/kg. Calculate
the brake thermal efficiency. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1990)

Eb=Brake Power/Heat Input

Brake Power= 150kW

Heat Input=(Fuel mass)(Heating Value)

Fuel mass=(150kw)(0.26kg/kw-hr)

Fuel mass=39kg/hr

Heat Input=(39)(43912) =1712568kJ/h =475.71 kW

Eb=(150)/(475)=31.53%

Below are the answers to the question on the POWER Set-I Questions taken from prevous engineering
board examination.

1. An automobile tire is inflated to 32psig pressure at 50 degree F. After being driven, the temperature
rises to 75 degree F. Determine the final gage pressure assuming the volume remains constant.
(Electrical Engineering Board Exam Problem)
a. 34.3psig

2. Four hundred cubic centimeters of gas at a pressure of 740 mmHg absolute and temperature of 18
degree C undergoes a process until the pressure and temperature becomes 760 mmHg absolute and 0
degrees C respectively. Calculate the final volume of the gas. (Electrical Engineering Board Exam
Problem)
c. 365 cc

3. A single acting air compressor with a clearance of 6% took air at atmospheric pressure and
temperature of 85 degrees F, discharges it at a pressure of 85 psia. Assuming that the compression is
isentropic, find the piston displacement per cycle and the air power (hp) of the compressor if the RPM is
750. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1978)
c. Vd=1.03 cu.ft/cycle, Power=96 hp

4. Steam enters turbine stage with an enthalpy of 3628 kJ/kg at 70m/s and leaves the same stage with an
enthalpy of 2846 kJ/kg and velocity of 124 m/s. calculate the work done by the steam. (Mechanical
Engineering Board Exam 1986)
b. 776.8 kJ/kg

5. In an air standard Otto cycle, the clearance volume is 18% of the displacement volume. Find the
thermal efficiency? (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1993)
d. 53%

6. A reversed Carnot cycle is used for cooling. The input work is 12kW, while the COP is 3.8. Calculate
the refrigerating effect in TOR. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)
b. 12.97

7. The compression ratio of a standard gasoline engine is 8. The heat added is 1850kJ/kg. If the initial
pressure and temperature are 100Kpa and 25 degrees C respectively, determine the temperature at the
end of isentropic expansion. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)
d. 1147

8. What is the logarithmic mean temperature difference (LMTD) of a double pipe counterflow heat
exchanger if the fluid enters at 90 degrees C and exits at 50 degrees C. Inside the inner pipe, another
fluid enters at 20 degrees C and exits at 60 degrees C. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)
b. 30

9. The volume of concrete needed for the foundation of an engine is 12 cubic meters. The concrete
mixture is 1:3:5 by volume. Calculate the number of 40 kg bags of cement needed considering the density
of cement to be 1500kg/cu.m. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam)
d. 50

10. A 305mm x 457mm four stroke single acting diesel engine is rated at 150 kW at 260 rpm. Fuel
consumption at rated load of 0.26 kg/kw-hr with a heating value of 43912 KJ/kg. Calculate the brake
thermal efficiency. (Mechanical Engineering Board Exam 1990)
a. 31.63%