Department of EEE

ME8792 POWER PLANT ENGINEERING LTPC

3003
OBJECTIVE:
• Providing an overview of Power Plants and detailing the role of Mechanical Engineers
in their operation and maintenance.
UNIT I COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS 9
Rankine cycle - improvisations, Layout of modern coal power plant, Super Critical Boilers,
FBC Boilers, Turbines, Condensers, Steam & Heat rate, Subsystems of thermal power plants –
Fuel and ash handling, Draught system, Feed water treatment. Binary Cycles and Cogeneration
systems.
UNIT II DIESEL, GAS TURBINE AND COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANTS 9
Otto, Diesel, Dual & Brayton Cycle - Analysis & Optimisation. Components of Diesel and Gas
Turbine power plants. Combined Cycle Power Plants. Integrated Gasifier based Combined
Cycle systems.
UNIT III NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS 9
Basics of Nuclear Engineering, Layout and subsystems of Nuclear Power Plants, Working of
Nuclear Reactors : Boiling Water Reactor (BWR), Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), CANada
Deuterium- Uranium reactor (CANDU), Breeder, Gas Cooled and Liquid Metal Cooled
reactors. Safety measures for Nuclear Power plants.
UNIT IV POWER FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY 9
Hydro Electric Power Plants – Classification, Typical Layout and associated components
including Turbines. Principle, Construction and working of Wind, Tidal, Solar Photo Voltaic
(SPV), Solar Thermal, Geo Thermal, Biogas and Fuel Cell power systems.
UNIT V ENERGY, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF POWER
PLANTS 9
Power tariff types, Load distribution parameters, load curve, Comparison of site selection
criteria, relative merits & demerits, Capital & Operating Cost of different power plants.
Pollution control technologies including Waste Disposal Options for Coal and Nuclear Power
Plants.
TOTAL: 45 PERIODS
OUTCOMES:
Upon the completion of this course the students will be able to
CO1 Explain the layout, construction and working of the components inside a thermal power
plant.
CO2 Explain the layout, construction and working of the components inside a Diesel, Gas and
Combined cycle power plants.
CO3 Explain the layout, construction and working of the components inside nuclear power
plants.
CO4 Explain the layout, construction and working of the components inside Renewable energy
power plants.
CO5 Explain the applications of power plants while extend their knowledge to power plant
economics and environmental hazards and estimate the costs of electrical energy production.
TEXT BOOK:
1. Nag. P.K., "Power Plant Engineering", Third Edition, Tata McGraw – Hill Publishing
Company Ltd., 2008.
REFERENCES:
1. El-Wakil. M.M., "Power Plant Technology", Tata McGraw – Hill Publishing Company Ltd.,
2010.
2. Godfrey Boyle, "Renewable energy", Open University, Oxford University Press in
association with the Open University, 2004.
3. Thomas C. Elliott, Kao Chen and Robert C. Swanekamp, "Power Plant Engineering", Second
Edition, Standard Handbook of McGraw – Hill, 1998.

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UNIT-I COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS

PART - A
1. What are the processes of Rankine cycle?
Process 1-2: Adiabatic expansion of steam (in turbine)
Process 2-3: Constant pressure heat rejection (in condenser)
Process 3-4: Isentropic compression (in pump)
Process 4-1: Heating at constant pressure (in boiler)

2. Draw the layout of coal based thermal power plant.

3. What are the types of boilers?

Types of Boilers: Fire tube boiler, Water tube boiler, Packaged boiler, Fluidized Bed
Combustion Boiler, Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustion Boiler, Pressurized
Fluidized Bed Combustion Boiler, Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion Boiler, Stoker
Fired Boiler, Pulverized Fuel Boiler.
4. Why thermal power plants are not suitable for supplying fluctuating loads.
The change in load demand requires corresponding change in the output energy. In the
thermal plants thermal energy is produced by burning of coal and hence there is always
a large time lapse between the change in energy at output and input, which is not
desirable and hence these power stations are used only as base load stations, supplying
constant power.
5. What is the function of the boiler and turbine?
• The main function of a boiler is to heat water to generate steam. Steam produced in
a boiler can be used for a variety of purposes including space heating, sterilisation,
drying, humidification and power generation.
• Turbines convert the kinetic energy of a moving fluid or gas into rotational energy
that can be used to drive a dynamo and generate electricity. Usually, the source of
the kinetic energy is steam, although it can sometimes be water.
6. What is called superheated steam?
Superheated steam is a steam at a temperature higher than its vaporization (boiling) point
at the absolute pressure where the temperature is measured.
7. What are the super critical boilers?
A supercritical steam generator is a type of boiler that operates at supercritical pressure,
frequently used in the production of electric power. In contrast to a subcritical boiler, a
supercritical steam generator operates at pressures above the critical pressure (3,200 psi
or 22 MPa ) in which bubbles can form.

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8. Define FBC.
A fluidized bed may be defined as the bed of solid particles behaving as a fluid. It
operates on the principal that when an evenly distributed air is passed upward through a
finely divided bed of solid particles at low velocity, the particles remain undisturbed, but
if the velocity of air flow is steadily increased, a stage is reached when the individual
particles are suspended in the air stream. If the air velocity is further increased, the bed
becomes highly turbulent and rapid mixing of particles occur which appear like
formation of bubbles in a boiling liquid and the process of combustion as a result is
known as fluidized bed combustion .
9. What is the necessity of feed pump in thermal power plant?
Boiler Feed Pump as the name suggests, finds application in boiler or reactor vessels to
feed water and also control the amount of water fed to the boiler. It has got significant
role in the operation of boilers.
10. Mention the various modern ash handling systems.
• Mechanical ash handling systems
• Hydraulic ash handling systems.
• Pneumatic ash handling systems
• Stem jet ash handling systems
11. What are the methods used for handling of coal?
• Transportation by sea (or) river
• Transportation by rail
• Transportation by road
• Transportation of coal by pipeline.
12. What is the function of cooling tower?
Cooling tower is used to control the temperature of water required for the plant. It reduces
the water consumption of the plant.
13. What are the requirements of a modern surface condenser?
• Uniform distribution of exhaust steam throughout the heat transfer surface of the
condenser.
• Absence of condensate sub cooling.
• There should not be any leakage of air into the condenser.
• There should not be any tube leakage.
• The heat transfer surface in contact with cooling water must be free from any deposit
as scaling reduces the efficiency of heat exchangers.
14. What are the processes of Binary cycle?
• Topping cycle [ mercury power cycle]
• Bottoming cycle [ steam power cycle]
15. What is pulverization?
It is the method of making the coal in the form of powder. Pulverization is done by
various types of pulverized mills.
16. What are the factors affecting cooling of water in cooling tower?
• Amount of water surface area exposed
• The time of exposure
• The relative velocity of air passing over the droplets
• The RH of air
• The direction of airflow relative to water.

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17. Draw the P-V, H-S and T-S diagram for Rankine cycle.

18. Draw a neat sketch of basic principle of FBC.

19. What is mean by Cogeneration systems?

Cogeneration or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is defined as the sequential
generation of two different forms of useful energy from a single primary energy source,
typically mechanical energy and thermal energy. Mechanical energy may be used either
to drive an alternator for producing electricity, or rotating equipment such as motor,
compressor, pump or fan for delivering various services.
20. Explain Reheat cycle.
• If the dryness fraction of steam leaving the turbine is less than 0.88, then, corrosion
and erosion of turbine blades occur. To avoid this situation, reheat is used.
• In the reheat cycle, the expansion of steam takes place in one (or) more-turbines.
Steam is expanded in the HP turbine first, and then it is reheated. The reheated steam
is again expanded in. the LP turbine.
PART – B & C
1. Draw the general layout of thermal power plant and explain the working of different
circuits. (APRIL/MAY 2018)
2. Explain the principle involved in preparation of coal and what are the methods of
preparation. (NOV/DEC 2017)
3. How ash is handled in the power plant? Explain the ash handling system. (APRIL/MAY
2018)
4. Explain the various draught systems with a neat sketch. (APRIL/MAY 2017)
5. What are the different types of cooling towers? Explain with a neat sketch. (APRIL/MAY
2016)
6. Explain the construction and working of any one High pressure boiler with a layout.
(NOV/DEC 2017)
7. Explain the reheat system and regeneration system of a thermal power plant.
(APRIL/MAY 2017)
8. Explain the water tube boiler and fire tube boiler with neat sketch. (APRIL/MAY 2015)
9. Draw an explanatory line diagram of an ash handling system employed in steam power
plants and also explain the difficulties encountered in the handling of ash in a thermal
power station. (NOV/DEC 2016)

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10. Draw a chart showing operations and devices used in coal handling plant. (NOV/DEC
2017)
11. Describe different types of coal conveyors. (APRIL/MAY 2015)

UNIT-II DIESEL, GAS TURBINE AND COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANTS

PART A
1. What are the applications of diesel engine power plant?
• They are quite suitable for mobile power generation and are widely used in
transportation
• systems consisting of railroads, ships, automobiles and aeroplanes.
• They can be used for electrical power generation in capacities from 100 to 5000 H.P.
• They can be used as standby power plants.
• They can be used as peak load plants for some other types of power plants.
• It is used to run the induced draft fans, forced draft fans. Boiler feed is required for the
larger steam power plants.
2. Draw the layout of Diesel power plant.

3. What is the purpose of air intake system in a diesel engine power plant?
The air intake conveys fresh air through pipes or ducts to
• Air intake manifold of four stroke engine.
• The scavenging pump inlet of a two stroke.
• The supercharger inlet of a supercharged engine.
4. What are the various types of cooling system used in diesel power plant?
• Air cooling system,
• Liquid cooling system
✓ Thermo-syphon cooling system,
✓ Forced or pump cooling system,
✓ Cooling with thermostatic regulator,
✓ Pressurized water cooling system, and
✓ Evaporative cooling system.
5. What is the commonly used fuel injection system in a diesel power station?
✓ Common rail injection system,
✓ Individual pump injection system,
✓ Distributor injection system.
6. What are the different types of Engines used in diesel power plants?
Two stroke diesel engines and four stroke diesel engines.
7. Mention any two drawbacks of a stationary gas turbine power plant for generation of
electricity.
• Major part of the work (66%) developed in the turbine is used to drive the
compressor. Therefore network output of the plant is low.

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• It requires special metals and alloys for different components because the operating
temperature (2000’C) and speed (100,000 rpm) are very high.
• Part load efficiency is poor compared to diesel plant.
8. What are the processes of Otto cycle?

Process 1-2: Isentropic compression

Process 2-3: Constant Volume Heat Addition
Process 3-4: Isentropic expansion
Process 4-1: Constant Volume Heat Rejection
9. What are the processes of diesel cycle?

Process 1-2: Isentropic (Reversible adiabatic) Compression

Process 2-3: Constant Pressure (Isobaric) Heat Addition
Process 3-4: Isentropic Expansion
Process 4-1: Constant Volume (Isochoric) Heat Rejection.
10. What are the processes of dual cycle?

Process 1→2, isentropic compression

Process 2→3, heat added at constant volume
Process 3→4, heat added at constant pressure
Process 4→5, isentropic expansion
Process 5→1, heat rejection at constant volume

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11. What are the processes of Brayton cycle?

1-2: isentropic compression

2-3: constant pressure energy addition
3-4: isentropic expansion
4-1: constant pressure energy rejection
12. What are the Components of Diesel Power plants?
• Engine
• Air Intake System
• Engine Starting system
• Fuel System
• Exhaust System
• Cooling System
• Lubricating System
13. What are the Components of Gas Turbine Power plants?

14. How the gas turbine blades are cooled?

The cooling of the gas turbine blades is essential for long life as it is continuously subjected
to high temperature gases. There are different methods of cooling the blades. The common
method used is the air-cooling. The air is passed through the holes provided through the
blade.
15. Discuss the effect of inter cooling in a gas turbine plant.
The intercooler is generally used in gas turbine plant when the pressure ratio used is
sufficiently large and the compression is completed with two or more stages. The cooling
of compressed air is generally done with the use of cooling water. A cross-flow type
intercooler is generally preferred for effective heat transfer.
16. Mention the advantages and disadvantages of a diesel power plant.
Diesel power plant has some of the following advantages,
1) Mobility as the prime mover is I.C Engine.
2) Able to use for peak load.
3) Less starts up time & easily can be located near the load centre.
It has also some of the disadvantages
1) Higher maintenance & lubrication cost.
2) The cost of diesel is very high compared to coal

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3) Noisier in operation.
4) The plant generally used to produce small power requirement.
17. What are the processes in combined cycle power plant?
The combined cycle of greatest interest is the gas-turbine (Brayton) cycle topping a steam-
turbine (Rankine) cycle, which has a higher thermal efficiency than either of the cycles
executed individually.

18. What are the advantages of combined cycle power plants?

• The efficiency of the combined cycle plant is better or higher than the turbine cycle or
steam cycle plant. The efficiency of combined cycle power plant will be of the order of
about 45 to 50%.
• fewer moving parts and less vibration than a reciprocating engine
• very low toxic emissions
• runs on a wide variety of fuels
• high operating speeds
19. What is the process in Integrated Gasifier based combined cycle power plant?
• The solid coal is gasified to produce syngas, or synthetic gas. Syngas is synthesized by
gasifying coal in a closed pressurized reactor with a shortage of oxygen.
• The shortage of oxygen ensures that coal is broken down by the heat and pressure as
opposed to burning completely. The chemical reaction between coal and oxygen
produces a product that is a mixture of carbon and hydrogen, or syngas.
• The heat from the production of syngas is used to produce steam from cooling water
which is then used for steam turbine electricity production.
• The syngas must go through a pre-combustion separation process to remove CO2 and
other impurities to produce a more purified fuel.
20. What are the advantages of Integrated Gasifier based combined cycle power plants?
• The performance of an IGCC is compared to the highly efficient Natural gas
fired combined cycle.
• It is considerably higher than the conventional coal fired power plants.
• The biggest advantage of the IGCC is its capability to use a wide range of coals and
other fuels.
• More components, more heat exchangers increase maintenance costs and outage times.

PART B&C
1. Explain in detail about Otto cycle and processes with p-V and T-s diagrams. (NOV/DEC
2015)
2. Explain in detail about diesel cycle. (APRIL/MAY 2015)
3. Explain in detail about dual cycle. (NOV/DEC 2013)

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4. Explain in detail about Brayton cycle. (APRIL/MAY 2013)

5. Why is the Brayton cycle most suitable for gas turbine power? (APRIL/MAY 2015)
6. Draw and explain the layout of a modern diesel power plant showing the following
systems: Air Intake system, Cooling system, Fuel supply system, Lubrication system and
Exhaust system. (APRIL/MAY 2016)
7. Explain the Gas turbine power plant with neat sketch. Discuss the advantages of gas turbine
power plant. (APRIL/MAY 2016, NOV/ DEC 2017)
8. With p-v & t-s diagram explain the effect of intercooling, reheating& regeneration in a gas
turbine plant (APRIL/MAY 2017, NOV/DEC 2013)
9. Give the classification of gas turbine power plants. (APRIL/MAY 2016)
10. Give the advantages and disadvantages of open cycle gas turbine power plant.
(APRIL/MAY 2014)
11. Draw and explain the layout of a Combined Cycle Power Plant. (APRIL/MAY 2016)
12. Draw and explain the layout of an Integrated Gasifier based Combined Cycle Power Plant.
(APRIL/MAY 2017, NOV/DEC 2013)

UNIT-III NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

PART A

1. What are the advantages of nuclear power plant?

• Space requirement of a nuclear power plant is less as compared to other conventional
power plants are of equal size.
• There is increased reliability of operation.
• Nuclear power plants are not affected by adverse weather conditions.
• Nuclear power plants are well suited to meet large power demands.
2. What are the three moderators used in nuclear power plants?
Graphite, heavy water and beryllium are generally used as moderator.
3. Explain the function of nuclear reactor.
A nuclear reactor, formerly known as an atomic pile, is a device used to initiate and control
a sustained nuclear chain reaction. Nuclear reactors are used at nuclear power plants for
electricity generation and in propulsion of ships. Heat from nuclear fission is passed to a
working fluid (water or gas), which runs through steam turbines.
4. What is nuclear fusion?
Nuclear fusion is a process where two or more nuclei combine to form an element with a
higher atomic number (more protons in the nucleus). Fusion is the reverse process of nuclear
fission.
5. What is nuclear fission?
Nuclear fission is either a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the
nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts (lighter nuclei). The fission process often
produces free neutrons and gamma photons, and releases a very large amount of energy
even by the energetic standards of radioactive decay.
6. State the fuels used in nuclear power plants.
Fuel of a nuclear reactor should be fissionable material which can be defined as an element
or isotope whose nuclei can be caused to undergo nuclear fission by nuclear bombardment
and to produce a fission chain reaction. It can be one or all of the following U233, U235 and
Pu239.
7. What are the conditions satisfied to sustain nuclear fission process?
• The neutrons emitted in fission must have adequate energy to cause fission of another
nucleus.
• The number of neutrons produced must be able not only to sustain the fission process
but also to increase the rate of fission.
• The fission process must liberate the energy.
• It must be possible to control the rate of energy liberation

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8. List down the basic factors those are to be considered for the design of a nuclear
power reactor.
• Neutrons energy
• Type of fuel
• Type of coolant
• Type of moderators
• Construction of core.
9. State the advantages of fast breeder reactors.
• No moderator is required
• High breeding is possible
• Better fuel utilization
• Absorption of neutrons is low
• High efficiency in the order of 40% can be obtained
10. What is a ‘CANDU’ reactor?
The CANDU reactor (short for CANada Deuterium Uranium) is a Canadian-developed,
pressurized heavy water reactor used for generating electric power. The acronym refers to
its deuterium-oxide (heavy water) moderator and its use of (originally, natural) uranium
fuel.
11. What are the requirements of fission process?
• The neutrons emitted in fission must have adequate energy to cause fission of other
nuclei.
• The number of neutrons produced must be able not only to sustain the fission process
but also to increase the rate of fission.
• The fission process must liberate the energy.
12. What is “half-life” of nuclear fuels?
Radioactive materials emit radiation on a typical timescale known as a half-life. Over time
they become less and less radioactive in a process known as exponential decay. Most nuclear
fuel consists of material with a very long half-life, such as uranium-235 (over seven hundred
million years).
13. Explain the properties of moderators.
✓ It must be as light as possible It must slowdown the neutron as quick as possible
✓ It must have resistance to corrosion
✓ It must have good machinability
✓ It must have good conductivity and high melting point
14. Distinguish between PHWR and LMFBR.

PHWR LMFBR
It requires moderator It does not require moderator
Low power density uses larger vessel. High power density uses small core
Low metal surface temperature High metal surface temperature
Handling of coolant is easy Handling of coolant is difficult
15. Define the term “Breeding”.
In fast breeder reactor, the process of producing energy to self-sustain nuclear fission chain
reaction without using moderator is known as breeding. Enriched Uranium(U 235) or
Plutonium is used as fuels which are surrounded by a thick blanket of fertile Uranium (U238).
16. What are the components of pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant?
• Reactor
• Pressuriser
• Heat exchanger
• Coolant pump
17. How the nuclear reactors are classified?
• Pressurised water reactor

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• Boiling water reactor

• Gas cooled reactor
• Fast breeder reactor
• Heavy water cooled and moderated type reactor or CANDU reactor
18. What are the essential components of a nuclear reactor?
• Reactor core
• Moderator
• Control rods
• Reflector
• Cooling systems
• Reactor vessel
• Biological shielding
19. Name the coolants commonly used for fast breeder reactors.
Liquid metal (Na (or) Na K), Helium (He), Carbon dioxide.
20. What are the advantages of gas cooled reactor nuclear power plant?
• Fuel processing is simple
• The use of CO2 as coolant completely eliminates the possibility of explosion in reactor.
• No corrosion problem

PART B & C
1. Explain the construction and working of Nuclear power plant with a layout. (MAY/JUNE
2016)
2. Explain the working of a typical fast breeder nuclear reactor power plant, with neat
diagram. (MAY/JUNE 2017)
3. What are the difference between a pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant and
boiling water reactor nuclear power plant? (NOV/DEC 2016)
4. Explain the following terms: Fission of nuclear fuel, Distribution of fission energy, the
chain reaction. (MAY/JUNE 2014)
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of breeder reactor? (NOV/DEC 2016)
6. With the help of a sketch show all the important part of nuclear reactor. Describe briefly
the functions of each part. (NOV/DEC 2017)
7. Explain the difference between controlled and uncontrolled nuclear chain reaction.
(NOV/DEC 2014)
8. Explain the importance of nuclear waste management. (APRIL/MAY 2013)
9. What are the Safety measures for Nuclear Power plants? (NOV/DEC 2013)
10. Explain the Gas Cooled and Liquid Metal Cooled Reactors. (NOV/DEC 2016)
11. Explain the Canada Deuterium- Uranium reactor (CANDU). (APRIL/MAY 2013)
12. Write detailed notes on following: Boiling water reactor, Gas cooled reactor.
(APRIL/MAY 2015)

UNIT-IV POWER FROM RENEWABLE ENERGY

Part A
1. On what a factor does the selection of a water turbine for hydel plants depends upon?
Water availability, Water storage, Water head, various geological invention, Environmental
aspects, Consideration of water pollution effects
2. What is known as binding energy?
Binding energy is the energy required to disassemble a whole system into separate parts.
A bound system typically has a lower potential energy than the sum of its constituent parts;
this is what keeps the system together. Often this means that energy is released upon the
creation of a bound state. This definition corresponds to a positive binding energy.
3. Enumerate the advantages and disadvantages of hydropower plants.
• Advantages:
✓ The fuel cost is totally absent

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✓ Water is cheapest source of energy. The fuels needed for the thermal, diesel and
nuclear plants are exhaustive and expensive.
• Disadvantages
✓ Hydro power projects are capital intensive with a low rate of return
✓ Initial cost of plant is high.
✓ Power generation is dependent on the quantity of water available which may vary
season to season and year to year.
4. What is surge tank?
The surge tank is used to provide better regulation of water pressure in the system. The
surge tank controls the water when the load on the turbine decreases and supplies water
when the load on the turbine increases. Thus, surge tank controls the pressure variations
resulting from the rapid changes in water flow in penstock and hence prevents water
hammer.
5. Classify the hydro-electric turbines with respect to head.
• Low head power plant
• Medium head power plant
• high head power plant
6. What are the three main factors of power output of hydroelectric plant?
• Water head,
• Water flow rate or discharge,
• Specific speed of turbine
7. What are the main parts of pelton wheel?
Penstock, Spear and nozzle, Runner with buckets, Brake nozzle
8. What is the function of spear & nozzle?
Movement of the spear and the axis of the nozzle changes the annular area between the
spear and the housing. The shape of the spear is such, that the fluid coalesces into a circular
jet and then the effect of the spear movement is to vary the diameter of the jet. Deflectors
are often used along with the spear valve to prevent the serious water hammer problem due
to a sudden reduction in the rate of flow.
Nozzles are frequently used to control the rate of flow, speed, direction, mass, shape, and/or
the pressure of the stream that emerges from them. In nozzle velocity of fluid increases on
the expense of its pressure energy.
9. What do you understand by water hammer?
A water hammer commonly occurs when a valve closes suddenly at an end of a pipeline
system, and a pressure wave propagates in the pipe. It is also called hydraulic shock.
10. What is the basis of classification of turbines?
• Based on type of energy at inlet to the turbine:
✓ Impulse Turbine ,Reaction Turbine
• Based on direction of flow of water through the runner:
✓ Tangential flow, Radial outward flow, Axial flow, Mixed flow
• Based on the head under which turbine works:
✓ High head, Medium head,Low head,
• Based on the specific speed of the turbine:
✓ Low specific speed, Medium specific speed, High specific speed.
11. What is a solar cell?
A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is an electrical device that converts the energy of light
directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect, which is a physical and chemical
phenomenon.

12. What are the advantages and limitations of tidal power plant?
Advantage:
• It is an inexhaustible source of energy.

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• Tidal energy is environment friendly energy and doesn't produce greenhouse

gases.
• As 71% of Earth’s surface is covered by water, there is scope to generate this
energy on large scale.
• We can predict the rise and fall of tides as they follow cyclic fashion.
Disadvantage:
• Cost of construction of tidal power plant is high.
• There are very few ideal locations for construction of plant and they too are
localized to coastal regions only.
• Intensity of sea waves is unpredictable and there can be damage to power
generation units.
• Influences aquatic life adversely and can disrupt migration of fish.
13. What are the components of Tidal power plants?
The dam or dyke, Sluice ways, power house
14. What is a fuel cell?
A fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity
through a chemical reaction of positively charged hydrogen ions with oxygen or
another oxidizing agent.
15. What is geothermal energy?
Geothermal energy is the heat from the Earth. It is renewable source of energy derived from
the rain water in the earth heated to over 1800C by subterranean hot rocks.
16. What are the applications of geothermal energy?
• Generation of electric power
• Space heating for buildings.
• Industrial process heat.
17. What are the important criteria while selecting the geothermal energy?
• Temperature of geothermal fluid, 0C
• Discharge rate, m3/day
• Useful life of production well, years
• Mineral contents, gram/m3
18. What are the different types of geothermal fluid and give its temperature range?
• Dry steam- steam turbine cycle
• Hot water, temperature > 1800C- steam turbine cycle
• Hot water, temperature < 1500C- binary cycle
• Hot brine (pressurised) – binary cycle
• Hot brine (flashed) – special turbines
- Impact turbine
- Screw expander
- Bladeless turbine.

PART B & C
1. With a neat sketch explain in detail the construction and working principle of hydro -electric
power plant. (APRIL/MAY 2012, APRIL/MAY 2015)
2. Explain in detail about surge tank used in hydroelectric power plant. Also explain about the
classification and selection of dams. (APRIL/MAY 2014)
3. What are the factors to be considered while selecting the site of a hydro power plant?
(APRIL/MAY 2013)
4. Explain the selection factors of a hydraulic turbine .What are the function of a hydraulic
turbine? (NOV/DEC 2015)
5. Explain the construction and working of Geo thermal power plant. (APRIL/MAY 2016)
6. What are the different types of Tidal power plants? (NOV/ DEC 2016)
7. Explain the Solar thermal central receiver system. (MAY/ JUNE 2016)

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8. What are the different types of ocean thermal energy conversion system? (APRIL/MAY
2012)
9. Explain with a neat diagram of wind electric generating power plant. (NOV/DEC 2014)
10. Explain in detail about the various types of Wind energy system. (MAY/JUNE 2013)

UNIT-V ENERGY, ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES OF POWER

PLANTS
Part A
1. Define demand factor.
It is the ratio of actual maximum demand of the system to the total connected demand of
the system.
2. Define load factor.
It is the ratio of average load over a given time interval to the peak load during the same
time interval.
3. What is load curve?
It is a graphical representation which shows the power demands for every instant during a
certain time period.
4. Draw the load duration curve.
The load duration curve reflects the activity of a population quite accurately with respect
to electrical power consumption over a given period of time.

5. What is tariff?
Tariff is the rate of energy sold to the consumers depends on the type of consumers as
domestic, commercial and industrial. It depends upon the total energy consumed and load
factor of the consumer.
6. How can we calculate the cost of electricity?
General type of tariff can be represented by equation 𝑧 = 𝑎. 𝑥 + 𝑏. 𝑦 + 𝑐,
Where, z is total amount of bill for the period, x is maximum demand in kW, y is energy
consumed in kW-hr during the period, a is rate per kW of maximum demand, b is energy
rate per kW-hr, c is constant amount charged to the consumer during each billing period.
This charge is independent of the demand or total energy because a consumer that remains
connected line incurs expenses even if he does not use energy.
7. What is two part tariff?
In this tariff the total charges are based on the maximum demand and energy consumed. It
is expressed as 𝑧 = 𝑎. 𝑥 + 𝑏. 𝑦
A separate meter is required to record the maximum demand. This tariff is used for
industrial loads.
Where z = Total amount of bill for the period considered.
a = Rate per kW of maximum demand.

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x = Maximum demand in kW.

b = Energy rate per kW-hr.
y = Energy consumed in kW-hr during the given period.
8. How to improve the power factor?
• Minimize operation of idling or lightly-loaded motors.
• Avoid operation of equipment above its rated voltage.
• Power factor is also significantly affected by variations in load.
9. What is the capital cost of power plant?
The capital cost of power plant is including cost of Land, Building, Equipment, Installation
of Machine and Design and planning
10. What is operating cost?
The elements that make up the operating expenditure of a power plant include the following
costs : Cost of fuels, Labour cost, Cost of maintenance and repairs, Cost of stores (other
than fuel), Supervision and Taxes.
11. What is meant by depreciation?
Depreciation accounts for the deterioration of the equipment and decrease in its value due
to corrosion, weathering and wear and tear with use. It also covers the decrease in value of
equipment due to obsolescence.
12. What is the various operating cost of coal fired steam power plant?
The operating cost (includes the purchasing cost of coal feedstock, maintenance and labour,
insurance and cost of power associated with boiler feed water pumps and condensate
extraction pumps for running the thermal power plant) is considered to be paid annually
over the lifespan of the coal-fired power plant.
13. List the components of fixed cost.
It includes Initial cost of the plant, Rate of interest, Depreciation cost, Taxes, and Insurance.
14. What is the significance of two part tariff and three part tariff?
Two Part tariff: When the rate of electrical energy is charged on the basis of maximum
demand of the consumer and the units consumed it is called two-part tariff.
✓ In this type, the total charge to be made from the consumer is split into two
components.ie, fixed charges and running charges.
✓ The fixed charges depend upon the number of units consumed by the customer.
Three part Tariff: When the total charges to be made from the consumer is split into three
parts, fixed charge, semi fixed charge and running charge, it is known as three-part tariff.
✓ This type of tariff is applied to big consumers. The principle objection of this type
of tariff is the charges are split into three components ( fixed charge, charge per kW
of maximum demand, charge per kWh of energy consumed)
15. What are the criteria for site selection of power plant?
✓ Availability of Raw materials
✓ Nearness to Potential market
✓ Supply of Labour, Transportation facilities
✓ Availability of Utilities : Water, Fuel, Power, Suitability of Climate & Land
✓ Local Community Considerations , Political Strategic Considerations
✓ Environmental Impact, And Effluent Disposal.
PART B & C
1. What do you understand by power plant economics? Explain the fixed costs and operating
costs of a power station. (MAY/JUNE 2016)
2. What is cost of electrical generation? What are the various types of cost associated with
power generation? (MAY/JUNE 2014)
3. What is a tariff? Discuss and compare various tariff used in practice. (APRIL/MAY 2012)
4. Explain the term depreciation and discuss various methods of calculating the depreciation
of an electrical plant. (APRIL/MAY 2012)
5. What are load curves and load duration curves? Discuss their utility in the economics of
generation. (NOV/DEC 2013)

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6. A generating stations as a maximum demand (MD) of 15 MW and the daily load curve on
the station is as follows, 10pm to 05 am 2500 KW 01pm to 04pm 10000KW 05am to 07
am 3000KW 04pm to 06pm 12000KW ,07pm to 11am 9000KW 06 pm to 08pm 15000KW
11am to 01pm 6000KW 08pm to 10pm 5000KW Determine the size and the number of
generator units, plant load factor, plant capacity factor, use factor and reserve capacity of
plant. (NOV/DEC 2016), (APRIL/MAY 2013)
7. Explain the pollution control technologies including waste disposal options for coal power
plant. (NOV/DEC 2016), (MAY/JUNE 2017)
8. Explain in detail Capital & Operating Cost of different power plants. (MAY/JUNE 2016)
9. Explain the pollution control technologies including waste disposal options for nuclear
power plant. (MAY/JUNE 2016)
10. Write short notes on site selection criteria. Explain its merits and demerits. (APRIL/MAY
2013), (NOV/DEC 2016)

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