Power

Systems Operation and Control Interview questions

by Editorial Staff

What is load curve?
The curve drawn between the variations of load on the power station with reference to time is known as
load curve. There are three types, Daily load curve, Monthly load curve, Yearly load curve

What is daily load curve?
The curve drawn between the variations of load with reference to various time period of day is known as
daily load curve.

What is monthly load curve?
It is obtained from daily load curve. Average value of the power at a month for a different time periods
are calculated and plotted in the graph which is known as monthly load curve.

What is yearly load curve?
It is obtained from monthly load curve which is used to find annual load factor.

What is connected load?
It is the sum of continuous ratings of all the equipment’s connected to supply systems.

What is Maximum demand?
It is the greatest demand of load on the power station during a given period.

What is Demand factor?
It is the ratio of maximum demand to connected load. Demand factor= (max demand)/ (connected load)

What is Average demand?
The average of loads occurring on the power station in a given period (day or month or year) is known as
average demand.

Daily avg demand = (no of units generated per day)/ (24 hours) Monthly avg demand = (no of units
generated in month)/ (no of hours in a month)

Yearly avg demand = (no of units generated in a year)/ (no of hours in a year)

What is Load factor?
The ratio of average load to the maximum demand during a given period is known as load factor.
Load factor = (average load)/ (maximum demand)

What is Diversity factor?
The ratio of the sum of individual maximum demand on power station is known as diversity factor.
Diversity factor = (sum of individual maximum demand)/(maximum demand).

What is Capacity factor?
This is the ratio of actual energy produced to the maximum possible energy that could have been
produced during a given period.
Capacity factor= (actual energy produced)/ (maximum energy that have been produced)

What is Plant use factor?
It is the ratio of units generated to the product of plant capacity and the number of hours for which the
plant was in operation.
Units generated per annum= average load * hours in a year

What is Load duration curve?
When the load elements of a load curve are arranged in the order of descending magnitudes the curve
then obtained is called load duration curve.

What is the major control loops used in large generators?
The major control loops used in large generators are 1.automatic voltage regulator (AVR) 2.automatic
load frequency control (ALFC).

What is the use of secondary loop?
A slower secondary loop maintains the fine adjustment of the frequency, and also by reset action
maintains proper MW interchange with other pool members. This loop is insensitive to rapid load and
frequency changes but focuses instead on drift like changes which take place over periods of minutes.

What is the adv of AVR loop over ALFC?
AVR loop is much faster than the ALFC loop and therefore there is a tendency, for the AVR dynamics to
settle down before they can make themselves felt in the slower load frequency control channel.

What is the diff.between large and small signal analysis?
Large signal analysis is used where voltage and power may undergo sudden changes of magnitude that
may approach 100 percent of operating values. Usually this type of analysis leads to differential equations
of non-linear type. Small signal anaysis is used when variable excursions are relatively small, typically at
most a few percent of normal operating values.

What is the exciter?
The exciter is the main component in AVR loop. It delivers the DC power to the generator field. It must
have adequate power capacity and sufficient speed of response (rise time less than 0.1 sec).

What is the function of AVR?
The basic role of the AVR is to provide constancy of the generator terminal voltage during normal, small
and slow changes in the load.

Explain about static AVR loop?
In a static AVR loop, the execution power is obtained directly from the generator terminals or from the
station service bus. The AC power is rectified by thyristor bridges and fed into the main generator field via
slip rings. Static exciters are very fast and contribute to improved transient stability.

Write the static performance of AVR loop?
The AVR loop must regulate the terminal |V| to within required static accuracy limit. Have sufficient speed
of response. Be stable.

What is the dis.adv of high loop gain? How is to be eliminated?
High loop gain is needed for static accuracy but this causes undesirable dynamic response, possibly
instability. By adding series AND/OR feedback stability compensation to the AVR loop, this conflicting
situation can be resolved.

What are the effects of generator loading in AVR loop?
Added load does not change the basic features of the AVR loop, it will however affect the values of both
gain factor Kf and the field constant. High loading will make the generator work at higher magnetic
saturation levels. This means smaller changes in |E| for incremental increases in if, translating into the
reduction of KF. the field time constant will likewise decreases as generator loading closing the armature
current paths. This circumstance permits the formation of transient stator currents the existence of which
yields a lower effective field induction.

What are the functions of ALFC?
The basic role of ALFC’s is to maintain desired MW output of a generator unit and assist in controlling the
frequency of large interconnection. The ALFC also helps to keep the net interchange of power between
pool members at predetermined values. Control should be applied in such a fashion that highly differing
response characteristics of units of various types are recognized. Also unnecessary power output changes
should be kept at a minimum in order to reduce wear of control valves.

Specify the dis.adv of ALFC loop?
The ALFC loop will main control only during normal changes in load and frequency. It is typically unable to
provide adequate control during emergency situations, when large MW imbalances occur.

How is the real power in a power system controlled?
The real power in a power system is being controlled by controlling the driving torque of the individual
turbines of the system.

What is the need for large mechanical forces in speed-governing system?
Very large mechanical forces are needed to position the main valve against the high stream pressure and
these forces are obtained via several stages of hydraulic amplifiers

Plant Operator Questions

1. For which position you have applied? Shift Engineer, CCR Operator or Plant Operator?

2. What is your education/experience? Relate to suitability for the position?

3. Mention the plant areas/ systems where you have actually worked?

4. What major operating concerns/problems did you face during your current/previous
assignment?

5. What does a Plant Operator should do to add value/ make reliable the plant operations?

6. What type of logs you maintain in your plant areas?

7. Do you have any experience of operating plant from PLC display or any other type of HMI?

8. What type of fuel handling facility do you have at your plant? What are problems
associated with its operation? Gas processing/handling

9. What do you know about gas turbine? What is the difference between gas turbine and
steam turbine? Thermal Cycle etc?

10. What are different sections of gas turbine?

11. What is function of bleed valves?

12. How cooling of different stages of gas turbine are performed?

13. Did you bleed valves and inlet guide vanes?

14. What are the pre-start checks for a gas turbine?

15. What observations you make while taking a walk round of the gas turbine?

16. What are the pre-start checks for the steam turbine?

17. What are the important operations performed on the steam header before starting a
steam turbine?

18. What is gland steam system? How does it work?

19. What is vacuum system? How does it work?

20. How do you change a lube oil filter? What are precautions?

21. How does an HRSG make steam? How does a conventional boiler make steam?

22. What are the different chemicals used for boiler water/steam chemistry?

23. What are different types of lay ups (boiler preservations)?

24. What are different types of boiler drum level control? Why we use three element
control?

25. How does a cooling tower work? What are the different types of losses in a cooling
tower?

26. How does the cooling tower performance affect the plant performance?

27. What are the chemicals used for injecting in cooling tower water?

28. What are different techniques used to demineralize water?

29. What is working principle of cation, anion and mixed bed? How these are regenerated?

30. What are operational problems with Demin plants?

31. What are the chemicals used for regeneration?

32. What is the working principle of an RO Plant?

33. What are the operational problems with an RO plant?

34. What are the different chemicals used in RO plant operation? What is their purpose?

35. How does an electrical generator work? What is an AVR? What is field breaker?

36. What types of outputs are generated by an electrical generator?

37. What type of breaker is used at different voltage levels?

38. What are electrical protections for generator?

39. What is the difference between a power transformer and an auxiliary transformer?

40. What is UPS? Why it is so much important?

41. Why we note the operating hours of air compressors every day?

42. What needs to be considered before staring a large centrifugal pump?

43. Do you have hands on experience of racking out/racking in breakers and applying
earths?

44. What is the interlocking between an earth switch and an isolator?

45. In case of black out what mush be checked on the gas and steam turbines?

46. What type of training did you get regarding fire fighting?

47. What is difference between Hazard and Risk? What are PPEs? What is Near Miss?

48. What is JSA (A job safety analysis)?

49. What is MSDS? What type of permits you use on your plant? What is Confined Space?
What is Hot Work?

50. What we need to check when we enter the battery room?

51. How will you handle a contractor labor not following rules, using improper PPEs?

52. Is house keeping part of your culture?

53. Manual handling? Working on heights?

54. How do you keep busy yourself in the shift? What is your secret to keep yourself awake?

55. Are you willing to work as Plant Operator? Why do you want to switch to the same
position of Plant Operator?

56. Do you have aim to go to the next position? What you will do for this? Do you think you
need to work in the Plant Operator position as this suits your nature?


CCR Operator

1. What is the position you have applied for, if we ask you to work as Plant Operator shall
you accept our offer?

2. How many people in your opinion should control the 2+1 CCPP from CCR?

3. How many operators work in your CCR?

4. Did you work on DCS system? How does this system work?

5. What are three major challenges for a CCR Operator?

6. What are the major problems in operating the plant at your existing employer’s site?

7. Your experience is not relevant? How will you fill up the gaps? Why are you looking for
this transition?

8. What are the most critical parameters to watch when power plant is running?

9. A Gas Turbine failed to fire during start up, what could be different reasons that may
cause this problem?
10. What is gas turbine cooling? What is the source of cooling air for different stages?

11. What is Peak Load, Base Load and Peak Reserve Load? What is spinning reserve?

12. What are different protections of gas turbine?

13. What is compressor surge and what arrangements are there to avoid it?

14. What are the factors (Inside and Outside) that affect the GTG unit efficiency?

15. What is maintenance profile for gas turbine? What is CI, HGPI and MI?

16. How does unstable system parameters affect the synchronization of the units?

17. How the load on the unit increases with change of fuel? (Mechanical Energy and Electrical
Energy Relation)?

18. What is frequency droop? How does it affect the unit load with change in the system
frequency? (Up and Down)

19. What is reactive power, what are different options to control the reactive power? Why we
do not run the generator at high leading VARs?

20. What is generator capability curve? What are different limitations in loading of generator?

21. What are different protections of generator? Which one is the most critical? (You do not
start the generator without clearance?)

22. Name the different sections of HRSG? What is their function? Is there steaming in the
HRSG Economizer? If yes what will happen?

23. What is three element control for boiler drum? Why does boiler drum level change with
change in pressure? Shrink and Swell?

24. What are the different chemicals injected in the boiler/feed water/ condensate cycle?

25. What are the losses in the cooling tower? What are the chemicals that are injected in the
cooling tower?

26. What are different protections of steam turbine? (When do we check eccentricity,
differential expansion)?

27. Steam Turbine tripped during start up on vibration, what could be different reasons that
may cause this problem?

28. When does Exhaust Hood Temperature become high? At low load or at high load?
 29. What are different systems that impact the condenser vacuum and hence turbine efficiency?

30. What is Reverse Power and how does it affect the Steam Turbine and Gas Turbine in
comparison?

31. What is sub cooling? How does it affect the efficiency?

32. What is heat rate ? Tell the typical value? Tell equivalent efficiency?

33. Suggest the techniques for improving the power plant efficiency? (Water Washing,
Condenser cleaning, Inlet Cooling, FW/Condensate Heating, Acid Dew Point Limit)

34. What type of PTW system you have? Are there any flaws in it? What is your role in
isolations and normalization? Did you hear about RISSP?

35. What is ADC, how do you carry out the this test? What are different corrections?

36. How does a CCR Operator covers his shift engineer (in meeting)? What you need to learn
and do to become a Shift Engineer?

37. What is your role regarding coordination with the load dispatch center?

38. What is safety and what are safety systems? What is your role during isolations and
switching?

39. Do you see the CCR Operator as overall coordinator? Do you like this pilot’s job?


1. Question 1. Name The Four Major Circuits In Steam Power Plant?
Answer :
o Coal and ash circuit
o Air and flue gas circuit
o Feed water and steam circuit
o Cooling water circuit
2. Question 2. What Consists Of Air And Flue Gas Circuit?
Answer :
Air and flue gas circuit consists of forced draught fan, air preheater, boiler, furnace,
superheater, economizer, dust collector, induced draught fan and chimney
3. Question 3. What Consists Of Feed Water And Steam Flow Circuit In Steam Power?
Answer :
The feed water and steam flow circuit consists of feed pump, economizer boiler drum super
heater, turbine and condenser.
4. Question 4. What Consists Of Cooling Water Circuit And Coal & Ash Circuit In Steam
Power Plant?
Answer :
 The cooling water circuit consists of a pump, condenser and cooling tower. The coal and ash
circuit consists of coal delivery, preparation of coal, handling of coal to the boiler furnace, ash
handling and ash storage.
5. Question 5. What Is The Main Purpose Of The Reservoir?
Answer :
The main purpose of reservoir is to store water received from catchments areas during the
rainy seasons and supply the same during the dry season.
6. Question 6. What Is The Main Purpose Of The Dam?
Answer :
The main purpose of the dam is to increase the height of water level and also to increase the
working head of the hydraulic power plant.
7. Question 7. Why Trash Rack Is Used?
Answer :
The trash rack is used to prevent the entry of debris, which might damage the turbine runners
and chock up the nozzle of impulse turbine.
8. Question 8. What Is The Use Of Surge Tank?
Answer :
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.
9. Question 9. What Is The Function Of Forebay?
Answer :
Forebay is considered as naturally provided surge tank. It is temporary water storage when the
load on the plant is reduced and provides water for initial increment on increasing load.
10. Question 10. Explain About Penstock?
Answer :
The pipe between surge tank and prime mover is known as penstock. It is designed to
withstand high pressure. It is made up of reinforced concrete. In very cold areas, the penstock
is buried to prevent ice formation and to reduce the expansion joints.
11. Question 11. What Is The Use Of Spill Ways?
Answer :
Spillway is like a safety valve of the dam. It discharges major flood without damaging the
dam. It keeps the reservoir level below the maximum level allowed.
12. Question 12. Write About Prime Movers?
Answer :
Prime mover converts the kinetic energy of water into mechanical energy to produce
electrical energy. Pelton wheel, turbine, Francis turbine, Kaplan turbine and Propeller turbine
are prime movers used in hydraulic power plants.
13. Question 13. What Are The Uses Of Air Filter And Superchargers In Diesel Engine
Power Plant?
Answer :
 The purpose of air filter is to filter the air from dust and other suspended particles. The
purpose of super charger is to increase the pressure of the engine to increase power of the
engine.
14. Question 14. What Is The Use Of Draft Tube?
Answer :
The draft tube is used to regain the kinetic energy of water coming out of reaction turbine. It
enables the reaction turbine to be placed over tailrace level.
15. Question 15. What Is The Function Of Cooling System In Diesel Power Plant?
Answer :
The function of cooling system is to remove heat from the engine cylinder to keep the
temperature of the cylinder in low range and extend engine life.
16. Question 16. What Consists Of Lubrication System In Diesel Engine Power Plant?
Answer :
The lubrication system consists of oil pumps, oil tanks, filters, coolers and connecting pipes.
The purpose of the lubrication is to reduce the friction of moving parts and also pipes to
reduce the wear and tear of moving parts.
17. Question 17. What Is The Purpose Of Inter Cooler In Gas Turbine Power Plant?
Answer :
Since the power required compressing the air is less in isothermal process it is required to
maintain the, temperature of air constant as far as possible. Hence the air leaving the L.P.
compressor is cooled by intercooler and then passed to the H.P compressor.
18. Question 18. Name Two Combined Power Cycles?
Answer :
o Combined cycle of gas turbine and steam power plant.
o Combined cycle of gas turbine and diesel power plant.
19. Question 19. Define Turbo Charging In Combined Gas Turbine And Diesel Cycles?
Answer :
In the combined cycle, the exhaust gas from the diesel engine is expanded in the turbine,
which is coupled with compressor which supplies pressurized air to the diesel engine. This
increases diesel engine output. This arrangement is known as turbo charging.
20. Question 20. What Is The Main Purpose Of High-pressure Boilers?
Answer :
The high-pressure boilers are used to increase the efficiency of the plant and to reduce the
cost of electricity production.
21. Question 21. State Important Advantages Of High-pressure Boilers?
Answer :
o The amount of scale formation is less, since the velocity of water through pipes are
more.
o All parts of the system are heated uniformly, so there is no danger of overheating.
22. Question 22. Name Important High Pressure Boilers?
Answer :
o La Mont boiler
o Benson boiler
o Loeffler boiler
o Velox boiler.
23. Question 23. Write About La Mont Boiler? What Is The Major Disadvantage Of La
Mont Boiler?
Answer :
La Mont boiler is a forced circulation high pressure water tube boiler.
The major disadvantage is the formation of bubbles, salt and sediment on the inner surfaces of
the heating surfaces. This reduces the heat flow and steam generation.
24. Question 24. Write About Benson Boiler? State Some Important Advantages Of Benson
Boiler?
Answer :
Benson boiler is the high pressure, vertical fire tube boiler. This boiler has no drum and is
~designed to operate at critical pressure of 225 bars. Benson boiler has no drum.
So the total weight of the Benson boiler is reduced by 20%, when compared to other boilers.
The erection of Benson boiler is easier and quicker.
25. Question 25. Write About Loeffler Boiler?
Answer :
The major disadvantage in La Mont boiler is the deposition of salt and sediment on the inner
surface of the water tubes. It reduces the heat transfer and ultimately the steam generating
capacity.
In Loeffler boiler, this problem is solved by preventing water from flowing through the boiler
tubes. The steam is generated outside the tubes.
26. Question 26. Explain Reheat Cycle?
Answer :
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.
27. Question 27. What Are The Important Advantages Of Re Heating?
Answer :
o Due to reheating, network done increases.
o Heat supply increases.
o Thermal efficiency increases.
o Due to reheating, the turbine exit dryness fraction increases so moisture decreases
so blade erosion becomes minimum so life of the turbine will be increased.
28. Question 28. Name Different Methods Of Reheating?
Answer :
o Gas Reheating.
o Live stream reheating.
o Combined gas live steam reheater.
29. Question 29. Define Bleeding In Steam Power Plant?
Answer :
Assume I kg of steam is expanded in the turbine. Before complete amount of steam is
expanded, some amount of steam (m kg) is extracted ‘Extracting the steam in the turbine
before exhaust is called bleeding. This bled steam is used to heat the feed water.
30. Question 30. Explain The Term Regeneration?
Answer :
Regeneration means heating the feed water by steam taken from the turbine. The steam is
exhausted (bled) from the turbine at several locations before exhaust and is supplied to
regenerative (feed water heater) to heat the feed water.
31. Question 31. State Some Advantages Of Regeneration Cycle?
Answer :
o Heat supplied to boiler becomes reduced.
o Thermal efficiency is increased since the average temperature of heat addition to
the cycle is increased.
o Due to bleeding in the turbine, erosion of turbine due to moisture is reduced.
32. Question 32. Name Different Methods Used To Extract Steam For Heating The Feed
Water?
Answer :
o Direct contact heater
o Drain pump method
o All drains to hot well
o Cascade system
33. Question 33. Define The Term Waste Heat Recovery?
Answer :
Waste heat is the heat which is not at all used and exhausted out as a waste product. Waste
heat is normally available from the industry in the form of process steam and water at high
temperature.
Also, the waste heat is discharged with the exhaust gases in so many industries. This heat can
be recovered for useful purpose. This process is known as waste heat recovery.
34. Question 34. What Are The Waste Materials, Which Can Be Used For Fuel For Power
Generation?
Answer :
o Municipal waste.
o Industrial waste.
o Paper waste.
o Rubber waste.
35. Question 35. Write About Waste Heat Boilers?
Answer :
The waste heat boilers use the waste heat in gases coming out of diesel engines and gas
turbines at high temperature (or) use the waste as a fuel in the incineration.
Some boilers use the industrial dirty gases for power generation.
36. Question 36. Write About Fluidized Bed Boilers?
Answer :
When the high velocity gas is passed through a packed bed of finely divided solid particles,
the particles become suspended in the gas stream and the packed bed becomes a fluidized
bed. When the gas velocity is very high, the fluidized bed become turbulent and rapid mixing
of particles occurs. Ultimately, the, behaviour of mixture solid particles and gas become a
fluid. Burning of a fuel in such a state is known as Fluidized Bed Combustion. The boiler
plant using this fluidized bed combustion is known as fluidized bed boilers.
37. Question 37. State Some Advantages Of Fluidized Bed Boilers?
Answer :
o Any type of fuel solid, liquid (or) gaseous fuel (or) domestic and industrial waste
can be used in FBC system. Any type of combustible matter can be burned by
adjusting the factors as size, air velocity and rate of feed.
o High heat transfer rate is possible to the surfaces immersed in the bed, because
solid mixing is extremely possible.
o High combustion efficiency.
o The solid fuel need not be pulverized in fluidized bed boilers.
38. Question 38. Name The Two Types Of Coal Handling?
Answer :
o Out plant handling.
o In plant handling.
39. Question 39. Write About Out Plant Handling?
Answer :
Out plant handling includes the handling of coal mine to the thermal power plant. These
handlings are outside the plant in the following ways.
o Transportation by sea (or) river
o Transportation by rail
o Transportation by road
o Transportation of coal by pipeline.
40. Question 40. Write About In Plant Handling Of Coal?
Answer :
In order to handle large quantity of coal inside the plant, some mechanical handling systems
are provided f6r smooth, easy and better controlled operation. The implant coal handling is
divided, into following categories.
o Coal unloading
o Coal preparation
o Coal transfer
o Coal storage
41. Question 41. Why The Preparation Of Coal Is Necessary?
Answer :
The coal from coal nines cannot be directly fed into the furnace. Proper preparation of coal
should be done before feeding the coal to the furnace. In the coal preparation, the coal passes
through the different equipments like
o Crushers
o Sizers
o Dryers and Magnetic Separators.
42. Question 42. Name The Different Types Of Coal Transforming Equipment?
Answer :
o Belt conveyors
o Screw conveyors
o Bucket elevators
o Grab bucket elevators
o Skip hoists
o Flight conveyors.
 The coal transfer starts by carrying of coal from unloading point to the storage site.
43. Question 43. What Is The Use Of Belt Conveyors?
Answer :
Belt conveyors are mostly used for transporting coal over long distance with large quantity.
An endless belt is made to run over a pair of end drums and pulleys and supported by series of
roller at regular intervals.
44. Question 44. Write About Screw Conveyor And Bucket Conveyors?
Answer :
In screw conveyor, an endless helicoids screw is fitted to the shaft. On one end of the shaft,
the driving mechanism is fitted and the other end of the shaft is supported on a ball bearing.
While the screw is rotating, the coal is transferred` from one end to the other end.
Bucket conveyors are used as vertical lifts. The coal is loaded at the bottom and unloaded at
the top in the bucket conveyors.
45. Question 45. Define Draught, What Is The Use Of Draught In Thermal Power Plants?
Answer :
Draught is defined as a small pressure difference required between the fuel bed (furnace) and
outside air to maintain constant flow of air and to discharge the gases through chimney to the
atmosphere. Draught can be obtained by chimney, fan, steam jet (or) air jet (or) combination
of these.
46. Question 46. Write About Classification Of Draught?
Answer :
Draught is classified as:
o Natural draught
o Artificial draught
The artificial draught is further classified as:
o Steam jet draught
o Mechanical draught
o Induced draught
o Forced draught
47. Question 47. Define The Term Natural Draught And What Are The Advantages Of
Natural Draught System?
Answer :
The tall chimney creates the natural draught by the temperature difference between hot gases
in the chimney and cold atmospheric air outside the chimney.
The advantages are:
o No external power is required.
o Air pollution is less since gases are discharged at high level.
o No maintenance cost.
o Capital cost is less than artificial draught.
48. Question 48. Write About Artificial Draught?
Answer :
In modem power plants, the draught should be flexible to meet the fluctuating loads and it
should be independent of atmospheric conditions. To achieve this, the aid of draft fans
becomes must and by employing the draft fans, the height of the chimney would be reduced.
49. Question 49. Write About Forced Draught System?
 Answer :
In this system, the blower (forced draft fan) is located at the base of the boiler near the grate.
Air is forced to the furnace by forced fan and the flue gases are forced to chimney through
economizer and air preheater.
50. Question 50. What Are The Advantages Of Forced Draught System?
Answer :
o Since the fan handles cold air, the fan size and the power required are less.
o No need of water cooled bearings because the air being handled is cold air,
o Pressure throughout the system is above atmospheric pressure so the air leakage
into the furnace is reduced.
51. Question 51. How The Induced Draught Is Working?
Answer :
In an induced draught system, a blower (induced draft fan) is placed near (or) at the base of
the chimney. The fan sucks the flue gas from the furnace creating a partial vacuum inside the
furnace. Thus atmospheric air is induced to flow through the furnace to aid the combustion of
fuel. The flue gases drawn by the fan passes through chimney, to the atmosphere.
52. Question 52. Why The Balanced Draught System Is Preferred Than Other System?
Answer :
In the induced draught system, when the furnace is opened for firing, the cold airs enters the
furnace and dilate the combustion. In the forced draught system, when the furnace is opened
for firing, the high pressure air will try to blow out suddenly and furnace may stop.
Hence the furnace cannot be opened for firing (q) inspection in both, systems. Balanced
draught, which is a combination of induced and forced draught, is used to overcome the above
stated difficulties.
53. Question 53. What Is The Difference Between Stocker Firing And Pulverized Fuel
Firing?
Answer :
The stocker firing method is used for firing solid coal where as pulverized firing method is
used for firing pulverized coal.
54. Question 54. What Are The Different Types Of Stockers?
Answer :
Over feed stockers:
o Travelling grate stockers
o Spread stockers
Under feed stockers:
o Single retort stocker
o Multi retort stocker
55. Question 55. What Is The Use Of Pulveriser And Name Different Types Of Pulverising
Mills?
Answer :
The pulveriser is used to pulverise the coal in order to increase the surface exposure.
Pulverised coal enables rapid combustion.
The different types of pulverising mills are:
o Ball mill
o Hammer mill
 o Ball and race mill.
56. Question 56. Name The Two Methods Of Pulverized Fuel Firing System?
Answer :
o Unit (or) direct system.
o Bin (or) central system.
57. Question 57. What Are Advantages Of Unit (or) Direct System Of Pulverized Fuel
Firing?
Answer :
o The layout is simple and economical
o It gives direct control of combustion
o Coal transportation system is simple
o Maintenance cost is less
58. Question 58. How The Ash Handling System Is Classified?
Answer :
o Mechanical handling system
o Hydraulic system
o Pneumatic system
o Steam jet system
59. Question 59. Why Ash Handling System Is’ Needed?
Answer :
o To remove the ashes from the furnace ash hopper.
o To transport the ashes from furnace ash hopper to a storage.
o To dispose the ashes from the storage.
60. Question 60. Name Different Types Of Dust Collectors?
Answer :
1. Mechanical Dust collector:
o Gravitational separators
o Bag house dust collector
There are three types of bag house dust collector:
o Open pressure type
o Closed pressure type
o Closed suction type
2. Cyclone. Separators
3. Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP)
61. Question 61. What Is The Main Purpose Of Chimney?
Answer :
The main purpose of chimney is to emit the flue gases at a considerable height to avoid
nuisance to the surrounding people.
62. Question 62. What Are The Different Types Of Load Act On The Chimney?
Answer :
There are two types of loads acting on the chimney namely:
o Its own weight which is considered to as a single vertical force acting through the
centroid, and
o The Wind pressure, which is considered as the horizontal force acting on the
centroid of vertical projected area.
63. Question 63. Name Different Types Of Chimney?
 Answer :
o Steel chimney
o Site constructed chimney
o Plastic chimney
64. Question 64. Define Forced Draft And Induced Draft Cooling Towers?
Answer :
If the fan is located at the bottom of the tower and air is blown by the fan up through the
descending water it is called as forced draft cooling towers.
If the fan is located at the top of the tower and airs enters through the louvers located on the
tower’s side and drawn up and discharge through the fan casing, it is called as induced draft.
65. Question 65. What Are The Advantages Of Induced Draft Cooling Tower Over Forced
Draft Cooling Tower?
Answer :
o The outlet water comes in contact with the driest air and warmest water comes in
contact with most humid air.
o The re-circulation is seldom a problem.
o The first cost is low due to the reduction in pump power consumption.
66. Question 66. What Are The Advantages Of Hyperbolic Natural-draft Cooling Towers?
Answer :
o Since no fans are used power cost and auxiliary equipments cost is reduced.
o Hyperbolic tower chimney creates its own draft even when there is no wind.
o Ground fogging and warm air re-circulation are avoided in hyperbolic towers.
o The structure is more or less self-supported.
67. Question 67. What Are The Factors That Affect The Rate Of Evaporation Of Water In
Cooling Towers?
Answer :
o Amount of water surface area exposed.
o The time of exposure.
o The relative velocity of air passing over the droplets.
o The RH of air.
o The direction of airflow relative to water.
68. Question 68. What Is The Working Principle Of Cooling Towers?
Answer :
The hot water is sprayed from the top of the tower, while the air is made to flow from the
bottom of the tower to the top. This air cools the hot water in the cooling tower. Air
evaporates a small percentage of water, there by cooling the remaining water.
The air absorbs the heat and leaves at the top of the tower and cooled water leaves at the
bottom and recirculated to the condenser.
69. Question 69. Name Different Types Of Cooling Towers?
Answer :
The cooling towers are classified as follows.
According to the construction of material:
o Timber for small tower
o Ferro concrete for large capacity stations.
o Multi deck concrete towers for large steam stations
 o Metallic
According to the nature of air draught:
o Atmospheric (or) Natural draught cooling system
o Mechanical draught cooling tower.
70. Question 70. How The Atmospheric (or) Natural Draught Cooling Towers Are
Classified?
Answer :
In atmospheric (or) natural cooling towers, the natural air provides the required cooling
without the use of fans.
This is classified into three types:
o Natural draft spray filled towers.
o Natural draft packed type towers.
o Hyperbolic cooling towers.
71. Question 71. How Mechanical Draft Cooling Towers Are Classified?
Answer :
Mechanical draft cooling tower is classified into three types:
o Forced draft tower.
o Induced draft counterflow tower.
o Induced draft cross flow tower.
72. Question 72. How The Dry Type Cooling Towers Are Classified?
Answer :
The dry type cooling towers are classified into two types ‘as follows:
o Indirect dry type (or) Heller cooling system
o Direct dry type-cooling system
73. Question 73. What Are The Methods To Reduce The Effects Of Particulates?
Answer :
The effects of particulates can be reduced by the following methods.
o Coal cleaning.
o Using improved electrostatic precipitator design.
o Controlling the dust within allowable limit. This can be done by increasing the
height of chimney thereby reducing the concentration.
74. Question 74. What Are The Equipment Used For Ash Collection?
Answer :
o Electrostatic precipitator
o Fly ash scrubbers
o Cinder catcher
o Cyclone dust collector
75. Question 75. What Is Meant By ‘desulphurization’ And Name The Methods Adopted
For Desulphurization?
Answer :
Desulphurization of fuel is the process of reducing the sulphur content in the fuel. The
following methods are adopted for desulphurization.
o Chemical treatment
o Forth flotation
o Magnetic separation
76. Question 76. What Are The Methods Adopted To Remove’ S02 Flue Gases?
 Answer :
o Wet scrubbing
o Solid absorbent
o Catalytic oxidation
77. Question 77. Write About Co2 Recorders?
Answer :
In thermal power plants, it is necessary to keep the concentration Of CO2 is low is necessary
as possible. To achieve this, a constant recording of concentration Of CO2
These recorders are based on the three different principles, as given below.
o Thermal conductivity cell
o Chemical absorption cell
o Density balance
78. Question 78. Name Some Of The Automatic Controlling Methods For Feed Water?
Answer :
o Single element pilot operated system
o Single element self operated system
o Two element pilot operated system
o Three element pilot operated system
79. Question 79. What Is The Purpose Of Automatic, Combustion Control?
Answer :
The main purpose of automatic combustion’ control system is to maintain load against
demand, to prevent smoke, to increase boiler house efficiency, to carry out routine
adjustments and to provide interlocking safe guards.
80. Question 80. What Are The Appliances Known As Boiler Accessories?
Answer :
The appliances used to increase the efficiency of the boiler are known as boiler accessories.
The important boiler accessories are:
o Economizer
o Super heater
o Air preheater
o Feed pump
o Injector
81. Question 81. What Are The Methods Adopted To Remove So2 From Due Gases?
Answer :
o Wet scrubbing
o Solid adsorbent
o Catalytic oxidation
82. Question 82. What Is The Necessity Of Automatic Controls For Feed Water?
Answer :
The electrical load on power plant varies irregular manner. The automatic man control
provided at a steam power plant successfully meets over the variable load. The automatic
control for feed water is necessary sine the supply of feed water depends upon plant load.
83. Question 83. What Is The Use Of Air Preheater?
Answer :
 Air pre heater is used to transfer heat from the flue gases to the air before it passes into the
furnace for combustion. It is placed between the economizer and chimney. The overall
efficiency of the plant may be increased by 10 per cent by the use of air preheater.
84. Question 84. Write About Boiler Mountings?
Answer :
The devices used for the efficient operation, proper maintenance, and safe operation boiler
mountings.
The different boiler mountings are:
o Water gauge (or) water level indicator
o Pressure gauge (or) steam gauge
o Safety valves
o Fusible plug
o Stop valve
o Blow off cock
o Feed check valve.
85. Question 85. What Is Meant By Boiler Trial?
Answer :
Steam is generated in boilers under certain conditions of feed water and exists as steam while
a certain amount of fuel is burnt.
To study the performance of boiler, some experiments are conducted by operating, the boiler
for a certain length of time and recording the data. This procedure is known as boiler trial.
86. Question 86. State The Objective Of Boiler Trial?
Answer :
o To determine the thermal efficiency of the boiler when working at a definite
pressure.
o To draw up heat balance sheet for the boiler to check the performance of the boiler.
87. Question 87. Define Demand Factor?
Answer :
o Demand factor is defined as the ratio of maximum demand to connected load.
o Connected load is the sum of ratings in kW of equipment installed in the
consumer’s premises.
o Maximum demand is the maximum load, which a consumer uses at any time.
88. Question 88. Define Load Curve?
Answer :
Load curve is a graphical representation between load in kW and time in hours. It. shows
variation of load at the power station. The area under the load curve represents the energy
generated in a particular period.
89. Question 89. Define Load Factor?
Answer :
Load factor is defined as the ratio of average load to the peak load (or) maximum demand.
90. Question 90. What Includes Fixed Cost?
Answer :
Fixed cost includes the following cost.
o Cost of land
o Cost of building
 o Cost of equipment
o Cost of installation
o Interest
o Depreciation cost
o Insurance
o Management cost
91. Question 91. What Includes Operating Cost?
Answer :
Operating cost includes the following cost.
o Cost of fuel
o Cost of operating labour,
o Cost of maintenance labours and materials.
o Cost of supplier like
Water for feeding boilers, for condenser and for general use.
o Lubrication oil and, grease.
o Water treatment chemicals.
92. Question 92. What Is The Need Of Depreciation Cost?
Answer :
Depreciation cost is the amount to be set aside per year from the income of the plant to meet
the depreciation caused by the age of service, wear and tear of the machinery and equipments.
Depreciation amount collected every year helps in replacing and repairing the equipment.
93. Question 93. Write About Atomic Number?
Answer :
The nucleus contains protons and neutrons. The number of protons in a given atom is an
atomic number (Z). The atomic number for H is 1 and He is 2.
94. Question 94. Write About Isotopes Of An Element?
Answer :
Some elements have the same number of protons in the nucleus but different number of
neutrons. As a result, these elements have the same atomic number but different mass
number. Such type of elements which ‘have the same atomic number – same number of
protons the same chemical properties but different mass numbers due to different number of
neutrons, are known as in the isotopes of an element.
95. Question 95. What Are The Requirements To Sustain Fission Process?
Answer :
o The bombarded neutrons must have sufficient energy to cause fission.
o The number of neutrons produced must be able to create the rate of fission.
o The fission process must generate energy.
o The fission process must be controlled.
96. Question 96. Define Multiplication Factor Of A Fission Process?
Answer :
k =number of neutrons of any one generation/number of neutrons of immediately preceding
generation.
97. Question 97. Define Fertile Materials And Breeding In Reactors?
Answer :
 There are materials like U 235 and Th232 which are not fissile but can be converted into
fissile materials by the bombardment of neutrons. Such materials are known as fertile
materials.
The process of converting more fertile material into fissile material in a reaction is known as
breeding.
98. Question 98. What Are The Desirable Properties Of A Good Moderator?
Answer :
o It must be as light as possible It must slow down the neutron as quick as possible.
o It must have resistance to corrosion.
o It must have good machinability.
o It must have good conductivity and high melting point.
99. Question 99. What Are The Desirable Properties Of A Coolant?
Answer :
o It should not absorb neutron
o Have high chemical and radiation stability
o Non-corrosive
o Have high boiling point
o Non-toxic
100. Question 100. Name Few Types Of Reactors?
Answer :
Fast reactors, Thermal reactors, natural fuel reactors, Enriched Uranium reactors, water
moderated reactors, heavy water moderated reactor, graphite moderated reactor, gas cooled
reactors and Sodium cooled reactors.
101. Question 101. What Are The Advantages Using Co2 As Coolant?
Answer :
o Gases do not react chemically with the structural materials.
o Gas can attain any temperature for a particular pressure.
o They do not absorb neutron.
o The leakage of gas will not affect the reactivity.
o The gas coolant provides best neutron economy.
102. Question 102. What Are The Advantages Of Breeder Reactors?
Answer :
o It gives high power density than any other reactor.
o High breeding is possible.
o High burn-up of fuel is achievable.
o The operation of the reactor is not limited by Xe poisoning.
103. Question 103. What Are The Demerits Of Breeder Reactor?
Answer :
o Highly enriched fuel is required
o Control is difficult and expensive
o Safety must be provided against melt down
o Handling of sodium is a major problem
104. Question 104. What Are The Advantages Of Sodium In Fast-breeder Reactors?
Answer :
o Sodium has very low absorption cross-sectional area.
o It possess good heat transfer properties at high temperature and low pressure.
 o It does not react with any of the structural materials used in primary circuits.
105. Question 105. Name The Different Types Of Mhd Generators?
Answer :
o Open cycle MHD
o Closed cycle MHD
o Closed cycle MHD with liquid metal
106. Question 106. What Is The Working Principle Of Magneto Hydrodynamic Power
Plant?
Answer :
The working principle of MHD is as like that of dynamo. Instead of solid conductor high
temperature plasma is passed through the magnetic field at sonic speed. When the gas is
passed through magnetic field, current is induced. Electrodes collect this induced current.
107. Question 107. What Is The Purpose Of Control Rods?
Answer :
The control rods are used to start the chain reaction, maintain the chain reaction at required
level and to shut down the reactor during emergency.
108. Question 108. What Are The Different Types Of Load Acting On The Chimney?
Answer :
Its own weight which is considered to act on single vertical force acting through the centroid
The wind pressure, which is considered to act on the horizontal force acting on the centroid of
vertical projected area.
109. Question 109. What Is Meant By Nuclear Fission?
Answer :
Uranium exists in different isotopes of U 238, tP34 and U 235. Out of these, EP35 is most
unstable.
When unstable heavy nucleus is bombarded with high-energy neutrons, it splits up roughly
into two equal fragments and about 2.5 neutrons are released and a large amount of energy is
produced. This process is called nuclear fission.
110. Question 110. Name The Different Components Of Nuclear Reactor?
Answer :
o Nuclear fuel
o Moderator
o Control rods
o Reflectors
o Reactor vessel
o Biological shielding
o Coolant
111. Question 111. State Some Advantages Of Pressurized Water Reactor?
Answer :
o The pressurized water reactor is compact
o In this type, water is used as coolant; moderator and reflector water is cheap and
available in plenty)
o It requires less number of control rods.
112. Question 112. What Are The Advantages Of Gas Cooled Reactor Nuclear Power
Plant?
 Answer :
o Fuel processing is simple.
o The use of C02 as coolant completely eliminates the possibility of explosion in
reactor.
o No corrosion problem.
113. Question 113. What Is Breeding In Nuclear Reactor?
Answer :
The process of producing fissionable material from a fertile material such as uranium 238 (U
238) and thorium 232 (Th 232) by neutron absorption is known as breeding.
114. Question 114. Name The Coolants Commonly Used For Fast Breeder Reactors?
Answer :
o Liquid metal (Na (or) Na K)
o Helium (He)
o Carbon dioxide.