Polytechnic University of the Philippines

College of Engineering
Sta. Mesa Manila

Engineering Utilities 2 (Basic Mechanical Engineering) – Activity 01

BESMONTE, Emmanuel 19 October
Name Signature Date 2020
D.
Student 2019-05794-
Section BSRE 2-1 Number Score
MN-0
Instruction: Answer the following questions. Write your answer on the space
below each question.

1. Enumerate the different types of utilities and explain their purpose.

Water – Water as a utility has a lot of services to offer to humanity. Firefighting,

water supply (both industrial and individual use), cooling and heating, and silicon
chip production are just a few of its uses. However, due to its flexibility as a utility,
it poses different threats on its respective peculiarities in the industry. Different
water treatments should be applied depending on where it is used.

Steam – The usage of steam in the industry has been increasing exponentially
ever since. Steam is mainly generated by steam boilers that may be fired by coal,
oil, or gas. Its main point of weakness is its inability to be transferred over a long
distance scale as the steam will just cool down ultimately. Moreover, its efficiency
and efficacy, also lie on the handler and/or operator of the said utility. There is a
checklist made ready for this.

Compressed Air – This specific type of utility has some strong suit of its own —
its two subdivided very distinct categories; plant air and instrument air. Plant air is
a generally used type of compressed air while the instrument air goes on the
pneumatic instruments of an industrial plant.

Inert Gas – Inert gasses are rarest forms of elements on earth. It is nonflammable,
nonreactive (in nature), and, specifically does not assist combustion. These gasses
should strictly be nontoxic, noncorrosive and must not get absorbed as it may cause
potential hazard. The main uses of inert gas are as follows; purging of equipment
and lines, and blanketing. Malpractice in handling or using an inert gas may lead
to asphyxiation.

Electrical Power – The name of this utility highly suggests its main use — energy.
This is crucial inside an industrial plant or any of the likes as it is the main source
of power to the electronics being used. Some of its top uses are in pumping,
compression, air coolers, motor drives, and lighting.

Fuel Systems – Plants, specifically, chemical plants use fuel oil, fuel gas, and
solid fuel (i.e. coal) as the source of heat energy. Fuel gas and fuel oil are fired in
proprietary burners.

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 2. Rank the types of utilities discussed in this module based on their application and
explain the reason behind their ranking.

Now, For the ranking of the utilities discussed in the module, I will base it on its
impact on contemporary setting. Top listing indicates top rank.

Water – I went with water as the most vital of the six utilities since not it plays a
huge role inside the industry, it also is the most abundant, durable, and flexible raw
material on earth together with the low cost of acquiring it. It is also safe to say that
this utility is the “starter” of all the aforementioned utilities. Water serves as a
fundamental to all since we cannot use the rest of the utilities without it.

Electrical Power – This automatically and naturally comes second after water as
it is the source of electricity and power inside a plant. Lighting, use of various energy
supplies and many more are just so notable to mention regarding the argument of its
importance in the industry.

Steams – Now, this may be odd that the steams clenched the third rank — but it
is not. Steams do the background and of all processes and it hypes up the other utilities.
It serves as the frontline of the start of a process. It is, without a doubt, an important
and vital raw material.

Fuel Systems – Fuel systems, to me, together with steams, almost went on a tie.
Fuel gas and oil, and solid fuel are a must and should not be neglected within the
industry. This is an essential part of the process since it can also serve as a “backup”
of the electrical power.

Compressed Air – The peculiarity and specifications of this material is a vital to a

success and outcome of a process. Given the versatility and impact it can do to a
material or a product, it should dearly be noted that this is an important utility.

Inert Gas – Inert gasses have long been considered as the noble gasses. They just
do not go well with other elements and that gives its uniqueness and significance within
a plant. Their nature of existing as a stable material can be used profoundly and let the
plant function more effectively and extensively.

This study source was downloaded by 100000828785304 from CourseHero.com on 10-27-2022 08:09:27 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/99225168/ACT01-BSRE21-EU06pdf/
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