THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MASTER OF ENERGY MANAGEMENT (MEM)
DMX9402 Thermal Energy Utilities (TEU)
ACADEMIC YEAR 2022
Assignment 1

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Write your name and registration number clearly on your completed assignment
2. Upload your completed assignment (only PDF Format-Max File size 2MB) to Open learn
LMS
3. Last date of submission is 30th June 2022 (Thursday) at 23.59 h

1. A process steam plant has a flash vessel operating at following conditions (15 marks)
Condensate flow 8,000 kg/h
Condensate pressure 8 barg
Flash steam pressure 3 barg (Required for process)

Draw a diagram for this process and find,

a. Liquid enthalpy before flashing
b. Liquid enthalpy after flashing
c. Enthalpy of evaporation of flash steam
d. Flash steam rate in kg/h

2. Select the suitable pipe sizes for 3 barg, 5 barg, 6 barg, 10 barg and 14 barg for dry
saturated steam through long steam pipes which carries 2000 kg/h. What is the pipe
selection criteria in this case? (Refer to Table 10.2.4) (12 marks)

3. Select suitable pipe size for below operating conditions of dry saturated steam
(20 marks)
Steam flow 25,000 kg/h
Upstream pressure 14 barg
Downstream pressure 13.2 barg
Straight pipe length 360 m
Pipe equivalence for valves and fittings 25%

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 Use equation

Where:
PDF = Pressure Drop Factor (Ref: Table 10.2.6 for pipe selection)
F1 = Pressure factor at inlet pressure (Ref: Table 10.2.5)
F2 = Pressure factor at pressure at a distance of L meters (Ref: Table 10.2.5)
L = Equivalent length of pipe (m)
W
hat is the actual pressure drop through pipe when carrying 25,000 kg/h of steam?

4. Write the main groups (categories) of steam traps based on the operation? What is the
basis of design of each type? (12 marks)

5. For each steam trap type, mention suitable location in process steam plant and clearly
justify your answer in brief. (12 marks)

6. “A steam trap should not be used as a condensate pump to pump condensate to higher
elevations”. Do you agree? Briefly justify your answer (10 marks)

7. As an energy Manager in a factory you are supposed to take a decision on replacing the
existing boiler with a new boiler of 85% efficiency. The cost of new boiler is Rs. 5 million.
The following information is available related to the existing boiler.
.
Average steam generation : 6,000 kg/hr
Fuel used : furnace oil
Enthalpy gained by the steam in the boiler : 610 kcal/kg of steam
Cost of furnace oil : Rs. 100/ kg
Gross calorific value of the fuel : 10,000 kcal/kg
Annual operating hours : 6,500 h
Boiler efficiency : 80%

Evaluate the given information and indicate your decision with reasons. (10 marks)

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8. Distinguish between topping cycle and bottoming cycle in co-generation plant and give two
examples for a specific industry. (3 marks)

9. There are four main sizing methods of the co-generation plants. Briefly explain each.
(6 marks)

END.

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