1. Write down the different components of Diesel engine power plant and state their functions.

a. Diesel Engine
The diesel engine is the prime mover of
the plant. It converts the chemical
energy of diesel fuel into mechanical
energy by combustion of fuel inside the
engine cylinder.

b. Generator
The generator is coupled to the diesel
engine shaft and converts the
mechanical energy produced by the
engine into electrical energy.

c. Air Intake System

The air intake system supplies fresh and clean air to the engine cylinder for combustion. It generally
consists of an air filter and intake manifold.

d. Exhaust System
The exhaust system removes burnt gases from the engine cylinder and discharges them safely into
the atmosphere through silencers.

e. Cooling System
The cooling system removes excess heat generated in the engine and maintains the engine
temperature within safe operating limits.

f. Fuel Supply System

The fuel supply system stores, filters and supplies diesel fuel to the engine in proper quantity and
pressure for combustion.

g. Lubrication System
The lubrication system supplies lubricating oil to moving engine parts to reduce friction, wear and
overheating.

h. Diesel Engine Starting System

The starting system is used to start the diesel engine initially. It may use electric motors, batteries or
compressed air.

i. Governing System
The governing system adjusts & regulates the fuel supply according to load changes and maintains
nearly constant engine speed.
2. In brief explain the working of diesel power plant
The working of a diesel power plant can be explained in the following steps:
a) Air Intake and Compression
Fresh air is drawn into the diesel
engine cylinder and compressed
to a high pressure and
temperature.

b) Fuel Injection and Combustion

Diesel fuel is injected into the
compressed hot air inside the
cylinder, where it ignites
automatically and burns.

c) Power Generation in Engine

The high-pressure gases
produced by combustion push
the piston, causing the crankshaft of the diesel engine to rotate
d) Mechanical to Electrical Energy Conversion
The rotating crankshaft drives the generator coupled to it, which converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy.

e) Exhaust Gas Removal

After combustion, the burnt gases are discharged from the cylinder through the exhaust system.

f) Auxiliary System Operation

The cooling, lubrication, fuel supply and governing systems operate continuously to maintain
efficient and safe engine performance.

Thus, a diesel power plant converts the chemical energy of diesel fuel into mechanical energy and
then into electrical energy for power generation.

3. What are the advantages of diesel engine power plant.

• Simple in design and installation.
• Good response to varying loads without any difficulty.
• Stand-by losses are very less.
• They occupy less space.
• They can be started and put on load quickly.
• They require less quantity of cooling water.
• Overall capital cost is less than that of steam plants.

• Cost of building and civil engineering works is very low.

• These plants can be located near load centres.
• No problem of ash handling.
• Lubrication system is very economical as compared to steam power plants.
• Diesel power plants are more efficient than steam power plants in the range of 150 MW capacities.
4. What are the disadvantages of diesel engine power plant.
• High operating cost.
• High maintenance cost
• Capacity is limited. Maximum up to 150 MW.
• Noise is a serious problem.
• They cannot supply overloads continuously, whereas thermal power plants can work under 25%
overload continuously.
• Diesel power plants are not economical, if fuel is to be Imported.
• Life of a diesel power plant (2 to 5 years) is very small as compared to thermal power plants (25
to 30 years)

5. Write down the applications of Diesel engine power plant.

• Diesel engine power plants are quite suitable for mobile power generation and they are widely
used in transportation systems consisting of railroads, ships, automobiles and aeroplanes.
• They can be used for electrical power generation of capacities from 100 kW to 5000 kW.
• They can be used as peak load plants for some other types of power plants.
• They can be used as emergency power plants, i.e. standby power plants.
• They can be used in small scale industries.
• They can be used for small nursery stations.
• They can be used as small capacity central stations.

6. What are the essential components of Gas turbine power plant? How many types of Gas turbine power
plant are there?
A gas turbine power plant consists of the following essential components:
a. Air Compressor
b. Combustion Chamber
c. Gas Turbine
d. Generator / Alternator
e. Starting System
f. Fuel Supply System
g. Lubrication System
h. Cooling System

Gas turbine power plants are mainly of two types:

a. Open Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant
b. Closed Cycle Gas Turbine Power Plant

7. What are the advantages of a gas turbine plant?

a. Warm Up Time: Once the turbine is brought up to the rated speed by the starting motor and the fuel
is ignited; the GT will accelerate from cold start to full load without warmup time.

b. Low Weight and Size: The weight of the plant per kW output is low, which is a favourable feature in
all vehicles (land, air and sea). In utilities also, the foundation of the plant is lighter.
 c. Fuel Flexibility: Any hydrocarbon fuel from high octane gasoline to heavy diesel oil and pulverized
coal can be used effectively.

d. Floor Space: Because of its smaller size, the floor space required for its installation is less.

e. Start-up and Shut-down: A GT plant can be started up as well as shut down quickly, like a diesel
engine. Thus, it is eminently suitable to meet the peak load demand of a certain region.

f. High Efficiency: Suitable blade cooling permits the use of high GT inlet temperature (as high as
1300°C) yielding a high thermal efficiency (on the order of 37%).

g. Combined Cycle Mode: A GT plant can be used in conjunction with a bottoming steam plant in the
combined cycle mode to yield an overall fuel-to-electricity efficiency of 55%.

h. Cooling Water: The requirement of cooling water is not much. Water availability is not a restriction
for installing a GT plant.

i. Ash Disposal: In a thermal power station ash disposal from the site poses a serious problem. This is
not so in a GT power plant.

j. Transmission Loss: It can be located at the load centre itself. Therefore, the transmission loss is
minimal in such a plant.

k. Cost of Installation: The installation cost is much less compared to a thermal plant. Only foundation
is required. The plant comes from the factory to the site, almost fully assembled.

l. Scope of Cogeneration: GT exhaust can be used to produce process heat for various uses.

m. Low Capital Cost: GT plants are available in standard sizes. The capital cost per kW is considerably
less than a thermal plant.

8. Disadvantages of a gas turbine plant.

a. Low Part-Load Efficiency
Gas turbine plants operate efficiently only at full load. Their efficiency decreases significantly at
part-load conditions.
b. Highly Sensitive to Component Efficiency
The overall performance of the plant depends greatly on the efficiency of components like the
compressor and turbine
c. Affected by Ambient Conditions
The efficiency of the plant varies with atmospheric conditions such as air pressure and temperature.
d. High Exhaust Heat Losses
A large quantity of air is required to limit turbine inlet temperature, resulting in high exhaust heat
losses if waste heat is not utilized
e. High Compressor Power Requirement
A significant portion of the turbine output is used to drive the compressor, which reduces the net
efficiency of the plant.
 f. Need for High-Quality Air Filtration
Clean air is essential for proper operation. Dust particles can damage turbine blades, so high-quality
air filters are required

9. Describe the working of a closed cycle gas turbine plant with a schematic diagram.
a. Compression:
The working fluid from the precooler is compressed
in the compressor to high pressure. The compressor
is driven by the turbine through a Single shaft
arrangement.

b. Heating in Combustion Chamber / Heat Exchanger:

The compressed gas passes through the combustion
chamber. Here, fuel is burned and heat is transferred
to the working fluid indirectly. The combustion gases
do not mix with the working fluid.

c. Expansion in Turbine:
The high-pressure, high-temperature gas enters the
turbine and expands.

d. Power Generation:
The turbine drives:
• The compressor.
• The generator, producing electrical energy

e. Cooling in Precooler:
After expansion, the gas passes through the precooler, where it is cooled by water (coolant). The
cooled gas is then recirculated back to the compressor, completing the cycle.

10. Describe the working of an open cycle gas turbine plant with a schematic diagram.
• Air from the atmosphere is drawn
into the compressor.
• The compressor compresses the air
to high pressure.
• The compressed air is sent to the
combustion chamber.
• Fuel is injected through a nozzle and
mixed with compressed air.
• The fuel-air mixture burns in the
combustion chamber producing high-
temperature gases.
• The hot gases expand through the
turbine and rotate it.
• The turbine drives the compressor and generator through a common shaft.
• The generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• The exhaust gases are discharged into the atmosphere.
11. Distinguish between diesel power plant and gas turbine power plant.
Diesel Power Plant Gas Turbine Power Plant

Uses reciprocating diesel engine Uses rotary gas turbine

Heavier and bulky Compact and lightweight

Suitable for small capacity Suitable for large capacity

Higher efficiency at part load Low efficiency at part load

Requires more maintenance Requires less maintenance

Uses diesel fuel Uses natural gas, diesel or kerosene

Requires more cooling water Requires less cooling water

Slower response Very quick start and response

Used for standby and small-scale generation Used for peak load and large-scale generation

12. How combined cycle gas turbine power plant works?

• Air is drawn from the
atmosphere and
compressed in the
compressor of the gas
turbine.
• The compressed air
enters the combustion
chamber, where fuel is
added and burned to
produce high-
temperature gases.
• The hot gases expand
through the gas
turbine, producing
mechanical energy.
• The gas turbine drives the generator, producing electrical power (first stage generation).
• The hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine pass through the Heat Recovery Steam Generator
(HRSG).
• In the HRSG, the waste heat of exhaust gases is used to convert water into high-pressure steam.
• The steam is then directed to the steam turbine, where it expands and produces mechanical
energy.
• The steam turbine drives another generator, producing additional electrical power (second stage
generation).
• The exhaust steam from the steam turbine is condensed in the condenser using cooling water
from the cooling tower or river.
• The condensed water is pumped back through the water treatment system and pump to the
HRSG, completing the steam cycle.
13. Name the thermodynamic cycles used in a combined gas turbine and steam turbine power plant.
Combined cycle power plants utilise both the Rankine thermodynamic cycle and Brayton
thermodynamic cycle.

14. what are the differences between nuclear fission and nuclear fusion.
Nuclear Fission Nuclear Fusion

Heavy nucleus splits into two lighter nuclei Two light nuclei combine to form a heavier nucleus

Initiated by bombardment of neutrons Requires extremely high temperature and pressure

Occurs in elements like uranium and Occurs in elements like hydrogen isotopes (deuterium,
plutonium tritium)

Produces large amount of energy Produces even larger amount of energy than fission

Produces radioactive waste Produces very little radioactive waste

Chain reaction is possible and controllable Chain reaction is difficult to control

Occurs in the sun and stars (not yet widely used

Used in nuclear reactors and power plants commercially)

15. write short notes on radio activity and radioactive charge

Radioactivity
Radioactivity is the spontaneous disintegration of unstable atomic nuclei, during which they emit
radiations such as alpha, beta and gamma rays along with release of energy to attain a more stable
state.

Radioactive Charge
Radioactive charge refers to the electric charge carried by the radiations emitted during radioactive
decay, where alpha particles carry a positive charge, beta particles carry a negative or positive charge,
and gamma rays have no charge.

16. What is atomic mass number?

The atomic mass number of an atom is the total number of protons and neutrons present in the
nucleus of the atom.
It is represented by the symbol A.
Mass Number (A) = Number of Protons + Number of Neutrons

17. What are the various types of nuclear reactors? Explain each of them.
Nuclear reactors are classified based on moderator, coolant and neutron energy. The important types
are:

a. Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR)

In this reactor, ordinary water is used as both coolant and moderator and is maintained under high
pressure to prevent boiling. Heat is transferred to a secondary circuit to produce steam.

b. Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

In this reactor, water acts as both coolant and moderator, and it is allowed to boil inside the
reactor core. The steam produced directly drives the turbine.
 c. High Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGCR)
This reactor uses gas (helium) as coolant and graphite as moderator. It operates at high
temperatures and gives higher thermal efficiency.

d. Liquid Metal Fast Breeder Reactor (LMFBR)

This reactor uses fast neutrons and liquid metals like sodium as coolant. It produces more fuel than
it consumes and does not require a moderator.

e. Heavy Water Reactor (HWR)

This reactor uses heavy water (D₂O) as both coolant and moderator and can operate with natural
uranium fuel.

f. Gas-Cooled Reactor
In this type, gases like carbon dioxide are used as coolant and graphite as moderator.

18. Describe the working of a pressurized water reactor (PWR) with a neat sketch.
Working
• The fuel in the PWR is slightly enriched
uranium in the form of thin rods or plates.
• Water flows through the reactor core, where
nuclear fission takes place and heats the water.
Water acts as both coolant and moderator
• PWR power plant is composed of two loops in
series, the coolant loop, called the primary
circuit, and the water-steam working fluid
loop, called the secondary circuit.
• The heated water (primary circuit) is
maintained at high pressure (~150 atm) so
that it does not boil.
• This hot pressurized water flows to the heat
exchanger (steam generator).
• In the heat exchanger, heat from the primary
water is transferred to secondary (feed) water, producing steam.
• The generated steam drives the turbine, which in turn drives the generator to produce electricity.
• The exhaust steam is condensed in the condenser and pumped back as feed water (secondary
circuit).

Role of Pressurizer:
• The pressurizer maintains constant pressure in the primary circuit.
• If pressure drops, the heater in the pressurizer is switched on to form steam and increase pressure.
• If pressure increases, cold water is sprayed to condense steam and reduce pressure.
19. Describe the working of a boiling water reactor
(BWR) with a neat sketch.
• In this Boiling Water reactor, enriched Uranium
is used as fuel.
• Water enters directly into the reactor core,
where nuclear fission takes place and heats the
water.
• The water boils inside the reactor core,
producing steam.
• Since the coolant boils in the reactor itself, its
pressure is much less than that in a PWR and it
is maintained at about 70 bar with steam
temperature around 285°C
• The steam is passed through steam separators and dryers, located in the upper part of the pressure
vessel assembly, to remove moisture.
• The dry steam flows through a throttle valve to the turbine.
• The water thus serves the triple function of coolant, moderator and working fluid
• The turbine rotates and drives the generator to produce electricity.
• The exhaust steam is condensed in the condenser.
• The condensed water is pumped back to the reactor by a feedwater pump, completing the cycle.
• The saturated liquid that separates from the vapour at the top of the reactor in a steam separator
flows downward either internally within the reactor or externally outside the reactor and mixes with
the return condensate. This recirculation may occur naturally or by pumps.

20. Differentiate between Pressurized water reactor (PWR) and boiling water reactor (BWR).
Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)
Water is kept under very high pressure so that it does Water is allowed to boil inside the reactor
not boil in the reactor. core.

Steam is produced in a separate steam generator Steam is produced directly in the reactor
(heat exchanger). vessel.

Uses two separate circuits: primary and secondary Uses a single circuit.
circuits.
Reactor pressure is comparatively lower
Reactor pressure is very high (about 150 atm). (about 70 atm).

Steam reaching the turbine may contain

Turbine does not receive radioactive water directly. radioactive impurities.

Construction is more complex due to separate heat Construction is comparatively simpler.

exchanger.
Efficiency is comparatively lower. Efficiency is comparatively higher.
21. Describe the working of gas cooled reactor with a neat sketch.
This type of reactor is cooled by the gas. The heat
carried by the gas from the reactor is either used for
generating steam in the secondary circuit like PWR or
it can be directly used as the working fluid in the gas
power plant. The indirect circuit type gas cooled
reactor is shown in Fig. In this type, the carbon
dioxide gas is used as primary coolant which in turn
generates steam in the secondary circuit. Carbon
dioxide gas is used to carry away the heat produced in
the reactor. The gas is circulated at a pressure of
about 7 bar. The gas flowing up through each of the
channels round the elements leaves the reactor at the
top. This gas flows to heat exchanger and transfers its
heat to water so that it gets converted into steam.
The gas is recirculated with the help of gas blowers. The steam drives the turbines which in turn drives
alternator to generate electricity.

22. What are the advantages of nuclear power plant?

a) It produces a large amount of energy.
b) It produces low pollution.
c) Low-cost energy
d) Reliable power source
e) Zero-carbon emissions
f) Promising energy future
g) High energy density

23. What are the disadvantages of nuclear power plant?

a) Radioactive waste that results from nuclear power plants and nuclear reactions is a big threat to
the environment.
b) It involves huge investment and is not economical.
c) Requires skilled labourers to construct, maintain and monitor the nuclear plant.
d) It is not a form of renewable energy.
e) It causes ill effects on human health and causes huge damage when nuclear accidents take
place.