PART A

1. The equipment installed in power plants to reduce air pollution due to smoke is
(A) Induced draft fans (B) De-super heaters (C) Electrostatic precipitators (D) Re-heaters.
2. A condenser in a thermal power plant condenses steam combing out of
(A) Boiler (B) Super-heater (C) Economizer (D) Turbine.
3. In a steam turbine cycle, the lowest pressure occurs in
(A) Turbine inlet (B) boiler (C) condenser (D) super heater.
4. When pulverized fuel is not used, the equipment used for supplying coal o the boiler is
(A) Heater (B) Stoker (C) Burner (D) Skip hoist.
5. Equipment used for pulverizing the coal is known as
(A) Ball mill (B) Hopper (C) Burner (D) Stoker.
6. Pulverized coal is
(A) Coal free from ash (B) non-smoking coal (C) coal which bums for long time
(D) Coal broken into fine particles.
7. Ash content of coal can be reduced by
(A) Slow burning (B) washing (C) pulverizing (D) mixing with high grade coal
8. Minimum quantity of fuel is required........
A).Thermal power plant B.)Nuclear power plant C.) Hydroelectric power plant D).Diesel power plant
9. In nuclear power stations which nuclear reaction is performed?
a) Nuclear fission b) Nuclear fusion c) 90% fission and 10% fusion d) 90% fusion and 10% fission
10. What is the main function of moderator?
a) It absorb the extra neutrons b) It divert extra neutrons c) It slow down the speed of fast neutrons
d) It absorb the heat energy caused by nuclear reaction
11. The main body of reactor is called ____________
a) Thermal shielding b) Reactor vessel c) Reflector d) Biological shielding
12. Which of the following part of nuclear reactor is used to control the rate of reaction.
a) Moderator b) Control rods c) Reflector d) Coolant
13.Which of the following material is not used as moderator?
a) Oxygen b) Ordinary water c) Heavy water d) Graphite
Part B
1. Define Draught. (Understand)
Draught is defined as the difference between absolute gas pressure at any point in a gas flow
passage and the ambient (same elevation) atmospheric pressure.
2. Write the classification of Mechanical Stokers? (Understand)
1. Travelling grate stoker 2. Chain grate stoker 3. Spreader stoker
4. Vibrating grate Stoker 5. Underfeed stoker.
3. Define Condenser? (Understand)
A condenser is a device in which the steam is condensed by cooling it with water. The condensed
steam is known as condensate.
4. What are the components of pressurized water reactor nuclear power plant?
The major components are the reactor vessel, the core barrel, the reactor core, and the upper
internals package.
5. Define Nuclear Fission. (Understand)
Fission is the process that occurs when a neutron collides with the nucleus of certain of heavy atoms,
causing the original nucleus to split into two or more unequal fragments which carry-off most of the
energy of fission as kinetic energy. When this is done a tremendous amount of energy is released.
The energy is both heat and light energy
6. What is the function of a moderator? (Understand)
 The function of moderator is to slow down the neutrons released from fission so that they cause more
fission. It is usually water, but may be heavy water or graphite.
7. What is the use of pulveriser and name different types of pulverising mills
The pulveriser is used to pulverize the coal in order to increase the surface exposure.
Pulverized coal enables rapid combustion. The different types of pulverizing mills are
1. Ball mill 2. Hammer mill 3. Ball and race mill.
8. Write about forced draught system? (Understand)
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 economiser and
air preheater.
9. What is ESP? State its use (Understand)
Electrostatic precipitators (ESP) collect dust in the flue gas produced by boiler, etc. An electrostatic
precipitator (ESP) is a filter less device that removes fine particles, like dust and smoke, from a flowing gas
using the force of an induced electrostatic charge minimally impeding the flow of gases through the unit.
10. What are pressurized water reactors (PWR)? (Understand)
The PWR belongs to the light water type. The moderator and the coolant are both light water
(H2O). The cooling water circulates in two loops, which are fully separated from one another.
PWR keep water under pressure, so the water heats but does not boil even at the high operating
temperature
11. Define Nuclear Fusion. (Understand)
Fusion means joining smaller nuclei to make a larger nucleus. The sun uses nuclear fusion of
hydrogen atoms into helium atoms. This gives off heat and other radiation.
12. What is stoker? Classify it. (Understand)
Stoker is the machine for feeding coal or other solid fuel into a furnace, usually supporting the fuel during
combustion There are three types: the over feed, the under feed and the cross feed.
13. Define water as moderator. (Understand)
Neutrons from fission have very high speeds and must slowed greatly by water moderation to
maintain the chain reaction. The Uranium-235 is enriched to 2.5-3.5% to allow ordinary water to be
the moderator. Enough spontaneous events occur to initiate a chain reaction if the proper moderation
and fuel density is provided.
14. Define chain reaction? (Understand)
A chain reaction is that process in which the number of neutrons keeps on multiplying rapidly (in
geometrical progression) during fission till whole the fissionable material is disintegrated. The
multiplication or reproduction factor (K) is given by.
No.of neutrons in any particular generation / No. of neutrons in the preceding generation
PART C
What are the different types of pulverising mills? Explain with neat sketches

The various pulverizing mills used are as follows:

(i) Ball mill
(ii) Hammer mill
(iii) Ball and race mill
(iv) Bowl mill.
The essential functions of pulverizing mills are as follows:

(i) Drying of the coal

(ii) Grinding
 (iii) Separation of particles of the desired size.
Proper drying of raw coal which may contain moisture is necessary for effective grinding. The
coal pulverizing mills reduce coal to powder form by three actions as follows:
(i) Impact (ii) Attrition (abrasion) (iii) Crushing.
Most of the mills use all the above mentioned all the three actions in varying degrees. In impact type
mills hammers break the coal into smaller pieces whereas in attrition type the coal pieces which
rub against each other or metal surfaces to disintegrate. In crushing type mills coal caught between
metal rolling surfaces gets broken into pieces. The crushing mills use steel balls in a container.
These balls act as crushing elements.
BALL MILL:
A line diagram of ball mill using two classifiers is shown in Fig. It consists of a slowly rotating
drum which is partly filled with steel balls. Raw coal from feeders is supplied to the classifiers from
where it moves to the drum by means of a screw conveyor.

Fig-Ball Mill

As the drum rotates the coal gets pulverized due to the combined impact between coal and steel
balls. Hot air is introduced into the drum. The powdered coal is picked up by the air and the coal
air mixture enters the classifiers, where sharp changes in the direction of the mixture throw out the
oversized coal particles. The over-sized particles are returned to the drum. The coal air mixture
from the classifier moves to the exhauster fan and then it is supplied to the burners.
BALL AND RACE MILL
Fig. shows a ball and race mill. In this mill the coal passes between the rotating elements again
and again until it has been pulverized to desired degree of fineness. The coal is crushed between
two moving surfaces namely balls and races. The upper stationary race and lower rotating race
driven by a worm and gear hold the balls between them. The raw coal supplied falls on the inner
side of the races. The moving balls and races catch coal between them to crush it toa powder. The
necessary force needed for crushing is applied with the help of springs. The hot air supplied picks
up the coal dust as it flows between the balls and races, and then enters the classifier. Where
oversized coal particles are returned for further grinding, where as the coal particles of required size
are discharged from the top ofclassifier.
 Fig-Ball and Race Mill

In this mill coal is pulverized by a combination of' crushing, impact and attrition between the grinding
surfaces. The advantages of this mill are as follows:
(i) Lower capital cost (ii) Lower power consumption
(iii) Lower space required (iv) Lower weight.
However in this mill there is greater wear as compared to other pulverizes. The use of pulverized coal
has now become the standard method of firing in the large boilers. The pulverized coal burns with
some advantages that result in economic and flexible operation of steam boilers. Preparation of
pulverized fuel with an intermediate bunker is shown in Fig. 1.23. The fuel movesto the automatic
balance and then to the feeder and ball mill through which hot air is blown. It dries the pulverized
coal and carries it from the millto separator.
The air fed to the ball mill is heated in the air heater. In the separator dust (fine pulverized coal)
is separated from large coal particles which are returned to the ball mill for regrinding. The dust
moves to the cyclone. Most of the dust (about 90%) from cyclone moves to bunker. The remaining
dust is mixed with air and fed to the burner.
IMPACT/HAMMER MILL:
In impact mill coal passes through coal feeder and pulverization takes place due to impact.
 Fig-1.24-Impact mill
The coal in pulverizer remains in suspension during the entire pulverizing process. All the grinding
elements and the primary air fan are mounted on a single shaft as shown in figure. The primary air
fan induces flow of air through the pulverizer which carries the coal to the primary stage of grinding
where the coal is reduced to fine granular state by impact with a series hammers and then into
final stage where pulverization is completed by attririon. The final stage of grinding consists of pegs
carried on a rotating disc and travelling between stationary pegs.
BOWL MILL:
This pulverizer consists of stationary rollers and a power driven bowl in which pulverization
takes place as the coal passes between the sides of the bowl and the rollers

What is ESP? Explain with a neat sketch and Write the advantages and disadvantages of ESP
Electrostatic precipitators (ESP) collect dust in the flue gas produced by boiler, etc. An electrostatic precipitator
(ESP) is a filter less device that removes fine particles, like dust and smoke, from a flowing gas using the force of an
induced electrostatic charge minimally impeding the flow of gases through the unit.
Describe the different types of over feed stokers and discuss its merits and demerits of each over others

TYPES OF STOKERS:
Charging of fuel into the furnace is mechanized by means of stokers of various types. They are
installed above the fire doors underneath the bunkers which supply the fuel. The bunkers receive the
fuel from conveyor.

Fig-1.17- Types of Stokers

Chain Grate Stoker. Chain grate stoker and traveling grate stoker differ only in grate
construction. A chain grate stoker (Fig. 1.18) consists of an endless chain which forms a support for
the fuel bed.

Fig-1.18-Chain grate Stoker

The chain travels over two sprocket wheels, one at the front and one at the rear of furnace. The
traveling chain receives coal at its front end through a hopper and carries it into the furnace. The ash is
tipped from the rear end of chain. The speed of grate (chain) can be adjusted to suit the firing condition.
The air required for combustion enters through the air inlets situated below the grate.
Stokers are used for burning non-coking free burning high volatile high ash coals. Although initial
cost of this stoker is high but operation and maintenance cost is low.
The traveling grate stoker also uses an endless chain but differs in that it carries small grate bars
which actually support the fuel fed. It is used to burn lignite, very small sizes of anthracites coke
breeze etc.
The stokers are suitable for low ratings because the fuel must be burnt before it reaches the rear
of the furnace. With forced draught, rate of combustion is nearly 30 to 50 lb of coal per square foot
of grate area per hour, for bituminous 20 to 35 pounds per square foot per hour for anthracite.
Spreader Stoker. A spreader stoker is shown in Fig. 1.19. In this stoker the coal from the
hopper is fed on to a feeder which measures the coal in accordance to the requirements. Feeder is
a rotating drum fitted with blades. Feeders can be reciprocating rams, endless belts, spiral worms
etc. From the feeder the coal drops on to spreader distributor which spread the coal over the furnace.
The spreader system should distribute the coal evenly over the entire grate area. The spreader speed
depends on the size of coal.
 Fig-1.19-Spreader Stoker
Advantages

The various advantages of spreader stoker are as follows:

1. Its operation cost is low.
2. A wide variety of coal can be burnt easily by this stoker.
3. A thin fuel bed on the grate is helpful in meeting the fluctuating loads.
4. Ash under the fire is cooled by the incoming air and this minimizes clinkering.
5. The fuel burns rapidly and there is little coking with coking fuels.
Disadvantages
1. The spreader does not work satisfactorily with varying size of coal.
2. In this stoker the coal burns in suspension and due to this fly ash is discharged with flue
gaseswhich requires an efficient dust collecting equipment.

Multi-retort Stoker.
A multi-retort stoker is shown in Fig.1.20. The coal falling from the hopper is pushed forward
during the inward stroke of stoker ram. The distributing rams (pushers) then slowly move the entire
coal bed down the length of stoker. The length of stroke of pushers can be varied as desired. The
slope of stroke helps in moving the fuel bed and this fuel bed movement keeps it slightly agitated to
break up clinker formation. The primary air enters the fuel bed from main wind box situated
below the stoker. Partly burnt coal moves on to the extension grate. A thinner fuel bed on the
extension grate requires lower air pressure under it. The air entering from the main wind box into
the extension grate wind box is regulated by an air damper. As sufficient amount of coal always
remains on the grate, this stoker can be used under large boilers (upto 500,000 lb per hr capacity)
to obtain high rates of combustion. Due to thick fuel bed the air supplied from the main wind box
should be at higher pressure.
 Fig-1.20-Multi retort Stoker

Explain the Construction and working of nuclear power plant with a layout.
Main components of nuclear power plants:
i) Moderators
In any chain reaction, the neutrons produced are fast moving neutrons. These are less effective in
causing fission of U235 and they try to escape from the reactor. It is thus implicit that speed of these
neutrons must be reduced if their effectiveness is carrying out fission is to be increased. This is done
by making these neutrons collide with lighter nuclei of other materials, which does not absorb these
neutrons but simply scatter them. Each collision causes loss of energy and thus the speed of neutrons
is reduced. Such a material is called a ‘Moderator’. The neutrons thus slowed down are easily
captured by the fuel element at the chain reaction proceeds slowly.
ii) Reflectors Some of the neutrons produced during fission will be partly absorbed by the fuel
elements, moderator, coolant and other materials. The remaining neutrons will try to escape from the
reactor and will be lost. Such losses are minimized by surrounding (lining) the reactor core with a
material called a reflector which will reflect the neutrons back to the core. They improve the neutron
economy. Economy: Graphite, Beryllium.
iii) Shielding
harmful to human life. Therefore it is necessary to shield the reactor with thick layers of lead, or
concrete to protect both the operating personnel as well as environment from radiation hazards.
iv) Cladding In order to prevent the contamination of the coolant by fission products, the fuel
element is covered with a protective coating. This is known as cladding. Control rods are used to
control the reaction to prevent it from becoming violent. They control the reaction by absorbing
neutrons. These rods are made of boron or cadmium. Whenever the reaction needs to be stopped, the
rods are fully inserted and placed against their seats and when the reaction is to be started the rods
are pulled out
. v) Coolant The main purpose of the coolant in the reactor is to transfer the heat produced inside the
reactor. The same heat carried by the coolant is used in the heat exchanger for further utilization in the
power generation. Some of the desirable properties of good coolant are listed below 1. It must not
absorb the neutrons. 2. It must have high chemical and radiation stability 3. It must be non-corrosive.
4. It must have high boiling point (if liquid) and low melting point (if solid) 5. It must be non-
oxidizing and non-toxic. The above-mentioned properties are essential to keep the reactor core in safe
condition as well as for the better functioning of the content. 6. It must also have high density, low
viscosity, high conductivity and high specific heat. These properties are essential for better heat
transfer and low pumping power. The water, heavy water, gas (He, CO2), a metal in liquid form (Na)
and an organic liquid are used as coolants. The coolant not only carries large amounts of heat from the
core but also keeps the fuel assemblies at a safe temperature to avoid their melting and destruction.
Vi Nuclear reactor A nuclear reactor may be regarded as a substitute for the boiler fire box of a steam
power plant. Heat is produced in the reactor due to nuclear fission of the fuel U235
The heat liberated in the reactor is taken up by the coolant circulating through the core. Hot coolant
leaves the reactor at top and flows into the steam generator (boiler).
Radiation hazards and Shieldings The reactor is a source of intense radioactivity. These radiations
are very harmful to human life. It requires strong control to ensure that this radioactivity is not
released into the atmosphere to avoid atmospheric pollution. A thick concrete shielding and a
pressure vessel are provided to prevent the escape of these radiations to atmosphere
Figure : Nuclear Power Plant (PWR)

vii) Steam generator

The steam generator is fed with feed water which is converted into steam by the heat of the
hot coolant. The purpose of the coolant is to transfer the heat generated in the reactor core and use it for
steam generation. Ordinary water or heavy water is a common coolant.
viii) Turbine The steam produced in the steam generator is passed to the turbine and work is done by the
expansion of steam in the turbine.
ix) Coolant pump and Feed pump The steam from the turbine flows to the condenser where cooling water is
circulated. Coolant pump and feed pump are provided to maintain the flow of coolant and feed water
respectively.
Advantages of nuclear power plant 1. It can be easily adopted where water and coal resources are not
available. 2. The nuclear power plant requires very small quantity of fuel. Hence fuel transportation cost is less.
3. Space requirement is less compared to other power plants of equal capacity. 4. It is not affected by adverse
 weather conditions. 5. Fuel storage facilities are not needed as in the case of the thermal power plant. 6.
Nuclear power plants will converse the fossils fuels (coal, petroleum) for other energy needs. 7. Number of
workmen required at nuclear plant is far less than thermal plant. 8. It does not require large quantity of water.
Disadvantages 1. Radioactive wastes, if not disposed of carefully, have adverse effect on the health of
workmen and the population surrounding the plant. 2. It is not suitable for varying load condition. 3. It requires
well-trained personnel. 4. It requires high initial cost compared to hydro or thermal power plants.

b) Explain the working of Boiling water reactor with neat sketch.

Boiling Water Reactor (BWR)

A thermal nuclear power reactor in which ordinary (or light) water is the moderator and coolant, as
well as the neutron reflector. The system pressure is high, but not as high as in a pressurized water
reactor, so that the water boils and steam is generated within the reactor core, so that the water boils
and steam is generatedwithin the reactor core.
In this plant cycle, also known as direct steam cycle, steam is produced in the reactor itself instead of in a
heat exchanger. Since auxiliary power is reduced from 6% to 1% by elimination of the heat transfer circuit
between reactor and steam generator, the overall plant efficiency increases with a BWR.
Boiling water reactor use enriched uranium as a fuel (enriched uranium contains more fissionable isotope
U235 than the naturally occurring percentage 0.7%). The fuel rods contain small cylindrical pellets of
uranium dioxide with an average initial enrichment of about 2.6% in uranium235.

Fig 3.4 BWR cycles

Fig 3.4 shows the arrangement of direct cycle boiling water reactor. The uraniumelements are arranged in a
particular lattice from inside a steel pressure vessel containing water. Fission heat is removed from the reactor
 by conversion of water to steam in the core. It is a direct cycle reactor.
The steam is generated in the reactor itself and this steam after passing through turbine and condenser returns
to reactor. Feed water enters the reactor tank below to pass through the fuel elements in the core as coolant
and also as moderator.
The control elements in a BWR have a cruciform cross section; each element had four blades containing
stainless steel tubes filled with neutron poison (i.e., absorber) boron as boron carbide. The blades can move up
and down in the spaces between the fuel assemblies with one control element between four assemblies in most
cases. Some 180(or so) such elements are distributed evenly throughout the core.
The controls of a BWR are inserted from the bottom of the core, rather than the top as in other reactors. This
is convenient, because the space above the core us occupied by steam-waterseparators and desirable because the
neutron absorber at the bottom of the core can compensate for the steam bubbles formed bubbles formed higher
up in the core.
As the coolant water flows upward through the core, it removes the fission heat from the fuel rods and boils.
The wet steam enters a bank of water separators and then passes on to dryers in the upper part of the reactor
vessel. The relatively dry steam then proceeds to turbine to generate electricity. The turbine condensate is
returned to the reactor as feed water.
The various cycles used in BWR are:
(1) Natural circulation single cycle
(2) Forced circulation single cycle
(3) Forced circulation dual cycle
In the natural circulation, single, cycle, no pump is used to circulate the water through the reactor core and
such a plant is best suited for capacity of 50—100MW. In the forced circulation plant the coolant is pumped
through the core. This design is preferred in 100—1000MW size range.
In the dual cycle plant, part of the heat of circulation is used for generate additional low pressure
steam for the turbine. A steam to steam heat exchanger is required which adds cost.
India’s first nuclear power plant at Tarapur has two reactors (each 200MW capacity) of BWR type.
Advantages
1. Heat exchangers pump and auxiliaries equipment requirements are reduced oreliminated,
resulting gain in thermal efficiency with reduction in cost.
2. The pressure inside the pressure vessel is not high so a thicker vessel is not requiredwhich
further reduces cost, and simplifies containment problems,
3. It is more efficient cycle than the PWR since for a given containment pressure the outlet
temperature of the steam is appreciably higher.
4. Thermal efficiency of BWR to about 30% as compared to 20-22% in PWR.
5. The metal temperature remains low for given output conditions.
6. The reactor is capable of promptly meeting the fluctuating load requirements.
Disadvantages
1. Possible carryover of radioactivity to steam equipment. There is possibility of
radioactive contamination in the turbine mechanism. Turbines may require shielding.
2. On part load operation, there is wastage of steam resulting in lowering of thermalefficiency.
3. More elaborate safety precaution needed, which are costly.
4. More biological protection is required.
 Pressurized water reactor (PWR)

Fig 3.5 Pressurized-water reactor (PWR)

The PWR is a thermal reactor, generally using enriched fuel (uranium oxide) anddepending on
the type of moderator used clad with stainless steel or zirconium alloy and the
pressure vessel is of steel. Light or heavy water may be used as the combined coolant cummoderator.
The pressure vessel and the heat exchanger are surrounded by a concrete shield. Heat exchanger is
used to develop steam, the primary loop being formed by the coolant moderator.
The water under pressure is used as both the moderator and coolant. To prevent boiling of coolant
in the core, it is maintained under pressure of 153 atm. (15.5MPa) (at this pressure water boils at 345˚ C).
As shown in Fig 3.5, a pump circulates water at high pressure round the core so that the water in
the liquid state absorbs heat from the uranium and transfers it to the secondary loop,heat exchanger or
boiler. After giving up some of its heat to boil water and produced steam in the steam generator, the high
pressure water is pumped back into the reactor vessel.
It enters just above the core and flows down through the annular region called the down comer,
between the core barrel and the pressure vessel wall. At the bottom of the core, the waterreverses direction
and flows upward through the core to remove the heat generated by fission.
The coolant steam pressure is maintained within a limited range by means of a pressurized
connected between the reactor vessel and a steam generator. The pressurizer is a large cylindrical steel
tank containing some 60% by volume of liquid water and 40% steam during steam operation.
A large PWR may have from two to four independent steam generators loops in parallel. Most
steam generators consists of a large number of inverted U-shaped tubes enclosed in acasing called the
shell. The high pressure, high temperature water from the reactor flows through the inside of the tubes,
and heat is transferred to water at a lower pressure [75 atm (7.6MPa)] on the outside (shell side) of the
tubes.
The water in the shell boils at the lower pressure and produced moist steam. Entrained moisture is
separated in the upper part of the steam generator and steam at a temperature of about 290˚C proceeds to
 the turbine system. After passage through the steam generator tubes, the high pressure water is pumped
back to the reactor vessel.
Coarse control of a PWR is achieved by the neutron poison (i.e. absorber) boron as boric acid,
dissolved in the reactor water. The boron compensates for the extra fuel present initially, and this is used
up during reactor operations, the basic acid concentration is decreased.
The controlled rods, referred to earlier, which can be moved in or out of the core, areused to
start up the reactor and shut it down and for automatic fine adjustments during normal operation. Another
used of the control rods is to make the heat (or power) distribution ad uniform as possible throughout the
core. Completed insertion of the rods will always cause the reactor to shut down.
Advantages
1. Steam supplied to the turbine is completely free from contamination
2. The reactor is compact in size as compared with some other type (such as gas cooled
reactor GCR).
3. Light water is the cheapest coolant and moderator.
4. Cooling system is simple
5. Fission products remain contained in the reactor and are not circulated
6. High power density
7. Possibility of breeding plutonium by providing a blanket of U238.

Limitations
1. High pressure requires a costly reactor vessel and leak proof primary coolant circuit.
2. High pressure and high temperature water at rapid flow rates increase corrosion an
erosion problems.
3. Steam is produced at relatively low temperature and pressure and consequently needs
super heating.