SYSTEMS IN MECHANICAL

ENGINEERING
UNIT-I
Introduction of Energy sources and its
conversion

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Sinhgad Academy of Engineering, Kondhwa, Pune
 Syllabus
• Energy sources: Thermal energy,
Hydropower energy, Nuclear energy, Solar
energy, Geothermal energy, Wind energy,
Hydrogen energy, Biomass energy and Tidal
energy. Grades of Energy. (Numerical on
efficiency calculation of thermal power plant)
• Energy conversion devices: Introduction of
pump, compressor, turbines, wind mills etc.
(Simple numerical on power and efficiency
calculations)
 Unit-I
Energy: Energy is the quantitative property that must be
transferred to an object in order to perform work on,
or to heat, the object
Unit- Joules

Power: Rate of energy transfer is called as power

Unit- J/s (watts)
 Forms of Energy
• PE= mgh
• KE= ½ mv2
• Thermal Energy – related to temp
• Chemical energy- chemical reaction
• Electrical Energy- moving of electrons
• Mechanical Energy- due to motion
• Nuclear Energy-atomic energy
• Fission- splitting
• Fusion - combining
• Gravitational Energy

It is held by an object at height in a gravitational

field
e.g Energy of water flowing down a water fall
 Grades of Energy
• High Grade- It is energy source which can be
easily converted in all forms of energy

e.g. Electrical Energy – Heat Energy

• Low Grade
An energy like thermal or heat energy which
can not be completely converted into work or
electrical Energy
 Power Plant Engineering
Power Plant:
A complex of structures, machinery and
associated equipment for generating electric
energy from another source of energy such as
coal, nuclear energy, petroleum products,
hydraulic energy etc. Also called as Powerhouse,
Power station. Power Plants plays important role
in various areas like in Process Industries,
Agriculture, Transportation, Human Comfort.
 Conventional & Non-conventional
Energy Sources

• Conventional Energy Sources:

Coal, Petroleum Products, Natural
Gas & Nuclear Energy.

• Non-conventional Energy Sources:

Solar, Wind, Ocean, Tidal & Geothermal.
 Types of Energy Sources
• Thermal energy
• Hydropower energy
• Nuclear energy
• Solar energy
• Geothermal energy
• Wind energy
• Hydrogen energy
• Biomass energy
• Tidal energy
 Thermal Energy
• Introduction
• Representation
• Working
• Energy Conversions
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Layout of Thermal Power Plant
 Introduction- TPP
• Steam is used as Working Fluid.
• Fuel used: Coal (Solid fuel) Heat of combustion is
used for the production of steam
• Heat is converted into Mechanical Energy
which further converted into Electrical Energy.
Heat Energy Mechanical Energy Electrical
Energy
• Steam is produced in the Boiler & is used to
drive the Steam Turbine which is coupled with a
Generator.
 Block Diagram of Thermal Power Plant
H P steam
H P steam

Generator
Boiler
Turbine

Water in

Feed pump Condenser

Heat Energy Mechanical Energy Electrical
Energy
THERMAL POWER PLANT
 Advantages- TPP
• Fuel used is cheaper.
• Space required is less compared to Hydro Power
Plant.
• Portion of generated steam can be used as process
steam for various industries.
• Initial cost is less compared to Diesel Power
Plants.
• Plants can be located near the load centre which
reduces transmission line cost & loss of energy in
transmission lines.
 Disadvantages- TPP
• Operation & Maintenance Cost High.
• Time needed for erection of plant is high
before it is put to operation.
• Large quantity of Water is required.
• Coal & Ash Handling causes serious
problems.
• Pollution causes health problems to workers &
habitants near the power plant.
Layout of Thermal Power Plant
 Hydropower Energy
• Introduction
• Representation
• Components
• Energy Conversions
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
 Introduction- HPP
• Basic requirement of plant is a reservoir where
large quantity of water is stored during flood
season and used during dry season.
• Reservoir is generally built by constructing a
dam across a river.
• The water from reservoir is drawn through the
penstock.
 Introduction- HPP
• Due to head difference potential energy
converted into kinetic energy.
• High velocity jet of water is supplied to
the prime mover, where K.E. is converted into
mechanical energy.
• This results rotation of turbine shaft and
ultimately the generator shaft to produce the
electric power.
 Water
Gate
Storage
(Reservoir)
Layout of Hydro Power Plant Plant
Head Race

Power House

Penstock
Surge
Casing
Tank
DAM Vanes

Trash Nozzle
Turbine
Rack Runner
Anchors
Water Jet
Penstock Tail Race

Nozzle

Hydroelectric Power Plant

Spear Water Jet
Wheell
 Components- HPP
• Reservoir : Water storage
• Dam : Provide working head of water ; increase
storage capacity of reservoir
• Trash Rack: Prevent entry of debris (waste material,
dust) into penstock from dam.
• Gate : Controlling flow of water from reservoir closed

when maintenance of system is required.

 Components- HPP
• Surge Tank: Protect penstock due to sudden variation of
flow or the velocity of water

• Penstock: Water carrying pipe from Reservoir to Turbine

• Anchors: Concrete blocks to support penstock

• Hydraulic Turbine: Converts K.E. of water into

mechanical energy
Energy Conversion at Hydro Power Plant
Potential Energy

Kinetic Energy

Mechanical Energy

Electrical Energy
 Advantages - HPP
• Low operational and generation cost
• Starting & stopping of plant takes very short time
compared to steam & nuclear power plant.
• No ash & nuclear waste disposal problem.
• Life expectancy higher.
• High efficiency over wide range of loads.
• Require less supervising staff.
• Apart from power generation plant also used for
irrigation & flood control purposes.
 Disadvantages - HPP
• Power developed depends on availability of
water.
• High cost of transmission lines and its losses
as it located away from load centers.
• Time required for development of plants is
high.
Hydroelectric Power Plant
 Nuclear Energy
• Introduction
• Representation
• Components
• Energy Conversions
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
• Location of Nuclear
Power Plants
 Introduction - NPP
• Utilises Energy which is produced by Nuclear
Reactions by Fission.
• Heat produced in Nuclear Reactor by process of
Fission carried on Radioactive materials.
• Radioactive materials –
Uranium (U235) Thorium (Th232)
Plutonium (Pu239)
• Due to consuming resources of fossil fuels & their
increasing costs, this PP may be demanded source in
future.
Nuclear Power Plant –Flow Diagram
Nuclear Power Plant
Nuclear Power Plant
 Components - NPP
• Nuclear Reactor :
In atomic fission the heavy nucleus like uranium is split in to two or
more lighter nuclei having a combined mass less than the parent
nucleus. The reduced mass is converted into enormous energy in
accordance with Einstein mass energy equation by E=mc².
• Moderator :
Reduces speed of neutrons without absorbing. Material used for
moderator are carbon or heavy water or peryllium.

• Control Rods :
Regulates energy release by absorbing neutrons. Material of
control rod is cadmium or boron.
 Components- NPP
• External Shield :
Provide for physical safety of persons from harmful effect of
radiations.
• Coolant :
Absorbs heat from reactor core & supplied it to steam
generation.
Gas Coolants : Carbon dioxide , Helium
Liquid Coolants : Sodium, Potassium & their alloys.
 Components - NPP
• Steam Generator :
Absorbs heat from coolant & produces steam.
• Steam Turbine :
High pressure steam expands in the turbine to develop mechanical
power.
• Condenser :
Steam from turbine condenses to form condensate. Condensate re-
circulated to steam generator.
• Cooling Tower (CT) :
Heated water from condenser gets cooled by surrounding air
circulation.
 Advantages – NPP
• Large quantity of energy is released by very
small amount of fuel.
• Avoids transportation & storage of large
amount of fuel.
• Does not cause air pollution.
• Plan requires less space.
• Performance of Nuclear Plant is high.
• Reduces demand of consumable resources.
 Disadvantages - NPP
• Capital Cost High.
• Needs trained man power.
• Problem of radioactive waste disposal.
• High degree of safety is needed for persons.
• Cost of power generation is very high.
Solar Energy
• Introduction
• Representation
• Components
• Energy Conversions
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
 Introduction-Solar Energy
• Two obstacles in harnessing Solar Energy.
i) Solar Energy not available constantly on
Earth.
ii) Solar Energy available is diffused energy.
• Collector Plates are used to collects diffused
energy.
• But the manufacturing cost of collector plates
requires large capital investment.
Representation- Solar Energy
 Components- Solar Energy
• Absorber Plate
• Transparent Covers :
They are one or two in numbers. Allow solar energy to reach
absorber plate. Reduces conduction, convection & re-radiation
heat losses.
• Insulation :
Done on bottom side of absorber plate. Protects absorbing
surface from heat losses.
 Components- Solar Energy
• Metallic Tubes :
Carries working fluid (water). Water circulates by natural circulation
currents. Produces steam by absorbing solar energy.
• Condenser:
Condensate exhaust steam.
• Feed Pump :
Feeds condensate water back to metallic tubes.
• Turbine :
Converts pressure energy of steam into mechanical work.
Solar Energy Conversion
Heat Energy

Mechanical Energy

Electrical Energy
 Advantages – Solar Energy
• Simple to construct & install
• Almost no maintenance & running cost.
• Ecofriendly.
• Source Available at free of cost.
• Save time & energy.
• No cost spent on fuel.
 Disadvantages – Solar Energy
• Collection & conservation of solar energy into
useful forms must be carried out over large
area which requires a large capital investment
for conservation.
• Collectors requires direct sunlight & plant is
not operative cloudy days.
• Uneconomical.
 Solar Photo-Voltaic cells
• Introduction
• Representation
• Components
• Applications
• Energy Conversions
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
 Introduction- Solar PV Cell
• A solar cell, or photovoltaic cell, is an electrical
device that converts the energy of light
directly into electricity by the photovoltaic
effect, which is a physical and chemical
phenomenon
• Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are
absorbed by semiconducting materials, such
as silicon. Electrons are excited from their
current atomic orbit
 Representation- Solar PV Cell

Solar Chemical Electrical

 Components- Solar PV Cell
• N-Type Silicon: Rich of Electron
• P-Type Silicon: Deficiency of Electrons
• Front Electrode: Connected to N-type
• Back Electrode: Connected to P-type
 Advantages – Solar PV Cell
• Solar power is pollution free and causes no
greenhouse gases to be emitted after
installation.
• Reduced dependence on foreign oil and fossil
fuels.
• Available every day of the year
• Even cloudy days produce some powe
 Disadvantages – Solar PV Cell
• Location & Sunlight Availability
• Installation Area.
• Reliability.
• Less efficiency (18%)
• Expensive Energy Storage.
• High Initial Cost.
 Geothermal Energy
• Introduction
• Representation
• Components
• Applications
• Energy Conversions
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
 Binary Geothermal Power plant
• Use of naturally sourced hot steam generated by
activity from within the Earth's core.
• thermal energy to mechanical energy, then to
electrical energy.
• Binary plants specifically use a second working fluid
(hence, "binary") with a much lower boiling point
than water.
• Operated through a conventional Rankine cycle.
• Working fluid is a hydrocarbon such as isopentane, or
a refrigerant.
 Introduction- Geo Thermal
• The geothermal fluid (predominantly water
vapor) and working fluid pass through a heat
exchanger, where the working fluid flashes to
vapor and drives the turbines. The cooled water
vapor is then released back into the underground
reservoirs,
• The binary cycle can operate with geothermal
fluid temperatures ranging from 85°C to 170°C.
Depending on the temperatures, different
working fluids are selected based on appropriate
boiling points.
Representation- Geo Thermal Energy Plant
 Advantages- GeoThermal Energy
• Environmentally friendly compared to gas or
oil furnaces
• Not a significant source of pollution
• Efficient and renewable
• Suitable for the smallest of houses to the
largest commercial spaces
• Not weather dependent like solar or wind
power
Disadvantages- GeoThermal Energy

• High initial investment

• Water quantity required
• Depends on the location
• Damage to underground loops
• Maintenance is difficult
 Wind Energy
• Introduction
• Representation
• Components
• Applications
• Energy Conversions
• Advantages
• Disadvantages
 Introduction – Wind Energy
• High Velocity wind is required.
• High Velocity wind is available in costal areas.
• High Velocity wind strikes the rotor which is
mounted over the Hub.
• K.E. of wind is converted by wind mills to
produce mechanical energy which in turn
converted into electrical power.
Representation- Wind Energy
Wind Power Plant
 Wind Power
• Wind power P= ½*ρ*A*V3
where, ρ- density
A- swept area
V- wind velocity
Wind Power
 Components – Wind Power Plant
• Rotor :
Generally rotating blades mounted on Hub.
• Hub :
Central part of rotor, coupled with gear box shaft.
• Gear Box :
R.P.M. of shaft is increased by gear ratio.
• Supporting Structure :
Designed for support & to withstand the wind load.
• Generator :
Converts mechanical energy into electric energy.
 Advantages – Wind Power Plant
• Low maintenance & running cost.
• Ecofriendly.
• Source Available at free of cost.
• Save time & energy.
• No cost spent on fuel.
Disadvantages – Wind Power Plant
• High capital cost.

• Low energy density.

• Suitable only at high altitudes.

• The wind supply is variable, unsteady,

intermittent and some times dangerous also.
 Hydrogen Fuel
• Zero emission fuel when burned with oxygen.
• It can be used in fuel cells or internal
combustion engines
• It has begun to be used in commercial fuel cell
vehicles such as passenger cars, and has been
used in fuel cell buses for many years.
• It is also used as a fuel for spacecraft
propulsion.
 Combustion – H2 Fuel
• Hydrogen is the first element on the periodic
table, making it the lightest element. Since
hydrogen gas is so light, it rises in the
atmosphere and is therefore rarely found in its
pure form, H2.
• In a flame of pure hydrogen gas, burning in air,
the hydrogen (H2) reacts with oxygen (O2) to
form water (H2O) and releases energy.
• 2H2 (g) + O2 (g) → 2H2O (g) + energy
Hydrogen Fuel Cell
 Working Principle- H2 Fuel Cell
• A fuel cell is composed of an anode, a cathode, and
an electrolyte membrane. A fuel cell works by
passing hydrogen through the anode of a fuel cell
and oxygen through the cathode. At the anode site,
the hydrogen molecules are split into electrons and
protons. The protons pass through the electrolyte
membrane, while the electrons are forced through a
circuit, generating an electric current and excess
heat. At the cathode, the protons, electrons, and
oxygen combine to produce water molecules.
 Advantages - H2 Fuel Cell
• Zero emission fuel
• environmentally friendly
• can be used as fuel in rockets
• Efficient than petrolium
• Renewable
• Readily available
 Disadvantages- H2 Fuel Cell
• Expensive
• Difficult to store
• Highly flamable
 Biomass Energy
• Biomass is plant or animal material used for
energy production.

• It can be purposely grown energy crops, wood

or forest residues, waste from food crops,
food processing, animal farming, or human
waste
• Biomass converted into liquid fuels
Biomass Energy
 Sources – Biomass
• Wood and agricultural products
• Solid waste
• Biogas
• Biodiesel
• Ethanol
 Ways of extracting energy from Biomass

• Combustion
Combustion of biomass is used for space and
water heating, industrial processing and
electricity generation.

• Pyrolysis (produce charcoal)

The material is pulverized or shredded then fed
into a reactor vessel and heated in the absence of
air.
 ways of extracting energy from biomass
• Anaerobic Digestion
Biogas is produced when wet sewage sludge, animal dung or
green plants are allowed to decompose in a sealed tank under
anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions.
• Gasification
produces a flammable gas mixture of hydrogen, carbon
monoxide, methane and other non flammable by products.
• Fermentation
 Applications- Biomass Energy
• Cooking
• Water Heating
• Power generation
• Fuel
• Waste management
 Tidal Energy
• Tides: alternate rising and falling of sea
• They are caused by the gravitational pull of
the Sun and Moon upon the rotating earth.
Tidal Power plant
Tidal Power plant
 Numericals
1. A Steam Power Plant has Coal Consumption of 165 Tons Per Hour. Calorific Value
of Coal is 3500 kcal/kg. If the power generation is 250 MW, find overall efficiency of
the plant. Use relation 1 kcal = 4.18 kJ.
2. A small generating plant of 100 KW capacity uses gas of a calorific value of 4000
KJ/m3.The volume of gas required per hour when the plant is running at full load
condition is 450 m3 / hr. Find: (a) Input Power and (b) Overall Efficiency of the
plant.
3. A Steam Power Plant has Coal Consumption of 16200 Kg/hr with Calorific Value of
Coal as 17793.9 kJ/kg. If the speed of steam turbine is 1000 rpm and generated
torque is 477464.8293 Nm. Find: (a) Input Power, (b) Output Power and (c)
Efficiency.
4. A Steam Power Plant has Coal Consumption of 16300 Kg/hr with Calorific Value of
Coal as 17793.9 kJ/kg. If the speed of steam turbine is 1100 rpm, radial distance is
1.5m and generated force is 318309.8862 N. Find: (a) Generated Torque, (b) Input
Power , (c) Output Power and (d) Efficiency.
5. Determine the power in the wind if the wind speed is 20 m/s and blade length is
50 Air density ρ = 1.23 kg/m3.
 Grades of energy
• Low Grade Energy
-Energy which can be partly converted in to
work is called low grade energy.
- Converting in to usefull work is difficult
- available in cheap rate
Example: Heat energy, Solar energy, Fossil fuel
combustion
 High Grade Energy
• Energy that can be easily converted in to
usefull work is called high grade energy
• 100% utilisation of energy
• Expensive energy
• Example: Electrical energy, Mechanical Energy,
Hydraulic energy, Wind energy, Tidal energy
 Centrifugal Pump

*
Reciprocating Compressor

*
 Pelton Turbine

*
Pelton Turbine Bucket

*
 Numericals on pump
1. In a centrifugal pump, work done by impeller is 346kW, If mechanical efficiency is 75% find
input power of pump shaft
2. A pump running at an efficiency of 65% delivers an output of 410.4 J/s what is the power
consumption
 Numericals on compressor
1. In a single acting single cylinder reciprocating compressor, has indicated
power 5.8 kW and brake power 6.25kW find mechanical efficiency
2. Find the mechanical efficiency if the power supplied to reciprocating
compressor is 18kW and power actually utilised to run the compressor is
10kW