Department of Mechanical Engineering

College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

Name: Seila Molina Home Based Midterm Exam (ME 152)

(Power Plant Engineering)
Problem Solving. Solve the following problems show your solution.

If you are finished with your solution, you may submit through this email also.

1. The ultimate analysis of coal is given below:

C = 68.5% S = 1.5% Ash = 12.0%
H = 2.5% O = 3.5%
What is the higher value of coal in KJ/kg?
Solution:
O
(
Qh = 33,820 C + 144,212 H − + 9, 04 S
8 )
0.035
= (33,820)(0.685) + (144,212 0.025− ( 8 )
+ (9,304)(0.015)

2. A coal with the following % weight composition is burned with air whose dry and wet bulb temperature are 78 oF & 68
o
F, respectively.
C = 58% S = 2.0 %
H2 = 4.8% A = 8.0%
O2 = 16.2% M = 10.0%
N2 = 1.0%
Calculate for complete combustion:
a. % of water vapor in the combustion air
b. Weight of actual air (dry + water vapor) theoretically required.
Solution:
(a) 78°F db and 68°F wb
RH = 60.02%
O
(
(b) Theo A/F = 11.5 C + 34.5 H −
8 )
+ 4.3 S

0.81
(
= 11.5(0.58) + 34.5 0.024−
8 )
+ 4.3(0.02)

kg air
= 7.2347
kg coal

3. Calculate the higher heating value of liquid dodecane fuel. The chemical formula of Dodecane is C 12H24

Solution:
Weight of carbon
%C = x 100 Qh = 13,500 C + 60,890 H, Btu/lb
Weight of fuel
(12)(12)
= x 100 = (13,500)(0.84706) + (60,890)(0.15294)
( 12 )( 12 ) +(1)(26)
1.055 KJ 2.204 lb
%C = 84.706 % Qh = 20,747.8266 Btu/lb x x
1 Btu 1 kg
Weight of hydrogen
%H = x 100 Qh = 48,243.261 KJ/kg
Weight of fuel
(1)(26)
= x 100
( 12 )( 12 ) +(1)(26)
4. What is the atmospheric pressure on a planet in psi if the pressure is 100 Kpa and the gage pressure is 10 Kpa?

Solution:
Pabsolute = Pgage + Patm
Patm = 100 Kpa – 10 Kpa
Patm = 90 Kpa
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

5. A 650 Bhp diesel engine uses fuel oil of 28 oAPI gravity, fuel consumption is 0.65 lb/Bhp-hr. Cost of fuel is
₱ 7.95/liter. For continuous operation, determine the cost of fuel per day at 45 0C

Solution:
0.65 lb ₱ 7.95 24 hr 1 kg
Solving for : cost of fuel per day = 650 Bhp x x x x
Bhp−hr Li day 2.2046lb
1000 Li
x
1m 3
kg
₱ 36 , 565,816.93 3
141.5 m −day
S.G.@15.6°c = =
° API +131.5 kg
869
m3
141.5
= cost of fuel = ₱ 42, 078.04 per day
28+131.5
= 0.887

6. Calculate the theoretical air needed for the complete combustion of ethane C 2H6 for 20kg fuel.
Solution:
C2H6 + 3.5 (O2 + 3.76 N2) 2 CO2 + 3 H2O + 3.5 (3.76) N2
kg
( 3.5 ) ( 4.76 ) kmol (29 )
Theo. A/F = kmol
1kmol [ ( 2 )( 12 ) + ( 1 ) (16 ) kgf /kmol ]
kg air
Theo. A/F = 16.105 x 20 kg fuel
kg fuel
Theo. Air needed = 322.1 kg air

7. A logging firm in Isabela operates a diesel electric plant to supply its electric energy requirements. During a 24 hour
period , the plant consumed 250 gallons of fuel @ 80 oF and produced 2,700 kW-hr. Industrial fuel used is 30o API and
was purchased @ ₱ 3/liter at 60 oF. Determine the overall thermal efficiency of the plant.

Solution:
Solving for Qh ; solving for m: 60°F = 15.6°c 80°F = 26.67°c
141.5
Qh = 41,130 + 139.6 (°API), KJ/kg S.G.@15.6°c = S.G.@80°F=0.876
° API +131.5
[ 1−0.0007 (26.67−15.6) ]
141.5
= 41,130 + 139.6(30) = S.G.@80°F = 0.869
30+131.5
Qh = 45,318 KJ/kg S.G.@15.6°c = 0.876

m = ρV thermal eff. =
output
¿ put
= ( 270024KWhr−hr ) = 26.084 %
( 0.009517 kg /s ) ( 45,318 KJ /kg )

8. Air at 70o F is used to inflate an automobile tire to 30 psig. After being driven, the temperature has risen to 100 oF. What
is the resulting pressure if the tire did not stretch?

Solution: Assuming volume is constant since the tire did not strectch.
P 1 P2
=
T1 T 2

30 psig+14.7 psiatm P 2|¿|

= ¿
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

9. A certain gas at 101.325 Kpa and 16oC whose volume is 2.83 m3 are compressed into a storage vessel of 0.31 m3
capacity. Before admission the storage vessel contained the gas at a pressure and temperature of 137.8 Kpa and 24 oC.
After admission, the pressure increased to 1171.8 Kpa. What should be the final temperature of the gas in the vessel in
o
K?
Solution:
m of gas to be compressed in the storage vessel
0.99221 0.14383
PV = m1RT m3 = m 2 + m 1 = + = 1.13604/R
R R
(101.325)(2.83)
m1 =
R(16+ 273)
m1 = 0.99221/R for final temperature, t3:
m of gas in the storage PV = mRT3
(1171.8)(0.31)
PV
PV = m2RT T3 = = 1.13604 = 319.758°K
mR (R )
( R)
(137.8)(0.31)
m2 =
R(24+ 273)
10. It is required to find the theoretical volume of air at 20 oC and 100 kpa absolute pressure to burn one kg of Franklin
county coal. The volumetric analysis of coal as fired is as follows:
C = 65.65 % O = 18.61%
H = 5.87% S = 1.51%

Solution:
for m:
O
m = (A/F) = 11.5 C + 34.5 H −( )8
+ 4.3 S

0.1861
= 11.5 (0.6565) + 34.5 ( 0.0587−
8 )
+ 4.3 (0.0151)

kg air
m = 8.83727
kg fuel
kg KN −m
PV = mRT V=
mRT
=
( 8.83727 )( 0.287
kg kg ° K )
( 20+273 ) K
= 7.43135
m 3

P KN kg
100
m2
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

Name: Seila Molina

ME 152 – Power Plant Engineering
HOME WORK
1. A cooling tower needed in conjunction with an internal combustion engine power plant will be required to
cool 180 gpm water at 150oF entering temperature; atmospheric pressure is 14.7 psia, 82 oF dry bulb, 72 oF
wet bulb, forced draft fan of cooling tower with 68% cooling efficiency. Calculate make up water flow at 60 oF,
air flow, and estimate the fan power requirement. Assume air out of tower at 140 oF and 90% relative
humidity.
air out Given:
Water in 140°F, 90% RH Cooling efficiency = 68%
3 180gpm ta = 150°F = 65.56°c
ta=150°F twb= 72°F = 22.22°c
Air properties @ 140°F = 60°c; 90% RH
water out 82°F db h2 = 410.01 KJ/kg, W2 = 0.1339 kg/kg
4 72°F wb Air inlet Air properties @ 82°F = 27.78°c; 72°F = 22.22°c wb
tb h1 = 64.91 KJ/kg, W1 = 0.0145 kg/kg
Make-up water Cp = 4.187 KJ/kg°c

m1(h2-h1) = m3Cp(ta-tb) m1(h2-h1) = m3Cp(ta-tb)

t a−¿t b
Efficiency of cooling tower= ¿ m1(410.01 – 64.91)KJ/kg = (11.36 kg/s)(4.187 KJ/kg°c)(65.56-36.09)°c
t a −¿ t ¿
wb

65.56 ° c−t b
0.68 = m1 = 4.06 kg/s
65.56 ° c−22.22° c
tb = 36.09°c m5 = m1(W2-W1)
m3 = 180 gpm = 11.36 kg/s m5 = (4.06 kg/s)(0.1339 kg/kg – 0.0145 kg/kg)
m5 = 0.4848 kg/s
Air flow rate
Fan power (Pfan) =
8000
ρa t = Density of dry air @ 82°F
1

42.6439 42.6439
ρa t = = = 0.07868 lbs/ft3
1
(t 1+ 460) (82+ 460)
ρw t = Density of water vapor @ 82°F
1

Humidity ratio (W1) lb/lb = 0.0145 lb/lb

26.6525 26.6525
ρw t = = = 3.39 lbs/ft3
1
w1 ( t 1+ 460 ) (0.0145)(82+ 460)
ρmix t = Density of moist air
1

( 1+w1 ) ( ρa t )( ρw t )
1 1
=
( ρ a t + ρw t )
1 1

(1+0.0145)(0.07868)(3.39)
=
(0.07868+3.39)
= 0.07801 lbs/ft3
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

2. A 50 BHP blast furnace engine shows by test a gas consumption of 10.93 ft3 gas per BHP – hr. Heating value
of gas is 8,006 Kcal/m3. Mechanical Efficiency of the gas engine is 85.3%. Calculate:
a. Brake thermal efficiency in %
b. Indicated thermal efficiency in %
c. Heat rate of engine in Kcal/BHP-hr
d. If the heat rejected to cooling tower is 28% of the heat generated in the engine cylinder, determine quantity
of cooling water in m3/hr to be circulated if the allowable rise in temperature of the cooling water is 8 oC.

Given:
Brake power = 50 Hp x 0.7457 Kw/Hp = 37.29 kw
ft 3 m3 1 Hp 1 hr m3
gas consumption = 10.93 x 0.02832 3 x x = 1.15 x10-4
BHp−hr ft 0.7457 kw 3,600 sec kw−s
kcal KJ
Heating value of gas = 8,006 3 x 4.184 = 33497.1 KJ/m3
m kcal
37.29 kw
Brake power 3 37.29 kw
m Kj =
(a) Brake thermal efficiency (ntb) =
ms ¿ ¿ ( =
1.15 x 1 0
−4
kw−s ) ( )
( 37.29 kw ) 33,497.1 3 143.7 KJ /s
m
or

37.29 kw
= 25.95%
143.7 kw
Brake power 37.29 kw
(b) Indicated Power = = = 43.72 kw
nm 0.853
Indicated power 43.72 kw
Indicated thermal efficiency (n ti) = = = 30.42%
ms ¿ ¿ 143.7 kw

3. In a Rankine Cycle, steam enters the turbine at 2.5 MPa and 250 oC and condenser pressure of 50 KPa. What
is the thermal efficiency of the Cycle?

Given:
P1 = 2.5 MPa QA = h1 – h4 = (2880.1 - 343.0135) KJ/kg = 2,537.0865 KJ/kg
T1 = 250°c QR = h2 – h3 = (2225.65 – 340.49) KJ/kg = 1885.16 KJ/kg
QR 1885.16 KJ / kg
P2 = 50 KPa = 0.05 MPa thermal efficiency = 1 - =1- = 0.2569 =
QA 2537.0865 KJ /kg
25.69%
Solution:
At P1 = 2.5 MPa, T1 = 250°c:
h1 = 2880.1 KJ/kg
S1 = 6.4085
At P2 = 50 KPa = 0.05 MPa:
Sf = 1.0910; Sg = 7.5939
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

4. A 16” x 14” double acting simple steam engines with a piston rod of 3” in diameter operates at 250 rpm to
give an output of 200 BHP when 225 Indicated HP are developed within the cylinder.
a) Find the friction HP and the mechanical efficiency of the engine.
b) The engine indicator diagrams average 4” long and are taken with a spring having a scale of 80 psi, what are
the diagram areas if 5 HP more are produced with in the head end than in the crank end of the engine cylinder
Solution:
a) Friction Hp = IHP – BHP = 22- 200 = 25 HP
BHP 200
n me= = X 100=88.88 %
IHP 225
b) Diagram Areas:
A (S) = PL
For the head end:
IHP = 225 + 5 = 230 HP

IHP = ( PLAN )=230 HP

P = 230HP x 33,000 (ft −lb)/¿ = 129.4 psi
Area of the head end, Ahe
PL ¿
Ahe = =129.4 lb /¿2 ( 4 )∈ ¿ L = 14 in S = Spring scale
S 2
80 lb/¿ ¿ /¿=6.47 ¿ ¿
2

pressure
For the crank end:
IHP = PLAN = 225 HP
225 X 33,000
P= −−−− A
( 14 ) ( A ) (250 )
π 2 2 2 2 2
A = Aengine −A pistonrod = [ ( 16 ¿ −3 ¿ ) ]=193.99 ¿
4
From A;
225 X 33,000 x 12
P= =131.23psi
( 14 ) ( 193.99 )( 250 )
Area of crank end, Ace
PL 131.23(4)
Ace = = =6.56 ¿ 2
S 80
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

Name: Seila Molina STEAM ENGINES HOMEWORK

5. A fuel Qh = 6,888 kcal/kg was burned in the furnace of a 223 m2 water tube boiler which was generating
5,443 kg steam per hour at 14.06 kg/cm2 ab, d and s, from 109°c feed at a time when fuel consumption was
612 kg/hr. (a) Find kcal rating and percent rating (b) calculated over-all thermal efficiency.

Solution:
Qh = 6,888 kcal/kg = 28,819.39 KJ/kg
HS = 223 m2
ms = 5,443 kg/hr
P2 = 14.06 kg/cm2 = 1.38 MPa
T1 = 109°c = 382K
mf = 612 kg/hr
HS 223 m 3
RBH = = =245.05 Hp = 43.67 kcal/sec
0.91 0.91
@ 1.38 MPa; hs = 2,788.44 KJ/kg
@ 382K; hf = 456.5 KJ/kg
m s ( hs −hf ) 5,443( 2,788.44−456.5)
Developed Boiler Hp = = =359.34 Hp
35,322 35,322
Developed Boiler Hp 359.34 hp
Percent Rating = = x 100 = 146.64%
Ra ted Boiler Hp 245.05
m s ( hs −hf ) 5,443(2,788.44−456.5)
Boiler Thermal Efficiency = x 100= x 100=71.96 %
mf Qh ( 612)(28,819.39)
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

8. A simple water tube boiler of 1858 m2 heat surface is offered by a salesman for installation in a steam plant
where 36,287 kg of D and S steam are to be produced at 13.36 kg/cm 2 ga from 99°c feed water using the
Badcock formula verify whether this area is adequate by assuming mass flow 24,412 kg per hour per m 2,
furnace and chimney temperatures of 982°c and 232°c.

Solution:
Given:
HS = 1858 m2
ms = 36,287 kg/hr
T1 = 99°c = 372K @ 99°c = 372K; hf = 414.25 KJ/kg
2
P2 = 13.36 kg/cm = 1.31MPa @ 13.36 kg/cm2 = 1.31MPa; hs = 2,786.75 KJ/kg
Mass flow = 24,412 kg/cm2
Furnace temp = 982°c
Chimney temp = 232°c
Qs = ms(hs - hf) = 36,287(2,786.75 – 414.25)(1hr/3600sec) = 23,914.4 KJ/s
Q = UA(tf – tc) Badcock’s formula
Q
U= U = A + BG
A ( t f −t c )
23,914.4 KJ / sec
= A = 0.0113 KJ/ m2sec°c; B = 0.005858 KJ/kg°c; G = 24,412 kg/hr = 6.78
(1858)(982−232)
kg/secm2
= 0.01716 KW/m2°c U = 0.01134 + (0.005858)(6.78) = 0.05106 kw/m 2°c

0.01716 kw/m2°c < 0.05106 kw/m2°c

11. A 260 m2 w.t boiler is rated at 8165 kg steam per hour at 7 kg/cm2 ga, 0.98 dryness factor. Feed water,
107°c. Express the capacity as (a) kcal, (b) bo hp, (c) percent rating, (d) equivalent evaporation.

Solution:
Given:
HS = 260 m2
ms = 8,165 kg/hr
P2 = 7 kg/cm2 = 0.6865 MPa
T1 = 107°c = 380K
x = 0.97
@ 7 kg/cm2 or 0.6865 MPa
hs = 2,761.93 KJ/kg
@107°c = 380K
hs = 448.03 KJ/kg
Boiler Capacity = ms(hs – hf)(x) = (8,165 kg/hr x 1hr/3600sec)(2,761.93 – 448.03)(0.97) = 5090.61 KJ/s = 1,216.68 kcal/s
HS 260
Rated Boiler Hp = = =285.71 Hp
0.91 0.91
m ( h −hf ) ( 8,165 ) (2,761.93−448.03)(0.97)
Developed Boiler Hp = s s = =520.31 Hp
35,222 35,222
Developed Boiler Hp 520.31 Hp
Percent Rating = = x 100=182.12 %
Rated Boiler Hp 285.71 Hp
h −hf (2,761.93−448.03)
FE = s = =1.03
2257 2257
Equivalent evaporation = ms x FE x e = (8,165 kg/hr)(1.03)(0.97) = 8,157.05 kg/hr or 2.27 kg/s
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

Name: Seila Molina GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT HOMEWORK

It is desired to generate 5,000 kW of electric power from geothermal fields that emit steam at 4 bars and 95%
quality. Turbine generator combine mechanical and electrical efficiency is 95% and the turbine efficiency is
75%, condenser pressure is 0.14 bar. Determine the number of steam wells required if each steam well emits
3356 kg/hr of steam and that 5% of this steam is evaporated in the storage tank for purification before
entering the turbine. Neglect heat and friction losses in the piping.

Throttle
Mg 1 2 Ms
5,000 kW
3

6 Tur
Mw bine QR
Reinjection
4
 Department of Mechanical Engineering
College of Engineering
Western Mindanao State University
Normal Road, Baliwasan, Zamboanga City

Reinjection
well

At 4 bars:
h3 =h g=¿2,738.6 KJ/kg

Solving for h4:

@ 4 bars = 6.8959
@ 0.14 bar; Sf = 0.7366, Sfg = 7.2959
S3=S 4=S g
S3=( S f + xS fg )4
6.8959 = 0.7366 + x 4 ( 7.2959 )
x 4 =0.844
@ 0.14 bar; hf = 219.99, hfg = 2376.6
h = h f + x hfg
h 4=219.99+0.844 ( 2376.6 )=2225.8 KJ /k

Solving for the mass flow rate to the turbine mg;

W T =M S ( h 3−h 4 )( e m )( et )
5,000 = MS (2738.6 -2225.8) (0.95) (0.75)
MS = 13.7 kg/sec

Solving for quality x2 (after throttling)

ms =x2 ( mg )
13.7 = 0.95 mg
3600 s
M g = 14.4 k/sec x = 51,840 kg/hr + 0.05 (51,840)
1hr
54,432kg /hr
=
3356 kg/hr
= 16.21 ≈ 17 steam wells