INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR.

KEERTHI KUMAR N

BMS
Institute of Technology and Management

Department of Mechanical Engineering

NOTES
of

INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL
ENGINEERING
BESCK204D

by

Dr. Keerthi Kumar N

Assistant Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering
BMS Institute of Technology and Management
Yelahanka, Bangalore

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

Module 1

Energy Sources

Introduction
Energy exists in the earth or comes from the outer space. The energy existing in the earth is called capital
energy and that which comes from the outer space is called celestial or income energy.
Example of capital energy: fossil fuels, nuclear fuels and heat traps.
Example of celestial or income energy: Electromagnetic energy, gravitational energy, particle energy
and potential energy of meteorites.
The useful celestial energy sources are the electromagnetic energy of the Sun, called direct solar energy.
The gravitational energy of the Moon produces tidal energy. The other sources such as wind energy,
hydel energy, geothermal energy, biofuels etc. are derived from the direct solar energy.

Forms of Energy
The various forms of energy are as follows:
1. Electrical energy
2. Chemical energy
3. Mechanical energy
i. Potential energy
ii. Kinetic energy
iii. Thermal energy
4. Nuclear energy
5. Electromagnetic energy
6. Transitional energy
7. Capital energy
8. Celestial energy
9. Stored energy, etc.

Sources of Energy
The main sources of energy are
 Earth: It is the source for fossil fuels, nuclear fuels, and geothermal energy.

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

 Sun: It is the source for hydel power, wind power, solar power, ocean thermal power, bio- fuels.
 Gravitational force effect is the source for tidal power, wave power.
 Planetary motion effect is the source for tidal energy.

Classification of Energy Sources

Energy sources are classified as
1. According to availability and usage with respect to time
I. Conventional energy sources
II. Non-conventional energy sources
2. According to possibility of renewability
I. Renewable energy sources
II. Non-renewable energy sources

Conventional energy sources: The sources of energy which provide a net supply of energy are called
conventional sources of energy: These are useful for mass generation of power. Ex: Fossil fuels, nuclear
fuels and hydro energy are conventional sources of energy.

Non-conventional energy sources: The sources of energy which provide energy in a dilute form are
called non-conventional sources of energy. These are useful for generating power in lesser magnitude.
Ex: Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, tidal energy, etc are non- conventional sources of
energy.

Renewable sources of energy are those which are continuously restored by nature. They are also called
inexhaustible sources of energy. Example: Solar energy, Hydrogen energy, Wind energy, Tidal energy,
Biomass, Hydel, Ocean thermal, Geo thermal and Wood. etc.
 Solar Energy: It is the heat energy radiated from sun.
 Hydel Energy: I: is the energy obtained from water.
 Wind Energy: It is the energy obtained from flow of wind.
 Biomass energy: It is the energy obtained from organic matter of plants and animals.
Non-renewable sources of energy are those which occur once in nature and on usage they practically
cease to form under new geological conditions. They are also called as exhaustible sources of energy.
Example: Fossil fuels, Nuclear fuels and Heat traps.

Advantages of Renewable Energy Sources

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

1. The renewable energy sources are non-exhaustible.

2. Renewable energy sources can be matched in scale to the need and also can deliver the energy
required for a specific task.
3. Some of the renewable energy conversion systems can be built on or close to the site where energy
is required.
4. The diversity and technologies of renewable energy conversion systems offer more flexibility in
designing the conversion systems compared to the conventional energy conversion systems.
5. The local or regional self-sufficiency can be achieved by harnessing locally available renewable
energy, which otherwise would be left unutilized.
6. Except biomass energy, all other renewable energy sources offer pollution-free environment and
maintain ecological balance.

Disadvantages of Renewable Energy Sources

1. Some of the energy sources are intermittently available (i.e. not continuously available). E.g. solar
energy, tidal energy, wind energy etc.
2. There is a limit to the rate at which solar energy is received at the Earth.
3. Renewable energy sources like wind energy, tidal energy etc. are concentrated only in certain
regions.
4. State-of-the-art technology in harnessing the renewable sources is yet to be developed to meet the
present day energy requirements.
5. Solar cells, automatic tracking systems for solar energy etc. require advanced technologies, which
are sophisticated and costly.
6. Application of renewable energy sources in transportation sector is not viable as of today.

Differences Between Renewable and Non-Renewable Sources of Energy

Renewable energy sources Non-renewable energy

sources
Inexhaustible in nature. Exhaustible in nature.
Most of the renewable energy sources are freely Most of the non-renewable energy sources are
and readily available in nature. not readily available in nature.
Non-reliable since energy concentration varies Reliable, since energy concentration is almost
from region to region and time to time. constant in all regions.
Initial costs of extracting energy are high. Initial costs are comparatively less.
Rarely used due to limitations in their Widely used due to maximum availability of
equipment’s. their equipment’s.
Energy transmission cost is less. Energy transmission cost is relatively more.

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

Eco-friendly in nature. Not eco-friendly in nature.

Maintenance cost is low. Maintenance cost is high.
Energy conversion equipment’s are not well Energy conversion equipment’s are well
developed. developed.
Energy conversion equipment’s are of low Energy conversion equipment’s are of
efficiency. relatively high efficiency.
E.g. direct solar energy, wind energy, tidal E.g. Fossil fuels (coal, petroleum and
energy, hydel energy, ocean thermal energy, bio petroleum products), nuclear fuels and heat
energy, geothermal energy, peat, fuel wood, fuel traps.
cells, solid wastes, hydrogen
energy etc.

Fuel
One of the most important sources of energy are fuels which are used in various forms and have wide
applications from cooking to heating houses and power generation. Fuels basically produce heat which
is being generated in two ways:
1. Fuels combine mainly with oxygen resulting in chemical reaction and thereby heat is
produced.
2. Nuclear fuels produce heat by fission or fusion of their nuclei.
Fuel is defined as a substance which mostly consists of carbon and hydrogen which on burning
with oxygen produces a large amount of heat. Nuclear fuels are not considered under this category.

Properties of Fuels
Fuels require different properties for specific applications. However, the following properties in
general are useful for a fuel:
1. It should liberate high amount of energy per unit mass.

2. Heat production should be eco-friendly.

3. It should be easy to transport and handle.

4. It should be available in large quantity to meet the energy demand.

5. It should be corrosion-resistant.

6. It should not be pungent.

7. It should be less volatile.

8. It should have high evaporation temperature in the operating range.

9. It should be non-toxic and non-poisonous.

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

10. It should not be chemically explosive.

Classification of Fuels
Fuels are classified according to their existence as natural fuels and artificial fuels. Natural fuels exist in
original form such as wood, fatty oils, coal etc. Artificial or manufactured fuels are products of
distillation or other processes such as, coke, petrol, diesel, oven gas, flue gas, benzene, toluene, etc.
Majorly fuels are classified according to their existence as,
1. Solid fuels
2. Liquid fuels, and
3. Gaseous fuels.

1. Solid fuels: some of the widely used solid fuels are as follows,
i. Wood: Wood is a good domestic fuel particularly used in rural areas where it is found abundantly
and cheaply. It’s by-products like methyl alcohol, acetic acid, etc., obtained by destructive
distillation of wood, and is used in industries. The major limitation of using wood as a fuel is high
moisture content and low calorific value. Also, fuel wood releases large quantity of smoke, which
may pose health hazards.
ii. Coal: is the most extensively (widely) used fuel in industries and steam generation plants. It is
produced by natural decay of plants over millions of years and compacted under pressure and
temperature below the Earth’s surface. The main constituents of coal are carbon (around 50%),
hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, moisture (5-40%) and ash (20-30%). The various forms/types
of coal are mined and used with little or no modification.

2. Liquid fuels: Liquid fuels are mostly found beneath the Earth’s surface and Is tapped out by drilling
wells. They are formed from animals and vegetative debris, which were buried millions of years ago and
undergo pressure and temperature effects to convert them to petroleum. Petroleum will have impurities
and are filtered out during fractional distillation to obtain petrol (gasoline), diesel, kerosene, paraffin oil
etc. Liquid fuels like coal tar, benzol etc. are obtained from coal.
i. Petrol (gasoline): It is also known as gasoline and is the most volatile liquid fuel. It is chiefly
used as an I.C. engine fuel to drive automobiles. Gasoline is obtained from fractional distillation of
petroleum and is the lightest of all fuels obtained out of distillation. Gasoline is als obtained from
natural gas, which is condensed and compressed to produce volatile liquid.

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

ii. Kerosene (paraffin oil): Kerosene is also known as paraffin oil. It is obtained by fractional
distillation of petroleum. It is heavier than gasoline and lighter than diesel oil. It is less volatile
compared to gasoline. Kerosene is used as a household fuel for domestic purposes.
iii. Diesel oil: Most commonly known as diesel, diesel oil is obtained after gasoline and kerosene
during fractional distillation of petroleum. It may be obtained by direct distillation, cracking or
blending several oils. The name “diesel” is given to it since it is extensively used in diesel engines
(engines working on Diesel cycle). Specially synthesized diesel is used as aircraft fuel.
iv. Alcohol: Alcohol is one of the liquid fuels prepared by fermentation of vegetable matters. It is
costlier than gasoline and has low energy content (i.e. low calorific value). It is an industrial fuel
and is hardly used for domestic purposes.

3. Gaseous fuels: Gaseous fuels are classified as:

i. Natural gas: It is obtained from specific locations and beneath the Earth’s surface. The Earth is
deep drilled to tap out natural gas. Natural gas is mixture of methane, ethane, propane and traces of
hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
ii. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): The petroleum gas which can be easily liquefied by merely
compressing them to 4 or 5 atmospheric pressure is called Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Liquefaction is carried out to increase the amount of energy contained in the gaseous form. LPG
contains much higher energy which is contained in the same quantity of a gaseous fuel.
LPG is easy to store, transport and can be used in cooking, burning etc. It is transported in the liquid
form and is converted to its gaseous form when the gas is released or when it expands. LPG mainly
consists of propane and butane. It also contains other hydrocarbons as impurities, but it is free from
lead and sulfur.
LPG is used as a domestic as well as an industrial fuel. LPG is a clean burning fuel, with minimal
products of combustion like smoke, ash etc. Hence, it is pollution-free. It can be used in petrol
engines with slight modification of the engine, but it cannot be used in diesel engines. LPG is used
compressed to the order of 10, has high octane number and hence high calorific value of about 44
MJ/kg.
Other advantages: Cost of LPG is less (about 75% of cost of petrol), less polluting (about 15% less
than pollution caused by petrol) and produces less amount of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons
than petrol.
iii. Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is one the names given to natural gas containing hydrocarbons,
which is pressurized to high pressures of the order of 200 bar. Natural gas is compressed to increase
its energy density. It is also known as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), which is liquefied at high
pressure and low temperature to further its energy density. It is also called Piped Natural Gas (PNG)
when it is transported in pipelines. Natural gas is obtained around and in petroleum wells.
CNG mainly consists of methane. CNG and LNG have almost the same properties. Natural gas
comprises of 90% methane, 4% ethane, 1.7% propane and traces of other hydrocarbons like butane
and propane. CNG is non-toxic, colorless and lighter than air. When it leaks, it escapes to the
atmosphere and hence, chances of catching fire are less. It is very efficient as an I.C. engine fuel
and is pollution-free.
The octane number of CNG is high and hence used as an I.C. engine fuel. It also burns providing
high amount of heat. It is mostly used a dual fuel (diesel + CNG) in engines. It can be compressed
to high pressures of about 200 bar to increase its energy density. CNG can also be used in petrol
engines (as a dual fuel).
The main disadvantage of CNG is its storage tank. It has to be robust and hence becomes quite
heavy when designed to withstand pressures of the order of 200 bar. Moreover, CNG gas refill
stations are less in number compared to petrol and diesel bunks/stations.

Solar Power
In general the energy produced and radiated by sun, more specifically, the term refers to the sun’s energy
that reaches the earth. Solar energy received in the form of radiation can be converted directly or
indirectly into other forms of energy, such heat and electricity, which can be utilized by man. Since, the
sun is expected to radiate at an essentially constant rate for a few billion years, it may be regarded as an
in exhaustible sources of useful energy.
The major drawbacks of the extrusive application of solar energy are:
1) The intermittent and variable manner in which it arrives at the earth’s surface.
2) The large area required to collect the energy at a useful rate

Utilization of solar energy

1. Helio-chemical process: Photosynthesis, (Process seen in plants)
2. Helio-thermal process: Solar Heating, (Solar liquid flat plate collectors)
3. Helio-electric process: Solar Photo Voltaic, (Solar Photovoltaic cell to generate electricity)

Liquid Flat Plate Collector

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

Where temperatures below 70°C are adequate, as they are for space and service water heating flat plate
collectors, which are of the non-concentrating type, are particularly convenient. They are made in
rectangular panels, from about 1.7 to 2.9 m2, in area, and are very simple in construction. These types of
collectors absorb both beam and diffuse radiation.

The main parts of flat plate collectors are:

1. Absorber plate: It is meant to intercept and absorb incident solar radiation. It is primarily a blackened
heat absorbing plate usually made of copper, aluminum or steel. It may also be given a coating to
minimize the emission of heat from its surface.

2. Transparent cover: It is made of one or more transparent sheets of glass or plastic. It is placed above
the absorber plate. The cover allows radiation to reach the absorber plate but it prevents any re-radiation
and heat loss due to convection.

3. Fluid tubes or channels: Fluid tubes or channels are arranged in thermal contact with the absorber
plate so that heat can be transferred from the absorber plate to the fluid in the tubes or channels.

4. Thermal insulation: The thermal insulation is provided under the absorber plate and fluid tubes to
minimize any heat loss by transmission or convection from the absorber plate and fluid tubes.

5. Tight container or box: All the above components of the collector are protected by a tight container
or box as shown in Fig. 1.

The characteristic of flat plate collectors are as follows:

 It absorbs both direct and diffuse radiation.

 It doesn’t need any sun tracking system. Hence, it is mathematically stronger than other collectors
which require tracking system.

 It has simple construction requiring a little maintenance.

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

Fig. 1 Schematic of flat plate collector

Wind Energy
Wind energy is the energy contained in the force of the winds blowing across the earth surface. Wind
energy is defined as the kinetic energy associated with the movement of large masses of air over the
earth’s surface. The circulation of the air in the atmosphere is caused by the non-uniform heating of
the earth’s surface by the sun. The air immediately above warm area expands and becomes less dense.
It is then forced upwards by a cool denser air which flows in from the surrounding areas causing wind.
Power in the wind:
Wind possesses kinetic energy by virtue of its motion. Any device capable of slowing down the mass
of moving air, like a sail or propeller, can extract part of this energy and convert into useful work.
The kinetic energy of one cubic meter of air blowing at a velocity V is given
by, E =
In one second, a volume element of air moves a distance of V m. The total volume crossing a plane,
one square meter in area and oriented normal to the velocity vector in one second is therefore V m3.
The rate at which the wind energy is transferred, i.e., wind power is given by,
P=EV
P=

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

No device, however well designed can extract all the wind energy because the wind would have to be
brought to halt and this would block the passage of incoming air through the rotor. It has been found
that for maximum power output the exit velocity is equal to one- third of the entrance velocity. Thus
a maximum of 60% of the available energy in the wind is converted into mechanical energy.

Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of wind mill

Working: The wind turns the blades, which spin turbine shaft. This shaft is directly coupled to a
generator where electricity is generated.

The energy in the wind turns two or three propellers-like blades around a rotor. The rotor is connected
to the main shaft, which spins a generator to produce electricity. Wind turbines are mounted on a tower
to capture maximum energy from the wind. At 100 feet (30 meters) or more above the ground . They
can take advantage of faster and less turbulent wind. A blade acts much like an airplane wing. As the
wind blows a pocket of low pressure air forms on the downwind side of the blade.

The low-pressure air pocket then pulls the blade toward it, causing the rotor to turn. This is called lift.
The force of the lift is actually much stronger than the wind's force against the front side of the blade,
which is called drag. The combination of lift and drag causes the rotor to spin like a propeller, and the
turning shaft spins a generator to make electricity. Fig. 2 shows schematic diagram of wind mill.
Wind turbines can be used to produce electricity for a single home or building, or they can be connected to
an electricity grid for more widespread electricity distribution. Wind speed and the height of the blades both
contribute to the amount of energy generated.

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

Advantages

 Operation and maintenance costs are less.

 Fuel cost is nil and is non-polluting.
 Helps in generating power to houses located off-shore and on-shore remote areas.
 Reliable at elevated sites.
Limitations

 Noisy during operation.

 Large hilly areas are require d for large power generation.
 Needs storage batteries.
 Fluctuations in amount of power generated due to time of the day, location etc

Hydro Electric Energy

Hydraulic energy is the indirect source of solar energy. The water from the earth's surface gets evaporated
by solar heat and forms as clouds. This in term results in rainfall. The rain water flowing as river is stored at
high head behind the dams, which is known as reservoir. The water stored with high potential energy in the
reservoir is supplied to turbine through a penstock. The hydraulic energy of water being absorbed by the
turbine and converted into mechanical energy. A generator is directly coupled mechanical energy of turbine
into electrical energy. After doing useful work water is discharged to the tailrace. Fig. 3 shows schematic
diagram of hydroelectric power plant.
The water flowing in the river possesses two type of energy:
(1) The kinetic energy due to flow of water and
(2) Potential energy due to the height of water.
The kinetic energy and potential energy of water is utilized to generate electricity.

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 INTRODUCTION TO MECHANICAL ENGINEERING (BESCK204D) DR. KEERTHI KUMAR N

Fig.3 Hydroelectric power plant

Advantages
1. Environment-friendly.
2. Hydraulic turbines are robust. As they are operating at low speed, there are less mechanical
problems.
3. Hydro reservoirs help in agriculture and to control floods.
4. Maintenance and operating cost is low.
Limitations
1. Leads to deforestation and relocation of people living in surrounding regions.
2. Requires large quantity of water
3. Rainfall affects the delivery of power
4. Construction of dams is costly.
5. As the sites of hydro electric stations are usually far away from the load centers, the cost of
transmission is high.

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