 What is Mechanical Engineering

answer: Mechanical Engineering is the branch of engineering which deals with

the designing, constructing, maintaining and manufacturing various
mechanical systems.

 What is the difference between machine and engine?

Answer: Engine converts heat energy to Mechanical Energy but machine

converts all forms of energy to mechanical energy except heat energy.

 What is viscosity? What is Newton’s law of viscosity?

answer: Viscosity is the property of the fluid which measures the resistance of
the fluid to the gradual deformation due to the shear stress.

Newtons Law of Viscosity states that: the shear stress on the fluid is
proportional to the velocity gradient.

 What are Newtonian and non-newtonian fluids ? Give examples.

answer: Newtonian fluids follow the newtons law of viscosity and non-
newtonian fluids do not follow the law.

Newtonian fluid: Water, air, etc. Non-Newtonian Fluid: blood, tar, paste, etc.

 What is Pump? What is a turbine? / What is the difference between the

turbine and the pump?

answer: Pump is a device which transfers mechanical energy to the fluid. The
turbine does the opposite. It transfers the flow energy of the fluid to
mechanical energy.

 What are turbo machines?

answer: Turbomachines are devices which transfer energy to or from the fluid
by the dynamic action of rotating blades.

 How the characteristics of a flow is determined?

answer: By Reynolds Number. If Re <2300 then the flow is laminar. if 2300
<Re<4000 then the flow is transient and if Re>4000 then the flow is turbulent.

 What is the Reynolds number?

answer: Reynolds Number is the ratio of inertia force to viscous force. Re

= ρvL/μ

 What is Bernoulli’s equation? Why it is used?

answer: pressure head + velocity head + datum head = constant

P1/γ + (v2 )1/2g + z1 = P2/γ +( v2)2 /2g + z1 = constant

 What is the difference between the centrifugal pump and +ve

displacement pump?

answer: In Centrifugal pump the flow rate changes with the head but in a
positive displacement pump the flow rate remains the same.

 What is cavitation in centrifugal pump? Why priming is done in

centrifugal pump?

answer: If the suction side develops a pressure less than the vapor pressure of
the water then water will start to boil and create water bubbles and it will
spoil the impeller material. It is called cavitation.

When the impeller rotates it adds a rotating motion to the adjacent fluid and
as a result, K.E and Pressure in the fluid increases and negative pressure are
developed in the suction side of the impeller. So water/fluid flows
continuously through the impeller. But when the pipe is filled with air, the
impeller rotates but the pressure difference is negligible as a result no water
flows through the pump. That’s why priming is done.

 What is the difference between the heat engine & heat pump?
answer: Heat Engine produces work and transfers energy from high temp. to
low temp source medium. In a Heat pump, external work is needed to transfer
energy from low to high temp. medium.

 What is the difference between an Impulse Turbine and Reaction

Turbine?

Answer: In Impulse Turbine, all the pressure energy is converted to kinetic

energy but in reaction turbine, a part of the pressure energy is converted to
kinetic energy and rest remains as pressure energy.

 What is NPSH?

Answer: NPSH = Net Positive Suction Head. It is the measure of minimum

pressure which is required at the suction pipe to keep the pump from
cavitation.

 What is draft tube?

Answer: The draft tube is a conduit used in reaction turbine. The main feature
of the draft tube is, it has a shape of increasing area at the end like a diffuser.
You have know the classification and uses of draft tube if you are working in a
hydraulic power plant.

That’s it for today mechanical engineers. Keep following basic mechanical

engineering and you will get more info about mechanical engineering
questions. mechanical engineering interview questions part 2 is coming up
(see the link on the top). If you like/dislike the article please comment and let
me know your thoughts.

mechanical engineering interview questions – Refrigeration

 What is Refrigeration? What is the unit of refrigeration?

Refrigeration is the process where heat is transferred from low temperature to
high-temperature medium with the help of external work. Its unit is ton of
refrigeration.

 What is COP?

answer: COP = Coefficient of Performance. It is used to measure the

performance of a refrigeration system. It is generally expressed by the ratio of
evaporation work or refrigeration effect to the compressor work or network.

 What is a ton of refrigeration?

answer: 1 ton of refrigeration means heat absorbed while melting 1 ton (2000
lb) of ice at zero degree Celsius at 24 hours.

 What is BTU?

answer: BTU = British Thermal Unit; 1 BTU is the amount of heat required to
raise the temperature of one lb water by one degree Fahrenheit.

 What is sub-cooling and superheating in refrigeration system ? Why

these are used?

answer: Sub-cooling or under cooling is done before throttling or expanding

the refrigerant and it ensures that no vapor enters the expansion valve.

Super-heating is done before compression and it ensures that no liquid enters

the compressor.

 Which thermodynamic cycle is implied in the refrigeration system?

answer: Reversed Carnot or Reversed Rankin Cycle.

 Draw the T-S diagram and schematic arrangement of reversed Carnot

Cycle and Reversed Rankin Cycle in a basic vapor compression
refrigeration system.
 Draw the T-S, P-h diagram of refrigeration system with sub-cooling and
super-heating in vapor compression refrigeration system.
answer: T-S and P-h diagram with subcooling and superheating.

 What is the most commonly used refrigerant?

answer: R134a

 What is Vapor compression and Vapor Absorption Refrigeration system ?

(Difference between) / What are the advantages of Vapor absorption
systems over Vapor compression?

answer: Please follow this link for the answer – Vapor Compression Vs Vapor
Absorption Refrigeration System

 Detect absorbers and refrigerant in these systems – Li-Br and NH3 –

H2O.

answer: In Li-Br – Water is the refrigerant and Li-Br is the absorbent.

In NH3 – H2O: NH3 is the refrigerant and water is absorber.

 What is the LMTD method?

answer: LMTD refers to Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference. It is used

to measure the temperature difference in double pipe heat exchangers. The
more the LMTD the more heat will be transferred.

 What is the difference between a cooler and an air conditioner?

answer: For a cooler to become air conditioner it must meet the following
requirements :

It must control the 1. temperature 2. Humidity 3. the motion of air 4. purity of

air.

 What is the difference between cooling tower and condenser?

answer: Condenser is a heat exchanger which converts saturated vapor into

liquid. For doing so the condenser temperature must be below than the
saturation temp.
A cooling tower is a device in which recirculating condenser water is cooled by
the evaporative method with direct contact to the atmosphere.

 What is a chiller?

answer: Chiller is a device/machine for cooling something. ( I will be writing

some articles about chillers very soon)

Mechanical engineers! The third part is coming up very soon. So stay with
basic mechanical engineering. Thanks! Enjoy !! Cheers !!!

Which law must be satisfied to build a refrigeration system?

answer: Second Law of Thermodynamics (Clausius Statement).

What are the different systems in Thermodynamics?

answer: The analysis of the thermodynamics process depends on the transfer

of mass and energy through the boundary of the system. According to the
transfer of the mass and energy, the systems are classified as an open system,
closed system, and isolated system. Examples:

Open System: water pump

Closed System: Tea Kettle

Isolated system: Physically or practically not possible.

Significant Mechanical Engineering Interview Questions (Refrigeration)

Name the Cycles used in refrigeration systems .

Ans : Reversed Carnot Cycle .

Draw the P-V Diagram of Reversed Carnot Cycle .

p-v diagram for reverse carnot cycle

Ans :

Why Reversed Carnot Cycle is not possible practically ?

Ans : It is not because adiabatic processes are not possible to obtain due to
losses in the pipes condensers, compressors and evaporator.

Which Cycle is used in Air – Refrigeration System ?

Ans : Bell – Coleman Cycle

In refrigeration system why heat rejected is more than heat absorbed ?

Ans: For cooling purpose it is necessary to reject more heat than the heat
absorbed. Mathematically Heat Rejected = Heat absorbed + Work Done .

How Defrosting is done in a refrigerator ?

Ans : Defrosting is done by stopping the compressor for a short time.

Why Copper is not used in ammonia refrigeration system ? / Which metal is

used in the pipelines when the refrigerant is ammonia ?

Ans . In ammonia refrigeration system Steel is used as the pipe line material
because ammonia attacks copper.

What is the difference between heat pump and refrigerators ?

Ans : Heat pumps gives heat by taking work input on the other hand
refrigerator ejects heat by taking heat input.

What is basis of Refrigeration System ? (Important mechanical engneerin)

Ans : Second Law of Thermodynamics .

Show the Practical Refrigeration Cycle With T-S and P-h diagram with
Subcooling and Super Heating .

Ans : Please Follow This Link : T-S and P-h Diagram with Subcooling and
Superheating for VC

Describe Dry and Wet Compression in Refrigeration System .

Ans : The starting point of compression in the T-S diagram determines the final
state of vapor after compression. If the final state of vapor is dry and saturated
then the compression is known as wet compression and if the final state of
vapor is super heated then it is known as dry compression.

The refrigerant enters as a vapor in compressor from the evaporator. If the

vapor draw into the compressor is drier than the initial condition on the same
pressure range the vapor becomes superheated.

How to improve Refrigerating effect ?

Ans : By applying superheating and subcooling.

What is Undercooling or Subccooling is refrigeration system ? How Subcooling

or undercooling is done ?

Ans: The COP can be improved by undercooling or pre-cooling. It is the process

where the liquid refrigerant is allowed to cool below the saturation
temperature. Subcooling is done by circulating greater amount of cooling
agent i.e water through the condenser or by using water cooler than natural
temperature water.

What is advantage of vapor compression refrigeration system ?

 Ans: Smaller size for a given refrigeration effect , Higher COP, Lower power
consumption, Less Complicated in design and operation.

Basic Mechanical Engineering Questions

Basic Refrigeration and Air conditioning Questions

What is the basic difference in Vapor compression and Vapor absorption

Refrigeration System ?

Ans : These two refrigeration systems are different in power consumption,

COP, Mechanical parts, Performance while load variation etc. For more
information go through this link .

Vapor Absorption Vs Vapor Compression Refrigeration

There are some aspects in which vapor absorption refrigeration system is

different from that of vapor compression. The main principle is the same for
the two systems. But there are differences between power consumption COP,
mechanical parts etc.

S.no Aspect Vapor Absorption System Vapor Compression System

 Low grade energy sources are
Vapor compression system needs
more than capable of running a
high grade energy. It needs
Quality of vapor absorption system. These
electrical or mechanical energy
1 the Energy sources can be waste heat from
for operating compressor which is
Input furnaces, exhaust steam etc.
an essential part of VC
Solar power can also be used for
refrigeration system.
running it.

In Vapor compression the moving

Moving part The only moving part of Vapor
part is the compressor which
2 in the absorption refrigeration system
operated by electric motor or
system is the pump.
engine .

The refrigerating effect or

Effect of Very little effect is seen in the
refrigeration capacity decreases
3 Evaporator refrigeration capacity with the
with the lowering evaporator
pressure lowering evaporator pressure.
pressure.

Workability Load Variation does not have Vapor compression system does
4 at Load any effect on the performance not work well at partial load. The
varying load of the vapor absorption system performance is very poor.

In vapor absorption system, if Liquid refrigerant entering

the liquid refrigerant leaves the compressor is not desirable in
Evaporator evaporator, the refrigerating Vapor compression system. It
5
exit effect is reduced but the system could damage the compressor. So
functions well without any the refrigerant is superheated
problem. before leaving the evaporator.

When water is used as

-150 degree Celsius or even lower
Lowest refrigeration the temperature
6 can be achieved with the
temperature attained is above 0 degree
cascading system.
Celsius
 Coefficient
The COP of absorption The COP of Vapor compression
7 of
refrigeration system is poor. system is very good.
Performance

It is difficult to capacity above

Capacity above 1000 TR is easily
8 Capacity 1000 TR with single compression
achievable.
system.

Hydrocarbons,
Ammonia or water can be used Chlorofluorocarbons and
9 Refrigerant as refrigerant with a proper Hydrochlorofluorocarbons are
absorber. used as refrigerations.

T-S and P-h Diagram for VC Refrigeration with Subcooling and Super-heating

asic Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle and Its components

The refrigeration system cannot run without satisfying the second law of
thermodynamics (Clausius statement). As the name implies the vapor
compression cycle uses a compressor to increase the pressure of the
refrigerant or the working fluid. The whole process is explained in brief with
the help of this schematic diagram.

1. Low pressure (P-L) refrigerant coming from the evaporator is compressed to

a higher pressure P-H.

2. The refrigerant is then passed through a condenser at high-pressure P-H

3. The liquid refrigerant then goes through a throttling device. It is expanded
and evaporates at low pressure (P-L) in the evaporator. And the process
continues.

 Refrigeration and Air – conditioning Questions part – 1

Post Contents

T-S and P-h Diagram with Sub-cooling and Super-heating explanation

Reversed Carnot Cycle doesn’t work in practical cases. The reversed Carnot
Cycle consists of two isentropic and isotherm process. Theoretical Carnot cycle
is completely reversible. It is not possible because of the losses that occur in
the condensers, evaporators, and compressors. As a result, a more practical
and realistic Rankin cycle is introduced consisting of two isobaric processes,
one isentropic compression, and one adiabatic expansion. The Rankin Cycle
incorporates some inevitable irreversibilities consequently the COP of Rankin
cycle is below the COP of Carnot cycle. To increase the COP of the whole
system subcooling and superheating is done. These two concepts are difficult
to visualize but very import issue for the VCRS.

What is superheating?

Superheating is the incident where a liquid is heated above its boiling point.
After the liquid is leaving the evaporator and heading towards the compressor
there should not be any hint of liquid present in the vapor. A tiny amount of
liquid can damage the compressor.

What is subcooling?

Subcooling is a process where a liquid cooled down below its condensing

temperature (The temperature at which vapor turns in to liquid). Suppose a
refrigerant is cooled and turned in to liquid but the cooling will not stop. I will
be continued to cool. Without subcooling, the refrigerant flow will not
continue and it will not head towards the expansion device.

Comparison of Carnot and Rankin Cycle T-S diagram / Deviation of Real Vapor
compression cycle from the ideal one :

The following diagram shows the comparison between the ideal and practical
vapor compression cycle.

comparison of reversed Rankin and Carnot Cycle

T-S and P-h Diagram with sub-cooling and superheating

T-S with subcooling and superheating

P-h diagram with sub-cooling and superheating

The cycle can be described as follows:

7-1: Evaporation of the liquefied refrigerant (coming from the condenser)

taking place at a constant temperature. The process is isothermal. (T1 = T7)

1-2: The vapor coming from the evaporator is superheated and gains the
temperature T2 from T1 at constant pressure PL. The process is isobaric.

2-3 The superheated working fluid is compressed. Pressure rises from PL to PH

And the temperature rises from T2 to T3

3-4 The superheated vapor is cooled to the saturated temp T3.

4-5 Isothermal condensation of the saturated vapor at high-pressure PH. and
T4=T5

5-6 The liquid refrigerant is subcooled to the temperature T6 from T5 at high-

pressure PH.

6-7 The expansion of the refrigerant takes place at constant enthalpy.

Which has higher COP ? Vapor compression or Vapor absorption ? Explain .

Ans : Vapor Compression has the higher COP. Generally the COP of Vapor
compression ranges from 3-4 but COP of Vapor absorption is generally 1. It
happens because COPvc = Refrigeration Work / Compressor Work . But
COPabs = Refrigeration Effect / (generator work + pump work ) .

Why The term relative COP is used ?

Ans : To state the ratio of actual COP to theoretical COP .

Classify Air-Conditioning Systems .

Ans : 1. Window Type Air Conditioning System . 2 . Packed Air Conditioning

System 3. Cenrtal Air Conditioning System .

Engineering Mechanics

What is limiting friction ?

Ans : When an object is sliding over another frictional force is developed in the
contact surface. This friction force creates a resistance. The maximum value of
this frictional force is called the limiting friction.

What is Center of Gravity ?

Ans : Center of Gravity or CG is the point where the whole mass of a body acts
(irrespective of position of that body).

Locate the center of gravity of these simple geometries – Uniform rod ,

rectangle or parallelogram , triangle, semi circles, hemisphere, right circular
solid cone .

Ans :

Uniform rod : At its middle point

rectangle or parallelogram : Intersect points of its diagonals

triangle : where all the 3 medians of the triangle intersects

Semi-circle : at a distance 4r/3π from the base. (measured along the vertical
radius)

hemisphere : at a distance 3r/8 from the base. (measured along the vertical
radius)

right circular solid cone : h/4 from base from the vertical axis.

Fluid Mechanics

How the pressure of the liquid is measured ?

Ans : The pressure of the liquid can be measured by manometers.

What are manometers ?

Ans : These are pressure measuring devices for liquid. To measure the
pressure in a point in the liquid manometers balance the liquid column to
another column or the same column of liquid.

How manometers are classified ?

Ans : 1. Simple manometers like : piezometer and U-tube manometer.

2. Differential manometer.
What are the uses of manometer ?

Ans : Simple Manometers are used to measure 1. high pressure of liquids 2.

pressure in pipes and channels 3. vacuum pressure.

Differential manometers are used for measuring pressure difference between

two points in a pipe .

Thermodynamics

What are the main objectives of boiler trial ?

Ans: Boiler trial helps to determine the generating capacity and thermal
efficiency of the boilers. Heat balance sheet can be made by the boiler trial .

Name the different Thermodynamic Cycles

Ans : Otto Cycle, Diesel Cycle, Stirling Cycle, Joule or Brayton Cycle, Carnot
Cycle, Ericsson Cycle etc.

Mechanical Engineering Interview Questions for Graduates and Students

What is fluid ? What is fluid mechanics ?

Answer : A fluid is a substance which always responses to shear stress and

doesn’t have any definite shape. It may or may not have any definite volume.

How to determine the characteristics of fluid flow ?

Answer: By the values of Reynolds Number.

What are laminar and turbulent flows ?

Answer : When a fluid is flowing around an object or flowing through an
object, the flow may be smooth or may be distorted. The smoother flow
occurs due to low velocity and distorted flow occurs due to high velocity. This
low velocity smoother flow is called laminar flow and distorted flow is called
turbulent flow.

What is buoyancy force ?

Answer : Buoyancy is the upward force which is felt on an object simply

immersed into a fluid.

Which dimensionless number is used to determine the speed of aircraft ?

Answer : Mach Number.

What are compressible and incompressible flows ?

Answer : compressible flow – variable density fluid flow .

Incompressible flow – fixed density fluid flow .

What is meant by compressibility property of fluid ?

Answer : Compressibility is the property of those fluids which doesn’t have any
fixed density.

What is meant by flow property of fluid ?

Answer : Flow property means the responsiveness of the fluid to the shear
stress.

What is meant by no-slip condition in fluids ?

Answer : No-slip condition occurs at the microscopic level where the fluid is
flowing on a solid surface and the velocity of the fluid is zero at the contact
surface .

What are the different units of viscosity ?

Answer : In SI – Kg (m.s) . In CGS slug (ft.s) . The values of viscosity is often very
small so for that reason a more reasonable unit is used which is called cP or
centipoise.

Basic Mechanical Questions (IC Engines) Part – 6

February 20, 2016 | By basicmech | 1 Reply

Welcome to the sixth part of sixth part of basic mechanical questions. These
questions are useful for interview purpose and also for written exams. Hope
you will be benefited from this. Lets begin –

 What is the difference between turbocharger and supercharger ?

Ans : Turbocharger and Supercharger both have the same function. These
devices are blowers which supplies extra air to the engine. As a result engine
gets useful amount of oxygen to produce a proper ignition.

The main difference between the devices is that turbocharger uses exhaust
heat from the exhaust gases as a power source. But Supercharger uses a part
of the engine power to run. Turbocharger is not directly connected to the
engine. It decreases the carbon emission because it has smog altering system.
Supercharger on the other hand is connected to the engine with the help of a
belt. It produces smog.
  What is the difference between the centrifugal pump and positive
displacement pump ?

Ans : usually all the pumps are classified into this two categories. Actually in
centrifugal pump flow rate varies with the change of pressure/pressure head.
But in positive displacement pump the flow rate is always the same whether
there is a pressure difference or not.

 Differentiate between scavenging and supercharging / turbocharging ?

Ans: In Scavenging the burnt gases from the engine cylinder is pushed out by
the fresh air that before the exhaust stroke ends.
Turbocharging/Supercharging is the process of adding extra air to the engine
for a better ignition.

 Give the names of different Thermodynamic Processes .

Ans : Isothermal Process : Constant Temperature process

Isochoric Process : Constant Volume Process

Isobaric Process : Constant Pressure Process

Throttling Process : Constant Enthalpy Process

Isentropic or Adiabatic Process : Constant Entropy Process

  Why more lubricating oil is needed in two-stroke engines than four
stroke engines ?

Ans : In two stroke engine the lubricant is mixed with the fuel. As a result
some of the lub oil is blown out with the process of scavenging and getting
fresh charge. This phenomenon is not seen in four stroke engines.

 What are Internal Combustion (IC) Engines ?

Ans : These are engines in which combustion of the fuel takes place inside the
engine cylinder.

 What are the usual sequence of operation in IC engines ?

Ans : The sequence involve : Suction Stroke, Compression stroke, Combustion,

Expansion or Working Stoke and the exhaust .

 What is the main difference between petrol engine and diesel engine ?

Ans: In petrol engine the ignition is initiated by the spark plug but in diesel
engine the fuel and air mixture auto-ignites after reaching a certain
temperature.

 Describe different types of scavenging process or Define Crossflow

Scavenging, Back flow or loop scavenging and Uniflow scavenging .

Ans :

Crossflow Scavenging: In Crossflow scavenging the inlet port and the outlet
port is situated in the opposite sides in the engine cylinder. This type of
scavenging is used in 2 stroke engines.

Back flow or loop Scavenging: In this type of scavenging the inlet and outlet
port are on the same side.

Uniflow Scavenging: In this method the fresh charge can enter through one or
two inlets . The exhaust port is situated on the top of the cylinder.
Typical Natural Gas Composition is-

Answer: Typical Natural gas composition includes

Methane – 95 % , Ethane – 3.2 % , Nitrogen – 1 % , CO2 – 0.5 % , O2 – 0.02 %

Typical Calorific Values for natural gas –

Answer: Higher Heating Value – 52300 kJ/kg or 12500 kcal /kg . Lower Heating
Value – 50000 kJ/kg 0r 11950 kcal/kg

What is Hoop Stress and longitudinal stress in a thin walled cylinder?

Answer: When a thin cylinder is subjected to internal pressure longitudinal

and hoop stress are observed in the cylinder. Hoop Stress is the
circumferential normal stress developed at the tangential direction. Hoop
stress acts towards the circumference perpendicular to the length of the
cylinder. Longitudinal stress acts along the length of the cylinder.

Hoop stress is expressed as , σh = p d / 2 t and longitudinal stress is expressed

as σl = p d / 4 t.

Here p = internal pressure,

d = internal diameter

t = thickness

What is Lateral strain?

Answer: When a body is subjected to longitudinal stress it extends or gets

compressed in the direction of the stress (tensile force or compressive force).
But it will also get thicket or thinner in the transverse direction. The ratio of
this change in the length (breadth for rectangular shape and dia for the
circular bar) in the direction perpendicular to the force and the original length
is known as lateral strain.

What are the differences between elbows and bend? Which has greater head
losses?
Answer: Bend and elbow are used for changing the direction of the flow and is
attached with the piping system. Bends are simply bends they are generally
custom made. On the other hand elbows are well defined engineered bends.
Elbows can be have angle 45 or 90 degrees or they can be custom made.

Using Elbows or bends will cause some head losses which is known is minor
head loss. If the flow is turbulent in the pipe lines then elbows will have
greater head losses than bends. Because in bends it takes lesser time for the
fluid to take the turns.

What is the function of flywheel?

Answer: The main function of the flywheel is to store kinetic energy in the
form of moment of inertia. It also reduces the vibration in the engine and
produces an even crank shaft rotational speed.
  In IC engine which part is known as column?

Answer: In IC engine the connecting rod is known as the column.

 What is the function of orifice meter?

Answer: The orifice meter or orifice plate is used for measuring flow rate of a
fluid. It is also used for flow restriction and pressure reducing purpose.

 What is Vena Contracta?

Answer: When fluid is passed through the flow meters like orifice or nozzles
there is a point in the fluid stream where the diameter of the stream is
minimum and velocity is maximum. In this place we find the least cross
sectional area. This is known as the vena contracta.

 How to identify petrol and diesel engines.

Answer: There are many differences in the running cycle of the two engine
types. Petrol engine is spark ignition and Diesel engine is compression ignition.
Petrol engine = Otto cycle and Diesel engine = Diesel cycle.

But the difference between them which is visible practically is the presence of
spark plug on the petrol engine. Diesel engine doesn’t have a spark plug it has
an atomizer.

 Mention some desirable properties of Coal.

Answer:

1. Coals needs to have high calorific values

2. They should be of low sulfur content.
3. Low ash content.
4. Sometimes the coal is needed to be grinded before use. It should have
good grindability.

 What are the main classification of coals?

Answer: According to the rank the coal is classified as – Peat, Lignite, Sub-
bituminous, Bituminous and Anthracite. Peat has the lowest rankings and
Anthracite has the highest.

 How the rank of the coal is obtained?

Answer: The rank of the coal is determined by the Carbon: Hydrogen ratio. The
ratio of the carbon increase from 75% to 93 % and the hydrogen content
decreases from 20 % to 3 %

 Give the Equation of generator that includes pole numbers, frequency

and synchronous speed generator.

Answer: N = 120f / P (N = synchronous speed, P = No of poles, f = Frequency)

 Draw schematic diagram of air standard gas turbine with regeneration.

Show the T-s Diagram.

Answer: Please follow this link. Gas Turbine Cycle with reheat , regeneration
and intercooling

 Show a Typical Composition of different types of coals.

Answer:

 What is deaerator? Mention its functions.

Answer: For a boiler to run smoothly, the feedwater must be free from
contaminants. Feedwater contains dissolved gases which can be proved very
detrimental for the boiler material. Dissolved gases in the boiler feedwater can
be of corrosive nature. In these cases deaerator can be proved very useful.
Deaerators are the devices that remove dissolved gases from the boiler feed
water. Corrosion can be minimized by reducing the amount of oxygen and
carbon dioxide to a level where the corrosive nature of the gases is minimized.

 What is Higher Heating Value (HHV) and Lower Heating Value (LLV) and
Gross Heating value (GHV)?

Answer : Please follow the links . Higher and Lower Calorific Value

 What is HFO, FFO, LDO and HSD?

Answer: HFO = Heavy Fuel Oil, FFO = Furnace Fuel Oil, HSD = High Speed
Diesel, LDO = Light Diesel Oil.
  Draw the performance curve of centrifugal pump.

Answer: Click the picture for enlarged view

 What is cooling tower? Give the Schematic Diagram of cooling tower.

What is the difference between cooling towers and condensers?

Answer: Cooling Tower Classification with schematic diagram

 What are different types of condensation processes?

Answer: There are mainly two types of condensation processes

1. Film-wise condensation and

2. Drop-wise condensation.
  Draw the diagram of combined cycle power plant. (Combination of
Brayton Cycle and Rankin Cycle). Show topping and bottoming cycle in
the diagram.

Answer: Please follow the link : Combined Cycle Power Plant with Topping and
Bottoming Cycles

 What are major and minor head losses in a fluid flow system?

Answer: Major loss is known as the losses that occur in the pipes. Minor losses
are head losses which occurs due to bends and elbows (additional parts in the
straight pipe system).

 What is valve? What is the function of butterfly valve?

Answer: Valves are devices which can control the flow of fluid. By controlling
means directing and regulating the flow.

In a butter fly valve there is a disc which is hinged to the body. And there is an
operator. When operator moves the butterfly valves disc also rotates and
creates or blocks passage for the fluid to flow. When the disc is parallel to the
flow the liquid passes and when the disc is completely perpendicular the flow
also completely stops. Please watch this video for a complete understanding
of the butterfly valve.

 Which type of compressor is used in gas turbine?

Answer: In Gas Turbine cycle three types of compressors are used

These are Axial compressor, centrifugal compressor and mixed flow

compressor. Axial compressors are very popular for gas turbine power plants
because these are compact and need less space for medium to large thrust gas
turbines.

 What happens in superheating process?

Answer: In superheating the temperature is increased of the fluid with

increasing its pressure.
  Name some of the flow meters.

Answer: Orifice meters, Venturi meters, Rotameters , nozzles

 What is a nozzle? What happens in a nozzle?

Answer: nozzle is a device which can control the direction of the fluid along
with changing some of its properties. Nozzle is especially used for increasing
the velocity of the fluid stream. Generally nozzle is a tapered tube. It is used
where high velocity and low pressure is required. It depends on the continuity
equation. According to continuity equation if the flow rate is to be remained
same the product of area and velocity should remain same on the inlet and
outlet. So if area decreases then the velocity increases.

 What is the expression of a polytropic process?

Answer: Polytrpoic is a thermodynamic process . It follows the relation .

 What is the percentage U238 in nature?

Answer: 99.2745%

 Relation of absolute pressure, gage pressure and atmospheric pressure.

Answer: Absolute pressure = Atmospheric Pressure + Gage Pressure

 Which one has greater efficiency for the same compression ratio? Diesel
engine or petrol engine? Explain.

Answer: For same compression ratio petrol engine has greater efficiency then
diesel engine. Otto cycle or petrol engine cycle rejects lesser heat for the same
compression ratio than the diesel engine cycle. That’s why it has better
efficiency for same compression ratio.
More mechanical engineering objective and w

What is LMTD method?

Answer: LMTD means logarithmic mean temperature difference. Generally, it

is used to measure the heat transfer of the flow systems. In most cases, the
lmtd method is used to measure the heat transfer in heat exchangers most
commonly in double pipe heat exchangers. Here is the mathematical
expression of lmtd method –

ΔTA is the temperature difference between the two fluids at the one end
denoted by A. ΔTB is the temperature difference between the two streams of
fluids at end B.

Amount of heat exchanged in a heat exchanger can be calculated from this

equation –

What is Gear Train? Describe Gear Train formula.

Answer: Gear or cogwheel is a mechanical device which is used to transmit
torque. A gear generally meshes with another gear by means of the tooth. In
gear train, two or more gears are mounted on a frame for transmitting power.
In the figure, you can see the typical gear train arrangement.

What is Cam?

Answer: Cam is a mechanical linkage which transforms rotary motion to linear

motion and vice versa. Cams can be very versatile. The most common use of
cam is seen in automobile camshaft.

What is CAD?

Answer: CAD means Computer Aided Design. This is a system in which

computer systems are used to create, modify analyse or optimize a
design. CAD files generally give an output which can be used for printing,
machining and manufacturing processes. CAD improves the productivity of a
designer as well as improve the accuracy of machining. Documentation for
drawing and design has become very easy by means of CAD as it helps to keep
the database updated very easily. Before CAD it was very much arduous to
keep the database up to date with drawings and designs. These CAD drawings
can be used in CNC machine for manufacturing a product in very short time.

What is STUD, BOLT and NUT?

Answer:

Bolts are generally externally threaded fasteners which are inserted into a
hole and tighten up by means of nuts.

Screws are generally externally threaded fasteners which are inserted into a
hole which is internally threaded. No additional nuts are needed to tighten up
the screws.

Studs are bolts which are threaded on both ends and tightened up by using
nuts on the threaded ends to hold a part.

What is Shear Stress and Normal Stress?

Answer: There are two types of stress that can be developed inside a material.
Normal stress and shear stress. The stress which is developed in a direction
perpendicular to the face is known as normal stress. The stress which is
developed in a direction parallel to the face is known as shear stress.

What is boiler draught?

Answer: It is a process of supplying continuous air to the boiler furnace for

efficient burning of the fuel for producing steam. It is actually the pressure
difference between the grate level hot flue gases and the exit point gases.
Draught can be natural or forced.

What are the different types of gearboxes?

Answer: There are 4 types of gearboxes used in the machines and mechanisms

 Sliding Mesh Gear Box

 Synchromesh Gear Box
 Constant Mesh Gear Box
 Planetary Gear Box
 1. What does CNC stand for? CNC Meaning / CNC definition.

Answer: CNC stands for Computer Numerical Controls.

Numeric Controls creates the automation of the machine tools. If computer

program is used to make the automation then the system is called CNC
system. In modern times Computer Aided designs (CADs) are used in the CNC
machines for precise operation.

2. How the value of gear train is measured?

Answer: The mechanical system which engages two or more gears in such a
way that their teeth meshes and provides a smooth transmission. For a
successful gear power transmission the gears are designed in a way that the
velocity of the pitch circles of the two gears remains the same at the time of
contact.

If a Gear A (driver) and B (driven) meshes having radius Ra and Rb and angular
velocity Wa and Wb then

V= RaWa = RbWb

So Wa/Wb = Rb/Ra = Na/Nb where Na = No. of teeth of driver gear A and Nb is

the No. of teeth on the driven gear B.
 3. Explain Stress Strain Graph / Stress Strain Curve for Mild Steel. Describe
Stress Strain relationship. What are the units of stress?

Answer: Follow the link: Stress Strain Curve for Mild Steel. Units of Stresses are
Pa. Most of the times GPa or Giga Pascal is used to express the units of stress
for materials.

4. What is water jacket?

Answer: Water Jacket is a water filled casing. The water in the water jacket
may be circulated by a pump. Water jackets are used for cooling purposes of
condensers, water cooled IC engines etc.

5. What is limiting friction?

Answer: When a body tries to slide over another surface or starts sliding they
experience some opposite force from the adjacent surface. Limiting friction is
the maximum value of the friction force when a body just starts to slide. There
are condition and laws of limiting friction.

6. Describe the co-efficient of friction formula.

Answer: Co-efficient of friction is denoted by the Greek letter µ. It is the ratio

of maximum frictional force to the normal force (the force that pushes the
object towards the other surface)

µ = F/R , where F = Friction Force and R= Normal force.

7. Write short notes on lathe chucks.

Answer: Chucks are the work holding devices for Lathes. Chucks are
mechanical vises which hold the workpiece and transfer rotational motion of
the drive motor to the work piece. Chucks are adjustable and can be of two
basic types.

3 Jaw Self Centering Chuck and 4 Jaw Independent Chuck. Please Click on the
image to have a clear idea of the lathe chucks.

8. What is the value of modulus of elasticity of steel?

Answer: Up to elastic limit strain is proportional to stress. The ratio of stress to

strain is known as modulus of elasticity or young’s modulus of elasticity.
Modulus of elasticity for steel is measured 210 GPa.

9. What is the bending moment equation for simple bending of beams/

Describe bending moment formula?

Answer: σ = MC/I = E/R

Here, M = bending moment, I = Moment of inertia, C = Distance of extreme

fiber from the neutral axis. E= Modulus of elasticity, R = Radius of curvature, σ
= Stress

10. What is the effective length of column?

Answer: Click the image for a clear view and the end conditions. For Pinned
ends L= Le , For both ends fixed Le= 0.5L , For one end fixed one end pinned Le
= 0.7L, for One end free and other end fixed Le = 2L.

11. Which Equation is used to determine the critical load of a slender

column? Describe Euler’s equation for column.

Answer: Euler’s Equation is used for measuring the critical load of a slender
column. Here is the Euler’s Equation for slender column.

C is the value for different end conditions. Please Look at question no. 48 for
the values of C.

12. What is Case Hardening?

Answer: It is the process of adding carbon or nitrogen or both on to the

surface of a steel object. Case hardening makes a material hard from the
outside but keeps the core soft. For example gear teeth are case hardened as
a result the teeth can withstand wear and tear at the same because of having
soft core they can absorb shock.

13. What is modulus of resilience?

Answer: It is the energy absorbed per unit volume within the elastic limit in
the stress strain curve.

14. What are the thermal conductivity of different metals?

Answer: Thermal conductivity charts for different materials. It has a unit of

Watt per Meter-Kelvin W/(m K)

Thermal Conductivity,
Materials
W/(m K) at 25 degress

Air, atmosphere 0.024

Aluminum 205

Copper 401

Water 0.58

15. What are the different types of boilers?

Answer: Classification of the boiler is done by considering different aspects.

According to the tube content boilers are classified as

1. Fire Tube Boiler also known as smoke boiler and

2. Water Tube Boiler

According to the furnace position

1. Externally Fired Boiler

2. Internally Fired Boiler

With respect to the axis of the boiler shell boiler is classified as

1. Vertical boiler and

2. Horizontal boiler
According to the number of tubes 1. Single tube boiler 2. Multitube boiler

By the method of water and steam circulation 1. Natural circulation 2. Forced

Circulation.

By use or application 1. Stationary and 2. Mobile.

The boiler are also classified by the method of heating source. They are named
after the type of fuel.

16. What is slenderness ratio? Show the slenderness ratio formula.

Answer: The ratio of the length of a column to the least radius of gyration is
known as the slenderness ratio.

Slenderness ratio = l/k; l = length of the column, k = least radius of gyration.

17. What is Bending Moment? Describe the term bending moment

diagram.

Answer: Most of the time the bending moment is associated with the beams.
Beams carry loads perpendicular to its axis and also withstand bending
moment. When some external forces or moments are applied on a structural
element, it can bend. The reaction to this applied forces and moments are
known as the bending moment.

If we have a structural element, suppose a beam and some forces are applied
on it and we want to determine the bending moment in every point then we
have to use the bending moment diagram. Watch this video tutorial on how to
draw bending moment diagram for a beam.

18. What is spring constant? Describe spring constant formula.

Answer: According to Newton’s third law of motion, if a force is applied to a

spring it will apply a restoring force opposite in direction. We get hook’s law
from this Newtonian physics which involves the term spring constant.
According to Hook’s law-
F= – kx

F = restoring force, x = displacement, k = spring constant. The negative sign

indicates the opposite direction of the force.

From the above equation we get, spring constant, k = – F/x. The unit of the
spring constant is Newton per meter , N/m

Every spring has its own spring constant which shows the stiffness and
strength of the spring.

19. Give thermal conductivity definition.

Answer: Thermal Conductivity can be explained as the heat conducted in unit

time, through the unit area of a substance of unit thickness when the
difference of temperature between the opposite faces of the object is unity.

20. What is boundary layer thickness?

Answer: It is the distance from the wall / plate across the boundary where the
velocity of the flow has become free stream velocity.

Watch this video on how to calculate boundary layer thickness

21. What is Reynolds Number?

Answer: Reynolds Number is the ratio of viscous force to the inertia force.
Mathematically
Reynolds Number , Nre = ρvd/µ

For further studies of dimensionless numbers go to this link : Dimensionless

Groups in fluid mechanics

22. What is heat transfer co-efficient? What is the value of heat

transfer coefficient of air?

Answer: Heat Transfer Co-efficient is the parameter used to measure the heat
transfer rate in convective heat transfer. Convective Heat Transfer Rate,

Q = h.A. (T2-T1)

Here, Convection heat transfer coefficient is h. It is the rate of heat transfer

occurred between solid and liquid surfaces through unit surface area when the
temperature difference is unity. It has a SI unit of W/m2 K.

Value of heat transfer coefficient of air can be 10-100 W/m2 K.

23. Describe vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

Answer: In vapor compression refrigeration cycle a compressor is used to

produce extra work. It compresses the working fluid or the refrigerants and
increases the pressure.

The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor and then the superheated

refrigerant is passed through the condenser. The condenser liquefies the
refrigerant and this high pressure liquid is received in a tank. The liquid passes
a throttling device and the pressure drops. The low pressure saturated vapor
refrigerant passes the evaporator and produces cooling effect. Have a look at
the schematic diagram of vapor compression refrigeration cycle.
Please read: The difference between vapor compression and absorption cycle.

24. What is fire tube boiler and water tube boiler?

Answer: In fire tube boiler the hot combustion products (gases and flames)
runs through the tubes and the tube is surrounded by the water. Example of
fire tube boiler is : Simple vertical boiler, Cochran Boiler, Lancashire Boiler and
Locomotive boiler.

In Water Boilers the water runs through the tubes and the combustion
products surround the tubes. Example of water tube boiler is : Babcock &
Wilcox Boiler, Stirling Boiler, La-monte Boiler etc.

25. What is boiler accessory and mounting? Give example.

Answer: Mountings are the parts or the devices which are mounted on the
boiler for the proper and safe functioning of the boiler. Example of boiler
mountings: Pressure gage, safety valve, Water Level Indicator, Steam Stop
Valve, Feed check valve and fusible plugs etc.

Accessories are the parts which are additionally attached to the boiler for the
increased efficiency. Accessories include economizer, superheater and feed
pumps.

26. What is boiler water treatment?

Answer: Boiler water treatment is the process of reducing or removing the
impurities from the boiler feed water. It is done externally and internally.

27. What is log mean temperature difference? Why it is used?

Answer: Log mean Temperature Difference (LMTD) is a mathematical term

which is used to measure the temperature difference of the two opposite
parts of a heat exchanger. This data can be used to determine the heat
transfer rate.

28. What is lateral torsional buckling?

Answer: When a load carrying member is unstable due to its slenderness and
load, the buckling can happen. Beams undergo Lateral torsional buckling (LTB).
It happens due to the buckling of the compression flange of the beam. The
web of the beam supports the beam from LTB. But if there is no lateral
support and enough force is applied then both the web and the flange can
buckle. The torsion flange remains stable and restrains the compression flange
and web causing the beam to twist. As a result lateral torsional buckling
happens.

Watch this video to understand lateral torsional buckling.

29. What is latent heat of condensation and latent heat of

evaporation?
Answer: Latent heat is the heat required to change a material from one state
to another.

Latent heat of condensation is the heat released while water vapor condenses
into liquid.

Latent heat of evaporation is the heat required to change the liquid in to

vapor.

30. What is shear force?

Answer: The definition of shear force: Shear forces are generally unaligned
forces which pushes one part of the body in a certain direction and the other
part of the body in opposite direction.

31. What is multistage centrifugal pump?

Answer: Multistage Centrifugal pump is a device in which more than one

impeller is engaged in the same shaft or on different shaft. The main reason
for constructing these type of pumps is to create more pressure on the same
pump casing. A centrifugal pump having single impeller cannot produce a
pressure between suction and discharge side which is equivalent to 150 psid.
It will be very costly to build such a pump with single impeller system. That’s
why multistage centrifugal pumps are introduced. For producing higher heads
impellers are connected in series and to get more discharge impellers are
connected in parallel connections.

32. What is priming of centrifugal pump?

Answer: When the impeller rotates it adds Kinetic Energy to the adjacent fluid.
As a result the pressure of the adjacent fluid increases. At the same time
negative pressure is developed at the suction side. Because of this pressure
differential fluid flows through the impeller. If the impeller is filled air rather
than water then the pressure differential will be small and no fluid will flow. So
to eliminate that phenomenon the pump flow path is filled with water. This is
known as priming.

33. What is Engine Governor? What is its functions?

Answer: A governor is a device attached in the engine to control the speed. It

is actually a speed limiter. It can measure the speed and can regulate it.

Governor’s function is to keep the speed stable in different loads. If the load is
lighter, less fuel supply is needed to keep a stable speed. But if the load
increases more fuel supply is needed. Governor controls the fuel supplies.

34. What is draft tube? Why it is used?

Answer: Draft Tubes are used at the exit of the runner of the turbines. These
are pipes of gradually increasing area. The draft tube at the exit of the turbine
increases pressure of the exiting fluid by reducing its velocity. It converts
waste kinetic energy of the exit fluid into useful pressure energy.

35. What is Break Specific fuel Consumption, bsfc?

Answer: Break Specific fuel Consumption, BSFC is a ratio of the rate of fuel
consumption to the power produced. So it is the measurement of the
efficiency of the fuel of any prime mover which produces power.

bsfc = fuel consumption/ Power Produced. The unit of fuel consumption is

gm/s and the unit for power is watt.
 36. What is third law of thermodynamics?

Answer: The entropy of a perfect crystal approaches to zero, when it

approaches to absolute zero temperature.

37. What is Bernoulli equation for ideal and real fluid?

Answer: When a fluid is flowing in a continuous stream its energy remains

constant for all the points. The flow must be incompressible and Newtonian
fluid.

According to bernoulli’s equation the sum of pressure head, velocity head and
datum head for a incompressible newtonian fluid remain
constant. Mathematical expression of Bernoulli equation:

38. Show the rheological properties of materials with the help of a

graph.

Answer:
39. What are the different unit of viscosity?

Answer: SI unit of Dynamic Viscosity is Poiseuille (Pl). CGS unit is Poise.

1 Poiseuille = 1 Pa-s or 1 (N-s)/m2 or kg (m-s).

The SI unit for kinematic viscosity is m2 /s. CGS unit is stokes.

40. What is Stress Concentration? What you know about stress

concentration factor?

Answer: Stress Concentration is the localized stress. When a stress is

distributed over a material , it remains strong. But concentrated stress can
cause serious damage to a material. Stress concentration is also known as
stress raisers or stress risers. The effect of stress concentration can be easily
identified by the term stress concentration factor. Stress Concentration factor
is the ratio is average stress by the maximum stress.

41. What is Gear Module? What its importance?

Answer: The ratio of pitch circle diameter to the number of teeth in gears are
known as Gear module. It is generally denoted as m. Gear module m = D/ T.

For two gears to be meshed their module must be equal.

42. What is Combined Cycle Power Plant?

Answer: A combined cycle power plant is one which uses both gas turbine and
steam turbine to produce more electricity. By using CCPP the efficiency and
the electrical power output both can be increased.

In a combined cycle power plant the gas turbine runs by the combustion
products of the compressed air fuel mixture. It produces electricity by moving
a generator. The waste gases from the gas turbine is then utilized in a heat
recovery steam generator (HRSG). It produces steam and runs the steam
turbine. Thus steam turbine produces some additional electricity. Here’s a
schematic representation of CCPP. Click on the image for better view.

43. What is Pressure and Velocity Compounding for Impulse Turbine?

Draw the velocity and pressure graphs for reaction and impulse
turbines. / Describe Rateau and Curtis stages of impulse turbine.

Answer: Follow the link : Pressure and Velocity Compounding for Turbines.

44. What is sub-cooling and superheating in refrigeration system?

Describe sub-ccoling and Superheating with T-s and P-h diagram.

Answer: Follow the link : Sub-cooling and Super-heating explained with T-s
and P-h diagram

45. Describe Gas Turbine Cycle with Regeneration, Intercooling and

Reheating.

Answer: Follow the link: Gas Turbine Cycle explained with Regeneration,
Intercooling and Reheating
 46. What is Herringbone Gear?

Answer: Herringbone is a pattern which resembles fish bone structure.

Herringbone gear is a type of gear which is consist of two helical gears of
opposite hand side. These are assembled side by side rather than face to face.
As a result a fishbone structure is developed which is known as the
herringbone gear. The gear creates a V shaped pattern.

47. Describe the relation between actual and theoretical COP in a

refrigeration system.

Answer: The ratio of actual COP to theoretical COP is known as Relative COP.

48. What are the different end conditions of the column?

Answer:

In Euler Formula, C is used to describe the end condition of the column

If the both ends of the column is hinged then C= 1

If the both ends of the column is fixed C= ¼

If the one end of the column is fixed and other is hinged C = ½

If the one end of the column is fixed and other is free, C = 4

49. What are the differences between beams and columns?

Answer: Beams are horizontal structural elements which experiences loads
perpendicular to its axis and also withstands bending moments. Columns are
the vertical members which have to withstand compressive loads which can
be parallel to their axis.

50. What is Poison’s Ratio?

Answer: It is the ratio of lateral to linear strain.

51. What is section modulus? What is plastic section modulus?

Answer: The ratio of the moment of inertia of a cross sectional area to the
distance of the highest point of the fiber from the neutral axis is known as the
section modulus. Mathematically section modulus , z = I/C .