Power Plant Engineering Important Questions | Unit-wise R23 Exam Guide
Power Plant Engineering is one of the most important technical subjects for mechanical engineering students. It covers different types of power plants like steam power plants, diesel power plants, gas turbine plants, nuclear plants, hydro plants and non-conventional energy systems.
This blog provides unit-wise Power Plant Engineering important questions in a simple format so students can easily prepare for mid exams, semester exams, and university finals.Â
Power Plant Engineering Important Questions for R23 JNTU Students (Unit-Wise)
Unit 1 – Steam Power Plant (Power Plant Engineering)
Key Theory Questions
What is a steam power plant? Explain its layout.
Describe the working of a water-tube boiler.
Explain the differences between fire-tube and water-tube boilers.
What are boiler mountings? Explain any four.
What are boiler accessories? Explain their functions.
What is a superheater? Explain its working.
Describe the function of an economizer.
What is draught? Explain natural and mechanical draught.
What is a chimney? Explain the factors affecting chimney height.
Explain the working of a surface condenser.
What is a jet condenser? How is it different from surface condenser?
Explain the Rankine cycle with p–v and T–s diagrams.
What is reheating? Explain its advantages.
Explain the necessity of feedwater treatment.
Describe the working of a deaerator.
Explain the classification of steam turbines.
Describe the working of an impulse turbine.
What is governing of steam turbines?
What is dryness fraction? Mention its importance.
Explain boiler efficiency and factors affecting it.
What are forced circulation boilers? Explain with examples.
Explain heat rate and its significance.
What are the losses occurring in a boiler?
Explain steam nozzle operation.
Explain the process of superheating in steam power plants.
Numerical Focus Question
Calculate boiler efficiency using given input and output.
Calculate dryness fraction using calorimeter readings.
Determine Rankine cycle efficiency.
Calculate chimney draught for given height.
Find steam turbine work output.
Calculate heat rate of a steam power plant.
Find condenser efficiency using inlet and outlet water temperatures.
Determine steam generation rate per hour.
Solve a numerical on steam nozzle discharge.
Calculate overall thermal efficiency of the plant.
Unit 2 – IC Engines & Gas Turbine Power Plants
Key Theory Questions
What is a diesel power plant? Explain its layout.
Explain working of a four-stroke diesel engine.
Compare SI and CI engines.
Explain the working of a carburettor.
Describe fuel injection systems in CI engines.
What is lubrication? Explain different lubrication systems.
Describe cooling systems in IC engines.
What is knocking? Explain knocking in SI and CI engines.
Explain volumetric efficiency and factors affecting it.
Explain Brayton cycle with neat diagrams.
What is regeneration in gas turbines?
Explain intercooling in gas turbine compressors.
Describe reheating in gas turbines.
What is specific fuel consumption?
What is turbocharging? Discuss its benefits.
What are surge and stall in compressors?
Explain mechanical efficiency.
Describe working of a simple gas turbine plant.
What are the applications of gas turbine plants?
Explain supercharging and its advantages.
Explain performance parameters of IC engines.
Describe starting methods used in IC engines.
Numerical Focus Question
Solve numerical on brake power.
Calculate indicated power using indicator diagram.
Determine Otto cycle efficiency.
Find Diesel cycle efficiency.
Calculate volumetric efficiency.
Solve SFC-related numerical.
Brayton cycle efficiency problems.
Compressor work with intercooling.
Mechanical efficiency problems.
Gas turbine output calculations.
Unit 3 – Nuclear Power Plants
Key Theory Questions
What is nuclear fission? Explain the process.
What is nuclear fusion? Compare it with fission.
Explain the working of a PWR.
Describe the operation of a BWR.
What are moderators? Explain their role.
List the functions of control rods.
Explain the purpose of coolants.
What is critical mass?
What is chain reaction? Explain.
Explain nuclear reactor components.
What is a containment building?
What are fast breeder reactors?
Explain radioactive shielding.
What are the methods of nuclear waste disposal?
Explain half-life of radioactive materials.
Describe hazards of nuclear power plants.
Explain fuel reprocessing.
What is reactor decommissioning?
What are types of radiation?
Explain safety features in nuclear plants.
Numerical Focus Question
Calculate radioactive decay using half-life.
Activity calculation problems.
Mass defect problems.
Binding energy per nucleon.
Reactor heat output calculation.
Cooling water requirement.
Shield thickness calculations.
Neutron flux problems.
Fuel consumption rate.
Nuclear efficiency problems
Unit 4 – Hydro Power Plants
Key Theory Questions
What is a hydroelectric power plant? Explain its layout.
Explain working of Pelton turbine.
Explain working of Francis turbine.
Describe Kaplan turbine.
What is gross head and net head?
Explain penstock and its purpose.
What is a draft tube? Explain its function.
Explain cavitation in turbines.
What is a pumped storage plant?
Describe run-of-river plants.
Explain types of spillways.
What is specific speed of a turbine?
Describe forebay.
Explain the purpose of a surge tank.
What is tailrace?
Explain dam types.
What is water hammer?
Explain turbine governing.
Explain hydraulic losses.
Describe reservoir planning.
Numerical Focus Question
Calculate hydro power output.
Find net head given losses.
Turbine efficiency problems.
Flow rate calculations.
Specific speed numerical.
Penstock losses.
Discharge problems.
Cavitation number calculations.
Turbine output problems.
Water hammer pressure.
Unit 5 – Non-Conventional Power Plants
Key Theory Questions
Explain working of solar PV power plant.
What is a solar collector?
Explain construction of a PV cell.
Describe wind turbine operation.
Explain tidal power generation.
What is wave energy?
Explain geothermal power generation.
Describe biomass gasification.
What are fuel cells?
Explain OTEC working.
What are hybrid energy systems?
Explain battery energy storage.
What is a microgrid?
Describe wind farm operation.
Explain solar desalination.
What are the benefits of renewable energy?
Describe smart grids.
Explain hydrogen energy systems.
Describe energy storage methods.
Discuss economic feasibility of renewable power plants.
Numerical Focus Question
Solar output calculations.
PV module efficiency problems.
Wind turbine power.
Capacity factor calculations.
Solar collector efficiency.
Daily solar energy output.
Tidal power estimation.
Biomass energy calculations.
OTEC efficiency.
Battery capacity calculations.
Preparation Tips for Power Plant Engineering
Start with basic plant layouts: steam, nuclear, hydro, diesel, gas turbine.
Draw neat diagrams — they carry high marks.
Practice 2–3 numerical questions from each unit daily.
Understand cycles: Rankine, Brayton, Otto, Diesel.
Learn differences (PWR vs BWR, Pelton vs Francis vs Kaplan).
Revise turbine types and efficiencies regularly.
Use previous question papers to identify repeated patterns.
Focus on key formulas and practical applications.
Conclusion
Power Plant Engineering becomes easy when you study unit-wise and understand the working principles of each plant. The above list of Power Plant Engineering important questions covers all commonly asked exam topics in a student-friendly and simple manner. Regular practice, neat diagrams, and solving numerical problems will help you score excellent marks in R23 exams.
