The Mechanical Engineers Licensure Examination (MELE) in the Philippines, administered by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), includes Power Plant Engineering as a critical subject. A well-structured reviewer in this area should cover fundamental principles and applied concepts to ensure examinees are prepared for the technical challenges of the exam.
One of the key topics in Power Plant Engineering is Thermodynamics, which focuses on the application of energy conversion principles. Examinees must understand thermodynamic laws, cycles (such as Rankine and Brayton cycles), and how to optimize power plant performance by improving efficiency and reducing energy losses. Mastery of thermodynamic analysis is crucial for assessing plant operations and improving overall energy management.
Another essential area is Power Generation Systems, where future mechanical engineers must understand the working principles of boilers, steam and gas turbines, generators, condensers, and cooling systems. Knowledge of these components helps in evaluating system performance, troubleshooting issues, and optimizing energy output in various power plant configurations, such as fossil fuel, nuclear, and renewable energy plants.
The Environmental Impact of power plant operations is also a significant concern. Reviewers should include topics on emissions control, waste management, and compliance with environmental regulations such as the Philippine Clean Air Act and other sustainability initiatives. Understanding these factors is essential for designing and operating environmentally responsible power plants.
Finally, Safety and Maintenance is critical to ensuring plant reliability and minimizing operational risks. Future mechanical engineers must be well-versed in safety protocols, maintenance strategies, failure analysis, and predictive maintenance techniques to reduce downtime and ensure efficient plant operations.
MECHANICAL ENGINEER REVIEWER
Welcome to our Mechanical Engineer Reviewer. In this session, you'll have the opportunity to test your understanding of key concepts in Power Plant Engineering. The quiz consists of multiple-choice questions covering various topics. Pay close attention to each question and select the best answer. After completing the exam, check the video or the answer key and explanations at the last part.
Thermodynamics
1. In a Rankine cycle, what is the primary function of the condenser?
A. Convert heat energy into work
B. Increase the pressure of the steam
C. Reject waste heat and condense steam into liquid
D. Superheat the steam before entering the turbine
2. What is the primary advantage of using a superheater in a steam power plant?
A. Reduces fuel consumption
B. Increases turbine efficiency by eliminating moisture
C. Increases condenser pressure
D. Reduces boiler maintenance
3. Which law of thermodynamics governs the efficiency limit of a heat engine?
A. Zeroth Law
B. First Law
C. Second Law
D. Third Law
4. Which thermodynamic cycle is most commonly used in gas turbine power plants?
A. Rankine Cycle
B. Otto Cycle
C. Brayton Cycle
D. Diesel Cycle
5. What is the primary function of a feedwater heater in a power plant?
A. Increase boiler pressure
B. Preheat the feedwater using extracted steam
C. Reduce turbine exhaust pressure
D. Cool the exhaust gases
6. What is the purpose of reheating steam in a Rankine cycle?
A. Reduce fuel consumption
B. Improve thermal efficiency by increasing average temperature of heat addition
C. Increase condenser pressure
D. Reduce cycle complexity
7. The thermal efficiency of an ideal Rankine cycle is improved by:
A. Increasing the condenser pressure
B. Lowering the boiler pressure
C. Increasing the boiler pressure
D. Increasing the moisture content of steam
Power Generation Systems
8. In a coal-fired power plant, what component pulverizes coal before combustion?
A. Economizer
B. Superheater
C. Pulverizer
D. Condenser
9. What is the main function of an economizer in a boiler system?
A. Superheat steam
B. Reduce fuel consumption by preheating feedwater
C. Remove flue gas pollutants
D. Increase the mass flow rate of steam
10. In a steam turbine, what device is used to regulate steam flow to the blades?
A. Nozzles
B. Bearings
C. Condenser tubes
D. Governors
11. What is the purpose of a cooling tower in a thermal power plant?
A. Heat the working fluid
B. Reduce temperature of exhaust gases
C. Dissipate waste heat from the condenser
D. Increase power output
12. In a hydroelectric power plant, what type of turbine is best suited for high-head, low-flow applications?
A. Francis
B. Pelton
C. Kaplan
D. Crossflow
13. In a diesel power plant, which component is used to supply air to the engine?
A. Compressor
B. Turbocharger
C. Governor
D. Intercooler
14. What type of fuel is primarily used in a gas turbine power plant?
A. Coal
B. Heavy fuel oil
C. Natural gas
D. Biomass
Environmental Impact
15. What is the primary pollutant produced by coal-fired power plants?
A. Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
B. Nitrogen gas (N₂)
C. Oxygen (O₂)
D. Methane (CH₄)
16. What technology is used to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in power plants?
A. Electrostatic precipitators
B. Flue gas desulfurization (scrubbers)
C. Catalytic converters
D. Cyclone separators
17. What is the primary advantage of a combined-cycle power plant?
A. Lower capital cost
B. Higher efficiency due to waste heat recovery
C. Simpler operation
D. Requires less cooling water
18. What is the main environmental concern of nuclear power plants?
A. Carbon emissions
B. Water pollution
C. Radioactive waste disposal
D. Noise pollution
19. Which renewable energy source is commonly used in geothermal power plants?
A. Solar radiation
B. Wind energy
C. Earth's heat
D. Biomass combustion
20. What is the primary function of an electrostatic precipitator in a coal-fired power plant?
A. Reduce NOâ‚“ emissions
B. Remove particulate matter from flue gases
C. Convert sulfur dioxide to sulfate
D. Increase combustion efficiency
21. Which of the following gases contributes most to global warming from power plants?
A. Nitrogen (N₂)
B. Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
C. Sulfur dioxide (SO₂)
D. Oxygen (O₂)
Safety and Maintenance
22. What is the purpose of a boiler safety valve?
A. Reduce energy losses
B. Prevent excessive pressure buildup
C. Control feedwater flow
D. Regulate steam temperature
23. Which maintenance strategy involves replacing components before they fail?
A. Reactive maintenance
B. Preventive maintenance
C. Corrective maintenance
D. Run-to-failure maintenance
24. What is the most common cause of turbine blade failure?
A. Electrical faults
B. Water hammer
C. Fatigue and creep
D. Condensation in steam lines
25. What type of fire extinguisher is best suited for electrical fires in power plants?
A. Water
B. Foam
C. CO₂
D. Dry powder
26. Which method is commonly used to detect leaks in a steam pipeline?
A. Thermographic imaging
B. Sound level measurement
C. Color testing
D. Ultrasonic testing
27. What is the main purpose of a blowdown system in a boiler?
A. Prevent corrosion by removing impurities
B. Increase boiler pressure
C. Reduce steam moisture content
D. Preheat feedwater
28. What is the primary safety concern in a nuclear power plant?
A. Cooling tower failure
B. Overheating of steam turbines
C. Radioactive material leakage
D. Excessive carbon emissions
29. What method is commonly used to test the integrity of a boiler tube?
A. Dye penetrant testing
B. Ultrasonic thickness measurement
C. Magnetic particle inspection
D. Radiographic inspection
30. Which of the following is a common cause of boiler tube failure?
A. Low feedwater temperature
B. Thermal fatigue and creep
C. Low flue gas temperature
D. Excessive condenser vacuum
ANSWER KEY HERE