Power Plant Engineering Review Flashcards

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from mechanical engineering readings covering thermodynamics, fluid dynamics, power plant systems, and refrigeration.

Vapor

A substance in a gaseous state when it is below its critical temperature.

Critical Point

The condition of pressure and temperature at which a liquid and its vapor are indistinguishable.

Compressed Liquid

The state achieved if temperature is held constant and pressure is increased beyond the saturation pressure.

Francis Turbine Flow Type

Characterized by inward flow reaction.

Latent Heat of Vaporization Value

Equal to $22.6 \times 10^5$\,J/kg.

Heat

Form of energy associated with the kinetic energy of the random motion of a large number of molecules.

Fusion Curve

In a P-T diagram of a pure substance, the curve separating the solid phase from the liquid phase.

Atomic Number

The number of protons in the nucleus of an atom or the number of electrons in the orbit of an atom.

Pipeline Fluid Energy Function

A function of height above a chosen datum, density, internal energy, pressure, and velocity of flow.

Pelton Turbine

A type of impulse water turbine.

Charles' Law

States that if the pressure of a confined gas is constant, volume is directly proportional to absolute temperature.

Black Body

A theoretical body which when heated to incandescence would emit a continuous light-ray spectrum.

Backfire

Ignition of the air-fuel mixture in the intake or exhaust manifold.

High Side Float Control

Controlled by the operation of the condenser and receiver.

Vapor (Below Critical Temp)

The term for a substance in the gaseous state below its critical temperature.

Standard Gas Condition Set

Defined as $101.325$\,kPa, $273$\,K, and $22.4$\,m$^3$/kg mole.

Avogadro's Number

The constant number of molecules contained in a mole of any substance.

Cogeneration

A simultaneous generation of electricity and steam (or heat) in a single power plant.

Subcooled Liquid

A liquid whose temperature is below the saturation temperature corresponding to its pressure.

Air Compressor

Pump used to increase air pressure above normal to provide air as motive power.

Hydraulic Gradient

The locus of elevations.

Sensible Cooling Moisture Content

Remains unchanged during the process.

Flooded Evaporator Flash Gas Path

Passes directly into the suction line when using an accumulator and float valve.

Adiabatic Process

A thermodynamic process that has zero heat transfer.

Rankine Cycle Non-applicability

The cycle on which internal combustion engines never work.

Refrigeration Pressure Dividing Point

The dividing point between the high-pressure and low-pressure sides occurring at the expansion valve.

Centripetal Force

The force which tends to draw a body toward the center about which it is rotating.

Percent Excess Air Formula Base

Calculated by dividing difference of actual and required air by the theoretically supplied air.

Low Bypass Factor Air Requirement

Requires a lesser amount of air.

Potential at a Point

Work done per unit charge when charge is moved from one point to another.

Millibar Equivalence

A pressure of $1$\,millibar is equivalent to $1000$\,dynes/cm$^2$.

Convection Heat Transfer

Heat transfer due to density differential.

Quasi-Static Process

Process where a system deviates infinitesimally from equilibrium at every instant.

Evaporator Load Decrease Effect

Causes low suction pressure, assuming all other conditions remain constant.

Load Factor

The ratio of the average load to the peak load over a designated period of time.

Hygrograph

A clockwork-operated device which records continuously the humidity of the atmosphere.

Calorimeter

An apparatus used in the analysis of combustible gases.

Laminar Flow

Fluid flow where layers travel parallel and paths of individual particles do not cross.

First Law Ideal Gas Reversible Open System Equation

Expressed as $Q - P\,dV = H_2 - H_1$.

Compressed Liquid (Higher Pressure)

A liquid whose pressure is higher than the saturation pressure corresponding to its temperature.

Hydraulic Gradient Line

The locus of elevation to which water will rise in a piezometer tube.

Total Energy in Pipeline Flow

Function of flow energy, kinetic energy, height above datum, and internal energy.

Specific Gravity

The ratio of the density of a substance to the density of some standard substance.

Steady Flow

Flow where at any instant, the number of particles passing every cross-section is the same.

Orifice Discharge Quantity Formula

The hydraulic formula $C A \sqrt{2gh}$ used to find quantity of discharge through an orifice.

Internal Energy

The sum of the energies of all molecules in a system.

Boiling Point

The temperature at which a liquid's vapor pressure is equal to the pressure exerted on it.

Compound Turbine

Type of turbine that has high pressure and low pressure sections.

Air Supply Duct Design

Affects the distribution of air in an air conditioning system.

Sublimation

The changing of solid directly to vapor, without passing through the liquid state.

Discharge

The volume of a fluid passing a cross-section stream in unit time.

Weight Density

Weight per unit volume.

Newton

The SI unit of force.

Regenerator

Heat exchanger providing heat transfer between exhaust gases and air prior to the combustor.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

States heat normally flows from high to low temperature bodies and cannot be completely converted without other effects.

Petroleum Lubricating Oil Degradation Products

Gums, resins, and acids under high pressure and temperature.

Penstock

The intake pipe to a hydraulic turbine from a dam.

Carbon Combustion Yield

When $1$\,mol of carbon reacts with $1$\,mol of oxygen, it yields $1$\,mol carbon dioxide.

Anemometer

A device for measuring the velocity of wind.

Diesel Engine Efficiency Factor

Air standard efficiency of a diesel engine depends on compression ratio.

Heavy Water Formula

Represented by the chemical formula $D_2O$.

Diversity Factor

Ratio of the sum of individual maximum demands to the overall maximum demand of the whole system.

Air Cooler

Mechanism designed to lower the temperature of air passing through.

Radiological Exposure Measure

Calculated as $x = \text{no. of ions produced per mass of air} \times \text{coulombs per kg}$.

Lube Oil Viscosity Threshold

Viscosity of petroleum lube oil changes rapidly above $180^\circ\text{F}$.

Pelton Wheel Impulse

A water turbine driven by impulse when a jet of water falls on its blades or buckets.

Low Suction Pressure Cause

Resulting condition when evaporator load decreases while other factors remain constant.

Adiabatic Throttling Condition

Enthalpy remains constant throughout the process.

Specific Gravity Liquid Base

The ratio of a substance's density to the density of water.

Heavy Water Reactor Use

Used as a moderator in certain types of nuclear reactors.

Fermenters

Equipment where yeast is added as raw material for beer making.

Dehydrator

Device that keeps moisture from passing through a refrigeration system.

Combined Cycle Power Plant Components

Main components consist of a gas engine and waste heat boiler.

Atomic Transmutation

Changing an atom of an element into an atom of a different element with a different atomic mass.

Atmospheric Pressure

The weight of the column of air above the earth's surface.

Evaporative Cooling Process

Combined process of cooling and humidifying air.

Dyne

The force required to accelerate a mass of $1$\,gram at a rate of $1$\,cm/sec$^2$.

Francis Turbine Application

Type of water turbine designed for low head and high discharge.

Bull Head Tee

A pipe tee the branch of which is larger than the run.

Gas Turbine in Cogeneration

Main power plant generating maximum electricity per unit thermal energy with high surplus electricity.

Cut-off Ratio

Ratio of the volume at the end of heat addition to the volume at the start of heat addition.

Brayton Cycle

The ideal thermodynamic cycle for gas turbine work.

Conduction

The passing of heat energy from molecule to molecule through a substance.

Temperature of Adiabatic Saturation

The lowest temperature to which water could possibly be cooled in a cooling tower.

Octane Number

Indicator used to determine the anti-knock characteristics of gasoline.

Dew Point

The temperature to which air must be cooled at constant pressure to produce saturation.

Straight Lubricating Oil

Lube oil produced entirely from crude oil through elimination of undesirable constituents by refining.

Geothermal Steam Expansion Process

Polytropic process when saturated steam passes through the turbine in liquid-dominated geothermal plant.

Isometric Process

Process where gas is heated at constant volume.

Air Receiver Collector Function

Used in an air compression system to collect water and grease suspended in the air.

Concrete Foundation Proportions

Built in the proportion of $1:2:4$ (Portland cement : sand : crushed stones).

Regenerator Work Effect

Work per unit mass flow of air in compressor and turbine remains unchanged.

Kinetic Energy Conversion Equation

Expressed by $RL = \frac{1}{2} M V^2$.

Steam Generator Furnace Pressure

Remains approximately constant when load is increased with good combustion control.

Lubricating Oil Color Significance

Does not indicate qualities of the lubricating oil.

Foundation Center of Gravity Placement

Should be kept below the foundation top for design stability.

Lube Oil Deterioration Temperature

Most commercial petroleum lube oils deteriorate starting at $200^\circ\text{F}$.

Maximum Permissible Dose (MPD) General Public

Suggested maximum gamma ray dose is $\frac{1}{2}$\,rem/year.

Lubricating Oil Classifications

Two broad types are straight and additives.

Compression Joint Function

Tightening compresses tapered sleeves to form a tight joint on tubing periphery.