COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

PUTRAJAYA CAMPUS
FINAL EXAMINATION
SEMESTER 2 2013/2014
POGRAMME

: Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Honours)

SUBJECT CODE

: MEHB403

SUBJECT

: Power Generation

DATE

: January 2014

Time

: (3 hours)

INSTRUCTIONS TO CANDIDATES:

1.

This paper contains SEVEN (7) questions in SIX (6) pages.

2.

Answer ALL questions.

3.

Write ALL answers in the answer booklet provided, AND write the answer to EACH
question on a new page.

4.

This examination pack consists of:

(a)

The Final Examination Paper.

(b)

The answer booklet.

THIS QUESTION PAPER CONSISTS OF 6 PRINTED PAGES INCLUDING THIS

COVER PAGE.

Page 1 of 6

MEHB403, Semester 2 2013/2014

QUESTION 1 [10 marks]

Gas turbine machines for power generation are generally operated either on simple or opencycle mode or on combined-cycle mode. A gas turbine with maximum efficiency on simple
cycle does not always provide an optimum combined-cycle plant. The optimum gas turbine
for simple cycle and the optimum gas turbine for combined-cycle are not the same.
For this reason, most of todays gas turbine machines are optimally suited for combined-cycle
installations.
(a)

Identify and list down which of the gas turbine plant operating parameters which have
very significant impact on the gas turbine performance optimization and overall
efficiency in simple cycle and in combined-cycle operating modes.

(b)

[4 marks]

Compare and appraise the significant impact of the above plant operating parameters
on the gas turbine performance optimization and overall efficiency in simple cycle
and in combined-cycle operating modes. Sketch and use relevant figures to illustrate
the impact of those parameters.

[6 marks]

QUESTION 2 [10 marks]

In general, hydroelectric power plants can be classified in the following way:
According to the availability of head of water,
According to the nature of plant loading,
According to the flow and quantity of water available.
(a)

Identify and list down the general types of hydroelectric power plants which are
classified according to the flow and quantity of water available.

(b)

[4 marks]

From the list of plant types in (a) above, identify and describe the types of
hydroelectric power plants which are currently installed and operated in the power
system grid in Peninsular Malaysia. Give one example for each of the plant types
described above.

[6 marks]

Page 2 of 6

MEHB403, Semester 2 2013/2014

QUESTION 3 [10 marks]

In the past, steam turbine plants for combined-cycle application were originally steam turbine
plants or derivatives from conventional power plant steam turbines. Nowadays, the design of
steam turbine plants for combined-cycle application are commonly provided with reheat
steam features.
(a)

Analyze the main differences between the design and construction of steam turbine
plants for conventional power plants and that for combined-cycle power plants.
[5 marks]

(b)

The steam mass flow in the steam turbine for a combined-cycle power plant usually
increases from the turbine inlet towards the turbine exhaust. Whereas, in the case of
steam turbine for conventional power plant, the steam mass flow is reduced to roughly
60% of the inlet flow at the turbine exhaust. Examine and compare why? [5 marks]

QUESTION 4 [10 marks]

The IEEE 762 Standard definitions for use in reporting power plant generating unit reliability,
availability and productivity are being used by TNB and the IPPs in the Generation
Availability Data System (GADS). By definition, Equivalent Availability Factor (EAF)
measures percent of maximum generation available over the Period Hour (PH) after all types
of the plant outages and capacity deratings on a generating unit are taken into account as
indicated in the expression below.

OUTAGE = Forced + Maintenance + Planned

(a)

Appraise the interpretation of the above expression and describe the elements which
constitute a plant outage as per above expression.

(b)

[4 marks]

Elaborate and compare what is the main difference between Availability Factor (AF)
and Equivalent Availability Factor (EAF).

Page 3 of 6

[6 marks]

MEHB403, Semester 2 2013/2014

QUESTION 5 [20 marks]

A gas turbine unit has a pressure ratio of 6/1 and a maximum cycle temperature of 600 o C.
The isentropic efficiencies of the compressor and the turbine are 0.82 and 0.85 respectively,
and air enters the compressor at 15o C at the rate of 15 kg/s. An electric generator is geared to
the turbine to generate electric power in kilowatts (kW).
The specific heat at constant pressure; cp = l.005 kJ/kg K and, = l.4 for the compression
process, the specific heat at constant pressure; c p = l.11 kJ/kg K and, = l.333 for the
expansion process, and the specific heat at constant pressure; c p = 1.11 kJ/kg K for the
combustion process in the gas turbine.
(a)

Construct and show the process flow line diagram (PFD), and the process cycle
diagram of the above power plant.

(b)

[4 marks]

Calculate the power output in kilowatts of the electric generator, the thermal
efficiency, and the work ratio of the above power plant.

[16 marks]

QUESTION 6 [20 marks]

In the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) between the Independent Power Producer (IPP) and
the power purchaser or off-taker, the power purchaser or off-taker pays the IPP both the
capacity price and the energy price. The cost of fuel is structured as a direct pass-through
item in the energy price. In an ideal case or situation, the IPP should have a guaranteed heat
rate from the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for the power plant
at least as efficient or preferably much lower than the PPA heat rate.
Table 1 below is used to show the analysis on the monetary impact of the PPA and the /EPC
heat rates discrepancy under three different power plant load factors, and to examine the
materiality of the mismatch of the heat rates and their impact on fuel consumption expenses
incurred by the IPP.

Page 4 of 6

MEHB403, Semester 2 2013/2014

Table 1 PPA/EPC Heat Rate Discrepancy under Different Plant Load Factors
No.

Plant load factors

Situation

75%

85%

95%

1
2
3

PPA heat rate (kJ/kWh)

EPC heat rate (kJ/kWh)
PPA gas consumption (GJ/6 rnonths)*

8,172
8,263

8,036
8,062

7,900
7,840

4
5
6
7

EPC gas consumption (GJ/6 months)*

PPA gas cost (US$ million/6 rnonths)*
EPC gas cost (US$ million/6 months)*
Gain /(Loss) (US$ million/6 months)

X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

Given Data:*
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
(a)

Dependable capacity: 450 MW

Gas price at US$1.117 per GJ.
Gas consumption = (Net electrical output) x (heat rate).
Gas cost = (Gas consumption) x (Gas price)
By referring to Table 1 and using the given data above, determine and show the
calculations for each of the power plant performance data marked (X) in Table 1
above.

(b)

[15 marks]

Evaluate and appraise what will be the main issue or consequences if there is a
mismatch between the guaranteed heat rate from the EPC contract for the power plant
and the PPA heat rate.

[5 marks]

QUESTION 7 [20 marks]

The gross heating value (GHV), specific gravity (SG) and Wobbe Number or Wobbe Index
(W.I) of a gas fuel is calculated based on the composition, by % volume, of such fuel as per
the International Standard ISO 6976: 1995. The composition of a dry gas fuel supplied by
PETRONAS to the power sector for power generation is as given in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Gas Fuels Composition and Quality Data Lean and Rich

Page 5 of 6

MEHB403, Semester 2 2013/2014

Gas
Components
CH4
C2H6
C3H8
iC4H10
nC4H10
C5H12
H2S
N2
CO2

Gas Composition
(% volume)
Lean

Rich

97.5
1.61
0.34
0
0
0
0
0.45
0.10

76.23
15.17
5.36
1.74
0.74
0.21
0
0.45
0.10

Molecular
Weight of Gas
Components

Gross Heating
Value (GHV),
MJ/Sm3

16.04
30.10
44.10
58.12
58.12
72.15
34.10
28.00
44.00

37.71
66.07
93.94
121.44
121.8
149.66
23.70
0
0

Using the above data on the fuel gas, calculate and determine the following:
(a)

The Gross Heating Value (GHV) in MJ/Sm3 and the Wobbe Number for each of the
above gas fuels; assuming the molecular weight of air is 29.0.

(b)

[8 marks]

Analyze and contrast the significant impact on the gas fuel quality; namely GHV and
Wobbe Number, due to variations in the % volume composition of the components of
the gas fuels as listed below:
i.

methane (CH4),

ii.

higher hydrocarbon components (C2H6, C3H8 to C5H12),

iii.

non-combustible components (CO2 and N2).

[12 marks]

-END OF QUESTION PAPER-

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