MU Mechanical Engineering (Semester 8)
Renewable Energy Sources
May 2015
Total marks: --
Total time: --
INSTRUCTIONS
(1) Assume appropriate data and state your reasons
(2) Marks are given to the right of every question
(3) Draw neat diagrams wherever necessary


1 (a) What is the importance of 'Non-Conventional Energy Source's in the context of Present Energy Scenario?
8 M
1 (b) Explain energy status of India & Maharashtra and role of NCES.
8 M
1 (c) Define the solar constant. What is its value?
4 M

2 (a) Define and explain the following:
i) latitude angle
ii) Hour angle iii) Declination angle iv) Day length.
8 M
2 (b) Estimate the monthly average daily global radiation on a horizontal surface at Ratnagiri (16°59' N, 72°05' E) during the 16th march if the average sunshine hours per day is 9.5. Assume the value of a=0.31 and b=0.43.
7 M
2 (c) Find the days of the year on which the sun is directly overhead at 1200 h (LAT) at Pune (18°32' N).
5 M

3 (a) What is Betz coefficient? Show that the maximum power coefficient is 59% for a horizontal axis wind mill.
10 M
3 (b) The following data are given for a family biogas digester suitable for the output of 10 cows; the retention time is 30 days, temperature 30°C, dry meter consumed 2kg/day/cow, and biogas yield is 0.24 m3 per kg. The efficiency of burner is 60%, methane proportion is 0.8. Heat of combustion of methane is 28 MJ/m3. Calculate the volume of digester and the power available from the digester. Assume density of dry material in the fluid is 50 kg/m3.
10 M

4 (a) A tidal power plant of the simple single basin type has a basin area of 30×106 m2. The tide has a range of 12m. The turbine however stops operating when the head on it fall below 3 m. Calculate the energy generated in one filling (or emptying) process, in kWh if the turbine generator efficiency =73%.
8 M
4 (b) Explain with neat sketches, how energy from Geothermal source can be obtained in different ways.
5 M
4 (c) Propeller type wind turbine of 120 m diameter is running with 40 rmp at a velocity of 15 m/s with maximum efficiency. The atmospheric pressure is 1.01325 bar and the temperature is 15°C Calculate:
i) The total power density in the wind stream
ii) The maximum obtainable power density.
iii) The total power.
7 M

5 (a) Plot the variation of τr, τα and τ with the angle of incidence for the following cover system:
Material  : Glass
Number of cover  =3
Thickness of each cover  = 4mm
Refractive index of glass relative to air  = 1.52
Extinction coefficient of glass  = 15 m-1
10 M
5 (b) Describe with a neat sketch the working of wind energy system showing the main components. Discuss advantages of wind energy conversion systems.
10 M

6 (a) Draw a neat diagram and explain working of a KVIC design of biogas digester?
10 M
6 (b) How can wave energy be utilized?
10 M

Write short notes on any four:
7 (a) Utilization of tidal energy.
5 M
7 (b) Site selection considerations for wind mill
5 M
7 (c) Fuel cells
5 M
7 (d) Micro-hydro power generation
5 M
7 (e) Operational and environmental problems of geothermal energy.
5 M



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