UPSC IES/ESE (Engineering Services) Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer Syllabus

Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer in UPSC IES/ESE (Engineering Services), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Laws of Thermodynamics and Energy Systems

   4 topics

   • Zeroth, first and second laws of thermodynamics
   • Entropy, availability and irreversibility
   • Properties of pure substances and steam tables
   • Thermodynamic cycles
     • Carnot, Rankine and Brayton cycles
     • Otto, Diesel and dual cycles
2. 2

   Fluid Statics and Kinematics

   4 topics

   • Fluid properties, pressure and manometry
   • Hydrostatic forces on surfaces and buoyancy
   • Continuity, stream function and velocity potential
   • Flow visualization and types of flow
3. 3

   Fluid Dynamics and Flow Measurement

   4 topics

   • Bernoulli's equation and its applications
   • Momentum equation and forces on bends
   • Laminar and turbulent flow in pipes, losses
   • Flow measurement devices
     • Venturimeter and orificemeter
     • Pitot tube and notches
4. 4

   Boundary Layer, Dimensional Analysis and Turbomachinery

   4 topics

   • Boundary layer theory and separation
   • Drag, lift and flow over bodies
   • Dimensional analysis and similitude
   • Hydraulic turbines and pumps
     • Pelton, Francis and Kaplan turbines
     • Centrifugal and reciprocating pumps
5. 5

   Conduction, Convection and Radiation

   4 topics

   • Fourier law and steady-state conduction
   • Fins, transient conduction and lumped analysis
   • Free and forced convection, dimensionless numbers
   • Radiation laws, shape factors and exchange
6. 6

   Heat Exchangers and Applied Thermal Engineering

   4 topics

   • Heat exchangers, LMTD and effectiveness-NTU methods
   • Boiling and condensation heat transfer
   • Refrigeration and air-conditioning cycles
   • Internal combustion engines and combustion basics

Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer flashcards for UPSC IES/ESE (Engineering Services)

18 of 51 cards from the Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. State the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics and explain its significance.

   If two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. Its significance: it establishes temperature as a measurable property and is the basis for thermometry.

2. State the First Law of Thermodynamics for a closed system undergoing a cycle and for a process.

   For a cycle: $\oint \delta Q = \oint \delta W$. For a process: $\delta Q - \delta W = dU$, i.e. $Q_{1\text{-}2} - W_{1\text{-}2} = U_2 - U_1$, expressing conservation of energy.

3. Give the Kelvin-Planck and Clausius statements of the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

   Kelvin-Planck: It is impossible to construct a device operating in a cycle that produces no effect other than work output while exchanging heat with a single reservoir. Clausius: It is impossible to construct a device operating in a cycle whose sole effect is the transfer of heat from a cooler to a hotter body.

4. Define entropy and write the Clausius inequality.

   Entropy is a property defined by $dS = \left(\frac{\delta Q}{T}\right)_{rev}$. The Clausius inequality states $\oint \frac{\delta Q}{T} \leq 0$, with equality for a reversible cycle and inequality for an irreversible cycle.

5. Define availability (exergy) of a closed system and write its expression.

   Availability is the maximum useful work obtainable as a system comes to equilibrium with the surroundings (dead state). For a closed system: $\phi = (U - U_0) + p_0(V - V_0) - T_0(S - S_0)$, where subscript $0$ denotes the dead state.

6. Define irreversibility and relate it to entropy generation (Gouy-Stodola theorem).

   Irreversibility is the lost available work: $I = W_{max} - W_{actual} = T_0 \, \Delta S_{gen} \geq 0$, where $T_0$ is the surroundings temperature and $\Delta S_{gen}$ is the total (universe) entropy generation.

7. What is a pure substance, and what is meant by the saturation (two-phase) region?

   A pure substance has a fixed, homogeneous chemical composition throughout (e.g. water, steam, or their mixture). The saturation region is where liquid and vapour coexist in equilibrium at the saturation temperature corresponding to the saturation pressure.

8. Define dryness fraction (quality) $x$ and write the specific enthalpy of wet steam in terms of it.

   Quality $x = \dfrac{m_{vapour}}{m_{vapour}+m_{liquid}}$. Specific enthalpy of wet steam: $h = h_f + x\, h_{fg}$, where $h_{fg} = h_g - h_f$ is the latent heat of vaporization.

9. What information do steam tables provide and what is the use of the Mollier (h-s) diagram?

   Steam tables give saturated and superheated property values ($p$, $T$, $v_f$, $v_g$, $h_f$, $h_g$, $h_{fg}$, $s_f$, $s_g$, etc.). The Mollier (enthalpy-entropy) diagram plots $h$ vs $s$ and is convenient for finding enthalpy drops in turbines and nozzles.

10. Define the critical point and triple point of water.

    Critical point: the state where saturated liquid and saturated vapour are identical; for water $p_c \approx 22.12\ \text{MPa}$, $T_c \approx 374.15\,^{\circ}\text{C}$, beyond which no distinct phases exist. Triple point: where solid, liquid and vapour coexist; for water $T \approx 0.01\,^{\circ}\text{C}$, $p \approx 0.6113\ \text{kPa}$.

11. Write the efficiency of a Carnot engine and the COP of a Carnot refrigerator and heat pump.

    $\eta_{Carnot} = 1 - \dfrac{T_L}{T_H}$; $\;\text{COP}_{ref} = \dfrac{T_L}{T_H - T_L}$; $\;\text{COP}_{HP} = \dfrac{T_H}{T_H - T_L}$, with temperatures in Kelvin.

12. List the four processes of the Carnot cycle in order.

    1) Reversible isothermal heat addition at $T_H$; 2) reversible adiabatic (isentropic) expansion; 3) reversible isothermal heat rejection at $T_L$; 4) reversible adiabatic (isentropic) compression.

13. List the four processes of the ideal Rankine cycle.

    1) Isentropic compression in the pump; 2) constant-pressure heat addition in the boiler; 3) isentropic expansion in the turbine; 4) constant-pressure heat rejection in the condenser.

14. Write the thermal efficiency of the Rankine cycle in terms of enthalpies.

    $\eta_{Rankine} = \dfrac{w_{turbine} - w_{pump}}{q_{in}} = \dfrac{(h_1 - h_2) - (h_4 - h_3)}{h_1 - h_4}$, where $1$=turbine inlet, $2$=turbine exit, $3$=pump inlet (condenser exit), $4$=pump exit (boiler inlet).

15. What is the purpose of reheating and regeneration in the Rankine cycle?

    Reheat: expand steam partly, reheat it, then expand again — reduces turbine-exit moisture and raises mean temperature of heat addition. Regeneration: use extracted (bled) steam in feedwater heaters to preheat feedwater, raising cycle efficiency by reducing external heat addition at low temperature.

16. List the four processes of the ideal (open) Brayton cycle.

    1) Isentropic compression in compressor; 2) constant-pressure heat addition in combustor; 3) isentropic expansion in turbine; 4) constant-pressure heat rejection. It is the air-standard cycle for gas turbines.

17. Write the air-standard efficiency of the Brayton cycle in terms of pressure ratio.

    $\eta_{Brayton} = 1 - \dfrac{1}{r_p^{\,(\gamma-1)/\gamma}}$, where $r_p = \dfrac{p_2}{p_1}$ is the pressure ratio and $\gamma = c_p/c_v$.

18. Write the air-standard efficiency of the Otto cycle and name its processes.

    $\eta_{Otto} = 1 - \dfrac{1}{r^{\,\gamma-1}}$, where $r$ is the compression ratio. Processes: isentropic compression, constant-volume heat addition, isentropic expansion, constant-volume heat rejection.

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