About this previous year paper
This document is the B.Tech Semester III (2020–21) Theory Examination question paper for the subject THERMODYNAMICS (KME301) under Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU).
The exam carries 100 marks, the duration is 3 hours, and the paper is divided into three main sections — SECTION A, SECTION B, and SECTION C — exactly as shown across the two uploaded pages.
The paper evaluates a student’s understanding of fundamental thermodynamic laws, properties of pure substances, heat engines, compressors, refrigeration cycles, Rankine cycle, entropy, and energy availability.
SECTION A — Short Answer Questions (10 × 2 = 20 Marks)
This section appears on Page 1 and contains 10 brief questions, each carrying 2 marks.
These questions cover essential thermodynamic basics:
Difference between macroscopic and microscopic viewpoints
Reversible process and its conditions
Third law of thermodynamics
Principle of entropy increase
Meaning of effectiveness and irreversibility
Adiabatic vs isothermal compressibility
Sensible heat and latent heat of vaporization
Dryness fraction calculation of wet steam
Properties of refrigerant
Bell Coleman cycle definition
These short questions test conceptual clarity and quick recall of fundamental principles.
SECTION B — Long Answer Questions (Attempt Any 3 × 10 = 30 Marks)
Section B begins on Page 1.
There are five descriptive questions, from which students must attempt any three.
Topics include:
Polytropic gas expansion with given p–v1.2=Cp–v^{1.2} = Cp–v1.2=C relationship and heat transfer calculation
Derivation of thermal efficiency of Carnot engine
Loss of available energy during heat transfer in a steam generator
Rankine cycle efficiency for steam plant operating between 260°C and 95°C
COP of absorption refrigeration system given operating temperatures
These questions require formulas, thermodynamic relationships, and numerical calculations.
SECTION C — Advanced / Applied Thermodynamics (Q3–Q7, 10 Marks Each)
Section C spans Page 1 and Page 2, containing five groups (Q3 to Q7).
For each group, students must attempt any one part (a or b).
Q3 — Compressor–Turbine System OR Air-Standard Cycle
Turbine exhaust temperature from compressor–heater–turbine system
OR
Complete thermodynamic analysis of an air cycle (adiabatic compression, constant-pressure heating, constant-volume cooling)
Q4 — Heat Engine + Heat Pump OR Entropy Change
Ratio of heat transfers using heat engine & heat pump combination
OR
Entropy change during adiabatic mixing of water at two different temperatures
Q5 — Availability & Irreversibility OR Clausius–Clapeyron Equation
Availability transfer rate and irreversibility in an adiabatic compressor
OR
Derivation of Clausius–Clapeyron equation
Q6 — Steam Power Cycle OR Steam Power Plant
Rankine cycle with ideal and real processes (turbine & pump efficiencies)
OR
Components and working of steam power plant with schematic
Q7 — Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle
All processes of VCR cycle with p–v and T–s diagrams
OR
Calculations for standard VCR cycle using refrigerant F-12:
Refrigerant flow rate
Power consumption
COP of the cycle
This section evaluates students on cycle analysis, energy interactions, efficiency, entropy, and refrigeration/steam system performance.
OVERALL SUMMARY OF THE DOCUMENT
The Thermodynamics (KME301) exam paper thoroughly assesses the following core areas:
Basic thermodynamic laws and concepts
Reversible & irreversible processes
Entropy, availability, irreversibility
Heat engines, Carnot cycle
Steam power cycles (Rankine cycle)
Refrigeration cycles (Bell Coleman & vapour compression)
Air-standard cycles
Compressors & turbines
Properties of pure substances (dryness fraction, latent heat)
Real-world thermodynamic systems and energy calculations
The structure of the paper is balanced:
Section A → Quick conceptual recall
Section B → Numerical + derivation-focused problems
Section C → Full thermodynamic cycle analysis and applied systems
This document provides a complete, standard AKTU-style thermodynamics assessment.