About this previous year paper
Subject: Chemical Technology – I (CH403)
Duration: 3 Hours
Maximum Marks: 100
Section A – Short Answer Questions (10 × 2 = 20 Marks)
This section tests your basic definitions and industrial terminology understanding.
Important topics include:
Fermentation: Process definition and uses in industry.
Citric Acid: Properties and production process.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride): Definition and applications.
Visbreaking: Thermal cracking process for reducing oil viscosity.
Petroleum Wax: Composition and uses.
Edible Oil: Definition, extraction, and examples.
Dacron: Polyester fiber and its manufacturing.
Drugs & Antibiotics: Basic definition and examples (e.g., Penicillin, Streptomycin).
Molasses: By-product of sugar industry used in fermentation.
Lube Oil: Role in lubrication and refining.
Section B – Descriptive / Process-Based Questions (5 × 10 = 50 Marks)
These questions require clear diagrams, flow charts, and explanations of industrial manufacturing processes.
Key questions include:
Soap vs. Detergent: Comparison and detergent manufacturing process.
Sugar Manufacturing: With diagram + waste utilization.
Short Notes: Natural rubber and fatty acids.
Nylon-6 vs. Nylon-6,6: Reaction mechanisms and applications.
Paper Manufacturing: Types of paper + process diagram.
Vacuum Distillation: Principle and process sketch.
Viscose Rayon: Raw materials and flow diagram.
Cumene Manufacturing: Chemical process and engineering issues.
Section C – Long Analytical Questions (2 × 15 = 30 Marks)
Detailed, reasoning-based industrial questions with explanations and diagrams.
Catalytic Cracking:
Principle of catalytic cracking.
Comparison with visbreaking (why it’s more efficient).
Neat process sketch required.
Vulcanization and Reclaiming of Rubber:
Vulcanization process and its importance.
Reclaiming of waste rubber.
Manufacturing of SBR (Styrene Butadiene Rubber) with diagram.
Alcohol Production:
Uses of alcohol in chemical industries.
Manufacturing process (fermentation-based).
Chemical reactions involved.
Major Topics Covered in CH403
Industrial fermentation processes
Sugar and alcohol manufacturing
Soap, detergent, and petroleum refining
Synthetic fibers (nylon, rayon, dacron)
Rubber technology (vulcanization, SBR)
Paper industry process
Petroleum processing (cracking, distillation)
Chemical manufacturing (cumene, citric acid, etc.)
Exam Preparation Tips
Prepare flow diagrams and reaction mechanisms neatly — these carry high marks.
Focus on industrial applications and by-products — many 5- and 10-mark questions come from these.
Revise definitions like visbreaking, fermentation, polymerization, and lubricating oil.
Study chemical equations for nylon, rayon, and alcohol synthesis — they often appear in long questions.
Be clear on differences (e.g., soap vs. detergent, nylon-6 vs nylon-6,6) — these are favorite exam topics.