Engineering Questions with Answers - Multiple Choice Questions
Thermal Engineering MCQ’s – Reciprocating Steam Engine – Definition and Classification
1 - Question
Which of the following statements are correct regarding reciprocating steam engines?
a) It is a form of heat engine
b) It converts heat energy to mechanical work
c) It has high thermal efficiency
d) It is used in locomotives, ships etc
View Answer
Explanation: Steam engines have low thermal efficiency. They are used particularly where small powers and low speeds are required. They are mainly used in ships and locomotives. A steam engine (a form of heat engine) converts heat energy into mechanical work due to the action of steam in the piston (reciprocating)
2 - Question
According to the class of service, reciprocating steam engines are classified into _____
a) Stationary, Marine, Locomotive and Pumping
b) Stationary and Moving
c) Portable and Compound
d) Manual, Automatic and Centrifugal
View Answer
Explanation: Based on the class of service, reciprocating steam engines are classified into four categories – stationary, marine, locomotive and pumping (also called hoisting). Stationary reciprocating steam engines are used in the applications where the engine is not moved. Locomotive steam engines are used in trains(steam-powered) etc., marine engines in marine applications like ships.
3 - Question
According to the speed of rotation, reciprocating steam engines are classified into _____
a) Vertical, horizontal and inclined
b) Stationary, locomotive and marine
c) High speed, Medium speed and low speed
d) Slow, fast and very fast
View Answer
Explanation: Based on the speed of rotation, reciprocating steam engines are classified into three categories – High speed, Medium speed and low speed steam engines. High speed steam engines have speed above 300 r.p.m., medium speed steam engines have speed between 125 r.p.m. and 300 r.p.m. and low speed steam engines have speed below 125 r.p.m.
4 - Question
A vertical reciprocating steam engine having its cylinder above the crankshaft is known as _____
a) Horizontal inverted engine
b) Inclined inverted engine
c) Horizontal engine
d) Vertical inverted engine
View Answer
Explanation: According to the arrangement of cylinder in a reciprocating steam engine, they are classified into vertical, horizontal and inclined steam engines. A common form of vertical steam engine, in which the cylinder is located above the crankshaft is known as vertical inverted steam engine.
5 - Question
Based on the arrangement of cylinder, reciprocating steam engines are classified into _____
a) Vertical, inclined and horizontal
b) Straight-up and straight-down
c) Straight and inverted
d) Horizontal, vertical, horizontal inverted and vertical inverted
View Answer
Explanation: According to the arrangement of cylinder, reciprocating steam engines are classified into vertical, horizontal and inclined. Vertical reciprocating steam engines have their cylinder in vertical positon while, horizontal steam engines have it in horizontal alignment. Inclined steam engine has its cylinder at an angle.
6 - Question
Which of the following is NOT a type of reciprocating steam engine (based on the type of valve design)?
a) Simple D valve
b) Corliss valve
c) Piston valve
d) Cylinder valve
View Answer
Explanation: Reciprocating steam engines, based on their valve design, are classified into – simple D valve, balance plate valve, piston valve, riding cut-off valve, poppet valve and Corliss valve. There is no such type as cylinder valve.
7 - Question
According to the action of steam upon the piston, reciprocating steam engines are classified as expansive engines and non-expansive engines.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Based on the action of steam upon the piston, reciprocating engines are classified into single acting and double reciprocating steam engines. Expansive and non-expansive classification of steam engines is based on the nature of expansion.
8 - Question
Steam acts only on one side of the piston in _____
a) Single acting reciprocating pump
b) Double acting reciprocating pump
c) Compound reciprocating steam engine
d) High speed reciprocating steam engine
View Answer
Explanation: In case of single acting reciprocating steam engine, steam acts on one side of the piston. The other side of the piston is open to atmosphere. But in case of double acting reciprocating steam engine, steam acts on both the sides of the reciprocating steam engine, alternatively.
9 - Question
According to the range of expansion of steam, reciprocating steam engine are classified into _____
a) Expansive and non-expansive steam engines
b) Simple steam engine and compound steam engines
c) Condensing and non-condensing steam engines
d) Single acting and double acting steam engines
View Answer
Explanation: Reciprocating steam engines, based on the expansion of steam, are classified into 2 categories – Simple steam engine and compound steam engine. In case of simple steam engine, the expansion of steam takes place in a single cylinder, while in case of compound steam engine, the expansion of steam takes place in multiple steps, in multiple cylinders.
10 - Question
Based on the type of exhaust, reciprocating steam engines are classified into _____
a) Condensing and non-condensing steam engines
b) Single acting and double acting steam engines
c) Simple and compound steam engines
d) Locomotive and marine steam engines
View Answer
Explanation: Reciprocating steam engines, based on the exhaust type, are classified into condensing and non-condensing steam engines. Condensing steam engines are those in which the absolute exhaust pressure is below atmospheric pressure. While the exhaust pressure of non-condensing steam engines is at or above atmospheric pressure.
11 - Question
According to the nature of expansion, reciprocating steam engines are classified into _____
a) Condensing and non-condensing
b) Radial and non-radial
c) Expansive and non-expansive
d) Single acting and double acting
View Answer
Explanation: According to the nature of expansion, reciprocating steam engines are classified into two categories – Expansive and Non-expansive steam engines. Single acting and double acting are types of reciprocating steam engines, based on the action of steam upon the piston. Classification into condensing and non-condensing is based on the type of exhaust.
12 - Question
Expansive reciprocating steam engines are used for all industrial purposes for the power development.
a) True
b) False
View Answer
Explanation: Expansive type reciprocating steam engines are used for power development (for all industrial purposes). The non-expansive reciprocating steam engines are used only in limited cases. Such as direct acting pumps, rolling mills etc.