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Introduction to Environmental Engineering and Science – Fundamental and Sustainability Concepts
Assignment- 4
TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ/MSQ
Number of questions: 15 Total Marks 15 x 2 = 30
1. What is the key assumption in the mass balance equation for a batch reactor?
a. Continuous inflow and outflow of mass
b. Complete mixing with no inflow or outflow
c. Constant temperature and pressure
d. Mass transfer occurs at steady-state conditions
Correct Answer: - b
Detailed Solution:
A batch reactor assumes complete mixing with no inflow or outflow during the reaction.
2. How does the concentration change in a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) under
steady-state conditions?
a. Linearly with time
b. Exponentially with time
c. Remains constant
d. Oscillates periodically
Correct Answer: - c
Detailed Solution:
In a CSTR under steady-state conditions, the concentration remains constant as mass input
equals mass output.
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3. What is the fundamental difference between advection and dispersion in pollutant transport?
a. Advection involves random motion, while dispersion is due to bulk flow.
b. Advection transports pollutants with bulk flow, while dispersion spreads them due to random
motion.
c. Advection requires molecular diffusion, while dispersion is unrelated to diffusion.
d. Advection depends on turbulent flow, while dispersion occurs only in laminar flow.
Correct Answer: - b
Detailed Solution:
Advection transports pollutants along with bulk flow, while dispersion results from random
molecular or turbulent motions.
4. Which law is used to calculate dispersive flux density in mass transport processes?
a. Fick’s Law
b. Stokes’ Law
c. Bernoulli’s Equation
d. Planck’s Equation
Correct Answer:- a
Detailed Solution:
Fick’s Law describes the relationship between concentration gradients and dispersive flux density.
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5. Calculate the time to reduce the concentration of pollutant A to 1% of its initial value in a
constant volume batch reactor for the reaction
AB
With reaction rate = -kCA, when k = 0.23 min-1.
a. 50 min
b. 40 min
c. 30 min
d. 20 min
Correct Answer: - d
Detailed Solution:
6. What determines the terminal settling velocity of a particle in a fluid according to Stokes’ Law?
a. Viscosity of the fluid
b. Particle diameter
c. Density difference between particle and fluid
d. All of the above
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Correct Answer: - d
Detailed Solution:
Stokes' Law states that the terminal settling velocity depends on viscosity, particle diameter, and the
density difference.
7. Calculate the flow rate of the CMBR if the volume of the reactor is 100 m3 and the retention time is 5
days?
a. 25 m3/day
b. 50 m3/day
c. 10 m3/day
d. 20 m3/day
Correct Answer: - d
Detailed Solution:
Flow rate = V/T = 100/5 = 20 m3/day
8. Determine the volume of Plug flow reactor to obtain the effluent concentration of 50 mg/L by assuming
the flow rate of 100 m3/day and first order decay rate constant of k = 0.23/day and influent concentration
is 200 mg/L?
a. 525 m3
b. 500 m3
c. 603 m3
d. 900 m3
Correct Answer: - c
Detailed Solution:
V = -Ln(50/200)*100/0.23 = 603 m3
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9. Why is the Reynold’s number significant in determining flow patterns in fluid mechanics?
a. It quantifies the rate of molecular diffusion.
b. It predicts whether flow is laminar or turbulent.
c. It measures the efficiency of heat transfer.
d. It calculates the net flux in advection.
Correct Answer:- b
Detailed Solution:
Reynold’s number distinguishes between laminar and turbulent flow regimes.
10. How is energy loss as waste heat typically calculated in a thermal power plant?
a. By using the Reynolds number
b. By measuring the efficiency of cooling systems
c. By subtracting the generator’s output energy from the total input energy
d. By applying Stokes' drag equation
Correct Answer: - c
Detailed Solution:
Energy loss as waste heat is calculated as the difference between total input energy and the
generator’s output.
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11. _____________ is the dimensionless quantity used to find the laminar flow pattern of the flow.
a. Vortex number
b. Reynolds number
c. Viscosity number
d. None of the above
Correct Answer: - b
Detailed Solution:
12. What is the significance of the drag force in Stokes’ law for gravitational settling of particles?
a. It depends on the temperature gradient in the fluid.
b. It decreases with an increase in fluid velocity.
c. It resists the gravitational force acting on a particle.
d. It is inversely proportional to particle density.
Correct Answer: c
Detailed Solution:
Drag force opposes the gravitational force, balancing the particle's motion during settling.
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13. In a zero-order reaction occurring in a batch reactor, what is the dependency of the rate of reaction
on the reactant concentration?
a. Directly proportional
b. Inversely proportional
c. Independent of concentration
d. Exponentially dependent
Correct Answer: - c
Detailed Solution:
A zero-order reaction rate is independent of reactant concentration.
14. Which assumption is not made in applying Fick’s Law to diffusion processes?
a. Steady-state concentration gradients
b. Molecular motion is random
c. Flow velocity is constant
d. Diffusion is isotropic
Correct Answer: c
Detailed Solution:
Fick’s Law assumes steady-state gradients, random molecular motion, and isotropic diffusion but does
not require constant flow velocity.
15. Which type of pollutant transport is most likely to dominate in highly turbulent water bodies?
a. Advection
b. Molecular diffusion
c. Eddy dispersion
d. Gravitational settling
Correct Answer: - c
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Detailed Solution:
In turbulent flows, eddy dispersion is the primary transport mechanism due to random turbulent
motion.
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