Hydrology and Hydraulics for Renewable Energy Systems: Master Water Flow and Dam Design

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a key principle of dam design?

Accepted Answer

Maximizing the architectural appeal of the structure

Answer

Ensuring structural stability against water pressure

Answer

Calculating the maximum water storage capacity

Answer

Predicting the impact on downstream water flow

Question 2

What is the primary factor influencing the efficiency of a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

The height of the water drop

Answer

The volume of water flow

Answer

The type of turbine used

Answer

The temperature of the water

Question 3

What is the purpose of a draft tube in a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

To reduce cavitation damage to the turbine blades

Answer

To increase the water pressure before entering the turbine

Answer

To control the flow rate of water entering the turbine

Answer

To store excess water for future use

Question 4

What is the formula for calculating the pressure drop in a pipe according to the Darcy-Weisbach equation?

Accepted Answer

ΔP = f * (L/D) * (ρ/2) * v^2

Answer

ΔP = f * (D/L) * (ρ/2) * v^2

Answer

ΔP = (f/L) * (D/ρ) * v^2

Answer

ΔP = (f/D) * (L/ρ) * v^2

Question 5

Which type of flow regime occurs when the Reynolds number exceeds 2300?

Accepted Answer

Turbulent flow

Answer

Laminar flow

Answer

Transitional flow

Answer

Supercritical flow

Question 6

What is the main purpose of a surge tank in a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

To prevent pressure surges in the penstock

Answer

To store excess water for later use

Answer

To regulate the flow rate of water entering the turbine

Answer

To provide a stable water supply to the turbine

Question 7

Which of the following is a key factor in determining the potential energy available at a hydropower site?

Accepted Answer

Elevation difference (Head)

Answer

Volume of water

Answer

Flow rate

Answer

Efficiency of the turbine

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of a spillway in a dam?

Accepted Answer

Control water levels and prevent overtopping

Answer

Generate electricity

Answer

Store water for irrigation

Answer

Protect the dam from erosion

Question 9

What is the purpose of a draft tube in a hydroelectric power plant?

Accepted Answer

Increase water pressure and recover energy

Answer

Reduce turbine speed

Answer

Convert hydraulic energy to electrical energy

Answer

Protect the turbine from cavitation

Question 10

What is the role of the Reynolds number in fluid mechanics?

Accepted Answer

Classifies fluid flow regimes (laminar vs turbulent)

Answer

Determines the pressure drop in a pipe

Answer

Predicts the lift on an airfoil

Answer

Calculates the heat transfer coefficient

Question 11

Which of the following equations represents the Darcy-Weisbach equation for head loss due to friction in a pipe?

Accepted Answer

h_f = (f*L/D)*(V^2/2g)

Answer

Q = AV

Answer

P_1 + (1/2)*ρV^2 + ρgh_1 = P_2 + (1/2)*ρV^2 + ρgh_2

Answer

f = (16/Re)

Question 12

What is the primary advantage of using a compound pipe for a hydropower penstock?

Accepted Answer

Increased strength and reduced material cost

Answer

Improved flow efficiency

Answer

Reduced friction losses

Answer

Enhanced corrosion resistance

Question 13

Which of the following is a key measurement used in hydrology to assess water availability?

Accepted Answer

Discharge (flow rate)

Answer

Velocity

Answer

Depth

Answer

Pressure

Question 14

What is the significance of the Manning's roughness coefficient in open channel flow?

Accepted Answer

Describes the frictional resistance of the channel bed

Answer

Determines the flow velocity at a given depth

Answer

Calculates the discharge of the channel

Answer

Predicts the sediment transport rate

Question 15

In a hydropower plant, what is the primary function of a surge tank?

Accepted Answer

To minimize pressure fluctuations in the penstock

Answer

To store excess water from the turbine

Answer

To provide an emergency water supply

Answer

To dissipate excess energy from the turbine

Question 16

For a narrow gorge, which dam design is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Arch dam

Answer

Gravity dam

Answer

Buttress dam

Answer

Earth-fill dam

Question 17

What is the spillway's primary role in a dam?

Accepted Answer

To release excess water during floods

Answer

To regulate the water level in the reservoir

Answer

To generate electricity

Answer

To provide access for dam maintenance

Question 18

Which renewable energy technology harnesses the kinetic energy of water flow?

Accepted Answer

Hydropower generator

Answer

Wind turbine

Answer

Solar panel

Answer

Biomass combustor

Question 19

What is the theoretical maximum efficiency of a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

100%

Answer

25%

Answer

50%

Answer

75%

Question 20

In a hydropower plant, what is the function of a penstock?

Accepted Answer

To convey water from the reservoir to the turbine

Answer

To store excess water from the turbine

Answer

To regulate the water flow to the turbine

Answer

To generate electricity

Question 21

Which turbine type is commonly used in high-head hydropower plants?

Accepted Answer

Pelton turbine

Answer

Francis turbine

Answer

Kaplan turbine

Answer

Cross-flow turbine

Question 22

What is the primary benefit of employing a variable-speed generator in a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced efficiency under varying operating conditions

Answer

Reduced maintenance costs

Answer

Simplified plant design

Answer

Improved reliability

Question 23

Which of the following factors does **not** influence the velocity of water flow in a channel?

Accepted Answer

Pipe diameter

Answer

Channel slope

Answer

Channel roughness

Answer

Water depth

Question 24

What is the primary purpose of a spillway in a dam design?

Accepted Answer

To provide a controlled release of excess water

Answer

To regulate water flow during floods

Answer

To generate hydroelectric power

Answer

To prevent erosion of the dam

Question 25

What is the main advantage of using a synchronous generator in a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

Improved power quality

Answer

Ability to operate independently

Answer

Reduced maintenance costs

Answer

Higher efficiency

Question 26

What is the most important factor in determining the maximum power output of a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

Water head

Answer

Water flow rate

Answer

Turbine efficiency

Answer

Generator size

Question 27

Which of the following is **not** a type of hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

Nuclear

Answer

Run-of-the-river

Answer

Impoundment

Answer

Pumped-storage

Question 28

A spillway in a hydropower plant is primarily designed to:

Accepted Answer

Discharge excess water during high flow events

Answer

Produce electricity directly

Answer

Control water flow to the turbines

Answer

Facilitate fish migration

Question 29

Which of these renewable energy sources harnesses the kinetic energy of flowing water?

Accepted Answer

Hydropower

Answer

Solar

Answer

Wind

Answer

Geothermal

Question 30

The force exerted by a fluid on a submerged surface is known as:

Accepted Answer

Hydrostatic pressure

Answer

Buoyancy

Answer

Drag

Answer

Lift

Question 31

In a hydropower plant, what is the purpose of a penstock?

Accepted Answer

Transport water from the reservoir to the turbine

Answer

Store water prior to turbine usage

Answer

Regulate water flow to the turbine

Answer

Generate electricity

Question 32

The vertical difference in water levels between the upstream and downstream sides of a dam is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Head

Answer

Spillway

Answer

Tailrace

Answer

Reservoir

Question 33

Which quantity measures the rate of water flow through a channel?

Accepted Answer

Discharge

Answer

Velocity

Answer

Head

Answer

Power

Question 34

The primary function of a hydropower plant is to:

Accepted Answer

Generate electricity from the energy of flowing water

Answer

Manage water flow in rivers and streams

Answer

Provide flood control

Answer

Create recreational opportunities

Question 35

To select an optimal site for a dam, which factors are essential to consider?

Accepted Answer

Topography, geological characteristics, and hydrological conditions

Answer

Temperature and precipitation data

Answer

Proximity to urban areas

Answer

Geological factors alone

Question 36

What is the main purpose of spillways in flood control systems for dams?

Accepted Answer

To safely release excess water over the dam during floods, preventing dam failure and downstream flooding.

Answer

To generate hydropower electricity.

Answer

To prevent erosion around the dam structure.

Answer

To be used only in small dams.

Question 37

What is the primary purpose of utilizing weirs in water flow measurement?

Accepted Answer

Measuring the flow rate of water in rivers

Answer

Storing large quantities of water

Answer

Generating hydroelectric power

Question 38

When considering dams for hydropower generation, which type is most commonly used?

Accepted Answer

Gravity dam

Answer

Embankment dam

Answer

Arch dam

Answer

Roller-compacted concrete dam

Question 39

Accurately calculate the potential energy stored within a hydropower reservoir using which formula?

Accepted Answer

PE = mgh

Answer

PE = Vgh

Answer

PE = Vgh/2

Answer

PE = mgh/2

Question 40

Among the following factors, which one directly influences the efficiency of a hydropower plant?

Accepted Answer

Penstock length

Answer

Water temperature

Answer

Reservoir size

Answer

Dam height

Question 41

What is the fundamental purpose of using surge tanks in hydropower systems?

Accepted Answer

Mitigating pressure fluctuations effectively

Answer

Preventing potential flooding

Answer

Increasing water storage capacity

Answer

Generating additional power