ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD): Dairy Chemistry, Dairy Microbiology, Dairy Technology, Dairy Engineering · India · NTA for ICAR
Original practice questions written to the published syllabus · not past papersSteam, water, compressed air and electricity in the milk plant, and how to audit and cut energy and water use.
In the exams: ICAR AICE subject 37 Unit 3 (water conservation) and subject 38 Units 4–5; ICAR AIEEA-PG group 18 Unit II (steam generation, compressed air, energy audit)
ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF (PhD) — Dairy Technology (37) and Dairy Engineering (38)
Subject 37 Unit 3: water conservation methods. Subject 38 Units 4 and 5: thermodynamics and heat transfer, pressure vessels (codes, design for pressure and temperature, testing). Expect boiler efficiency, flash steam, heat recovery and pressure-vessel safety questions.
How our questions for ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF spread across the units of Dairy Plant Utilities & Energy Management. Difficulty: 1 easy, 41 medium, 30 hard.
| Boilers: types, fittings, mountings and efficiency | 12 | |
| Steam distribution and condensate recovery | 10 | |
| Heat recovery and cogeneration | 10 | |
| Electrical supply and power factor | 8 | |
| Water conservation and reuse | 7 | |
| Boiler and pressure-vessel safety rules | 7 | |
| Renewable energy in dairy plants: solar thermal, biogas | 6 | |
| Water supply, treatment and quality for dairy use | 4 | |
| Compressed air systems | 4 | |
| Energy audits | 4 |
Choose an answer, then open the working. Each explanation says why the right answer is right and why the others are not.
A boiler makes 2,000 kg/h of steam (enthalpy 2,770 kJ/kg) from feed water at 335 kJ/kg, burning 140 kg/h of oil with a gross calorific value of 42,000 kJ/kg. What is its efficiency by the direct method?
A. 82.8%
Efficiency = 2,000 × (2,770 − 335) ÷ (140 × 42,000) = 82.8%. The others ignore feed enthalpy, subtract the feed temperature instead of its enthalpy, or invert the ratio.
Further reading: Bureau of Energy Efficiency, energy manager guide books
Condensate with a sensible heat of 721 kJ/kg is released to atmospheric pressure (sensible heat 419 kJ/kg, latent heat 2,257 kJ/kg). What fraction flashes to steam?
C. 13.4%
Flash fraction = (721 − 419) ÷ 2,257 = 13.4%. The others divide by the condensate enthalpy, use the wrong numerator, or divide by total steam enthalpy.
Further reading: Spirax Sarco, The Steam and Condensate Loop
What line current does a 100 kW three-phase load draw at 415 V and a power factor of 0.85?
C. 164 A
I = P ÷ (√3 × V × PF) = 100,000 ÷ (1.732 × 415 × 0.85) = 164 A. The others omit √3, omit the PF, or multiply by it.
Further reading: Ahmad, Dairy Plant Engineering and Management
Biogas from the reactor above (700 m³/day of methane) is 65% methane. What volume of biogas is produced?
A. 1,077 m³/day
Biogas = 700 ÷ 0.65 = 1,077 m³/day. 455 multiplies by the methane share; 2,000 divides by the methane yield.
Further reading: Tetra Pak, Dairy Processing Handbook
What happens when a burner is tuned to too little excess air?
D. Incomplete combustion and soot
Below the minimum safe excess air, fuel is left unburnt as CO and soot, which also fouls tubes; too much air raises flue gas loss.
Further reading: Bureau of Energy Efficiency, energy manager guide books
Why is steam often distributed at higher pressure and reduced near the point of use?
C. Mains are smaller; low-pressure steam has more latent heat
Higher pressure means denser steam and smaller pipes; latent heat per kilogram rises as pressure falls.
Further reading: Spirax Sarco, The Steam and Condensate Loop
Which dryer is needed when air lines pass through freezing areas?
B. Desiccant dryer
Desiccant dryers reach dew points well below freezing; refrigerated dryers stay above it.
Further reading: Tetra Pak, Dairy Processing Handbook
Where does most of the electrical input to an air compressor end up?
B. As heat
Most input becomes heat, which can be recovered for water or space heating.
Further reading: Bureau of Energy Efficiency, energy manager guide books
Which international standard provides a framework for energy management systems?
B. ISO 50001
ISO 50001 covers energy policy, baselines, performance indicators and improvement.
Further reading: Bureau of Energy Efficiency, energy manager guide books
At what pressure are boiler safety valves set?
C. At or below the design pressure, sealed
Valves are set not above the allowed working pressure and sealed against tampering.
Further reading: Ahmad, Dairy Plant Engineering and Management
Ten here, 72 in the app. The Laisha app has every practice question we have written to ICAR AICE-JRF/SRF in this subject, marked as you go, with timed papers, a jump-to-unanswered list and a certificate when you pass at 70 per cent.
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