Print this page Mechanical Equipment
Elie Tawil, PE, LEED AP
Course Outline
The intent of this course is to provide a fundamental understanding of the purpose, types and operation of various mechanical equipment that have widespread applications in many industrial facilities. This equipment includes cooling towers, air compressors, hydraulic systems, boilers, demineralizers, pressurizers, steam traps, filters and strainers. In addition, this course describes the safety hazards associated with certain types of components.
In this course, you need to review DOE-HDBK-1018/2-93, Volume 2, Module 5 “Miscellaneous Mechanical Components” published by the Department of Energy and provided below.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
- Understand various types of air compressors, their operation and safety hazards;
- Understand hydraulic system operation and safety hazards;
- Familiarize with boilers;
- Learn the purpose of the cooling tower and its various types;
- Understand the purpose and types of demineralizers;
- Know the general description and operation of a pressurizer;
- Learn the fundamentals of steam traps and their different types; and
- Distinguish between filters/strainers and learn their different types.
Intended Audience
This online PDH course is applicable to mechanical and chemical engineers, nuclear facility operators, maintenance personnel, and other technical staff who are interested in gaining a better understanding of the operation of the different mechanical equipment.
Benefit to Attendees
Attendee of this course will gain a general knowledge about various mechanical equipment typically used in many industrial plants.
Course Introduction
This course provides information on significant mechanical equipment that have widespread application in major industrial facilities (nuclear facilities, power plants etc.). Some of the equipment discussed in this course include: air compressors, hydraulic machines, cooling towers, boilers, and filters.
Course Content
In this lesson, you are required to download and study the following document:
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Course Summary
This course provides a fundamental understanding of the purpose, types and operation of the miscellaneous mechanical equipment that have wide spread applications in many industrial facilities. Below is a brief description of the equipment discussed in this course:
Air compressors:
The purpose of an air compressor is to provide a continuous supply of pressurized air. The three main types of air compressors are reciprocating, rotary, and centrifugal air compressors.
Hydraulics:
Hydraulics is the use of a fluid to develop a force to move or hold an object, or to control an action. A number of fluids can be used for developing the force. In a hydraulic system, oil is the most common, however water, or other liquids can be used.
Boilers:
The primary function of a boiler is to produce steam at a given pressure and temperature.The basic operation of the boiler is the same, but the source of heat that generates the steam varies.
Cooling Towers:
The cooling tower removes heat from water used in cooling systems within the plant. The three main types are natural convection, induced draft and forced draft cooling towers.
Demineralizers:
Demineralizers remove dissolved contaminates from power plant fluid systems which can generate corrosion problems and decrease efficiency due to fouled heat transfer surfaces. Demineralizers are used to hold ion exchange resins and transport water through them.
Pressurizers:
Pressurizers are used for reactor system pressure control. The pressurizer is the component that allows a water system, such as the reactor coolant system in a pressurized water reactor facility, to maintain high temperatures without boiling.
Steam Traps:
Steam traps are installed in steam lines to drain condensate from the lines without allowing the escape of steam. There are many designs of steam traps for high and low pressure use.
Filters and Strainers:
Filtering removes the very small solids, and straining removes the larger solids. Because filtering and straining are for all practical purpose the same, this course will differentiate the two terms on the basis of application of the filter or strainer.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
