SSC JE CBT-2 2025 Electrical exam included a few questions that raised concerns among candidates, particularly from the technical section. One such question, based on the Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle, was widely considered objectionable due to insufficient data provided in the problem statement.
In technical exams like SSC JE, where accuracy depends on precise calculations and complete information, even a small omission can make a question unsolvable. This issue highlights the importance of clear and complete question framing, as candidates rely entirely on the given data to arrive at correct answers within limited time.
Below is the link for SSC JE CBT-2 2025 Electrical Objectionable Questions, where candidates can review disputed questions and raise objections against the provisional answer key. This resource helps you verify answers, identify errors, and ensure fair evaluation before the final result is declared.
As per recent updates, candidates must log in using their credentials, review their response sheet, and submit objections within the given deadline by paying the required fee per question.
An objectionable question has been identified in the SSC JE CBT2 response sheet concerning an Ideal Regenerative Rankine Cycle. This question is considered unsolvable due to insufficient data, specifically the absence of a steam table or explicit necessary values. The problem describes a steam power plant operating on this cycle, where steam enters the turbine at P1 = 40 bar and T1 = 400°C. A fraction of steam is bled from the turbine at 10 bar, with the condenser pressure at 8 bar. The objective was to calculate the thermal efficiency of the cycle, with pump work to be neglected.
The thermal efficiency (η_th) of a cycle is fundamentally defined as the ratio of Net Work (W_net) to Heat Supply (Q_supply).
The formula is:
η_th = W_net / Q_supply
In this specific case, W_net is calculated as the difference between Turbine work (W_turbine) and Pump work (W_pump).
W_net = W_turbine - W_pump
Given that pump work is explicitly stated to be neglected, the formula simplifies for this problem to:
η_th = W_turbine / Q_supply
To accurately calculate both W_turbine and Q_supply, it is essential to determine the enthalpy (H) values at various key points within the cycle (e.g., H1, H2, H3). These enthalpy values are critical for a comprehensive analysis of the cycle's energy transfers.
The primary issue with the SSC JE CBT2 question is its failure to provide the necessary enthalpy values (H1, H2, H3) at different points of the cycle. Additionally, the fraction of steam bled, a critical parameter for regenerative cycles, was not specified.
Enthalpy values for steam at given temperatures and pressures are complex and are not memorized. They must be obtained from a steam table or explicitly provided within the problem statement itself. This is a fundamental requirement for solving problems related to steam power plants.
Consider the following distinction in how enthalpy values are obtained for different working fluids:
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Critique: Insufficient Data for Calculation |
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|---|---|---|
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Parameter |
Steam Power Plant (e.g., Rankine Cycle) |
Ideal Gas (e.g., Brayton Cycle)
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Enthalpy Calculation |
Enthalpy values are obtained from a steam table or provided directly. |
Enthalpy changes can be calculated using relations like mcpdT or cpdT. |
The absence of explicit enthalpy values and the bleed fraction made it impossible to solve the question using the provided data. Therefore, this question was justifiably objected to.