CPE Mechanical Systems & Equipment 5

Question 1

Which maintenance strategy uses real-time condition monitoring data to schedule repairs only when needed?

Accepted Answer

Predictive (condition-based) maintenance

Answer

Predictive maintenance uses sensor data (vibration, temperature, oil analysis) to detect deterioration and schedule intervention before failure occurs.

Question 2

A plant engineer must select a pump for a high-viscosity fluid. Compared to water, operating with a viscous fluid will:

Accepted Answer

Decrease flow, head, and efficiency

Answer

Higher viscosity increases internal fluid friction losses, reducing pump flow, head, and efficiency compared to the water-based pump curve.

Question 3

What is the purpose of dynamic balancing (two-plane balancing) vs. static balancing?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic balancing corrects couple imbalance in wide rotors; static balancing only corrects static imbalance

Answer

Two-plane dynamic balancing corrects both static and couple (dynamic) imbalance, which is essential for wide rotors where imbalance planes are axially separated.

Question 4

In a screw conveyor design, increasing the screw pitch will primarily:

Accepted Answer

Increase conveying capacity for the same speed

Answer

A larger screw pitch moves more material per revolution, increasing volumetric conveying capacity at the same rotational speed.

Question 5

An engineer notices a pump's performance curve has shifted left (reduced flow at given head). The MOST likely cause is:

Accepted Answer

Worn impeller reducing effective diameter and clearance

Answer

Impeller wear increases running clearances and reduces effective diameter, causing the pump curve to shift downward and to the left.

(CPE) Certified Plant Engineer Practice Test

(CPE) Certified Plant Engineer Practice Test

CPE Mechanical Systems & Equipment 5