AE Agro Industries Syllabus Download| 595/2024 Syllabus Kerala PSC

DETAILED SYLLABUS FOR THE POST OF ASSISTANT ENGINEER- THE KERALA

AGRO INDUSTRIES CORPORATION LIMITED (CATEGORY NO.595/2024)

TOTAL – 100 MARKS

Mechanical Engineering

Industrial Management and Industrial Engineering 10Marks

Principles of Management: Meaning of management–Taylor’s scientific management, Functions of

management–Different types of ownership–organizational structure. Principles of a good Wage

Payment System, minimum wages, Incentives. Quality Planning and its developments –

Definitions, dimensions, and TQM concepts

Project Management Techniques: Commonly used terms in CPM and PERT, critical path, slack, or

float, Comparison between CPM and PERT

Quantitative techniques in Management: Linear programming –formulation of LPP–transportation

problem– Least cost method, North-West corner rule, Vogel’s approximation method

Inventory management – definition and classification – EOQ and ABC analysis. Sales – sales

forecasting.

Meaning of the terms production and productivity – types of production – Job production batch

production, mass production, continuous production – Scheduling – Dispatching – Plant location

and layout, Factors to be considered in locating industrial plants – Types of layouts

Method Study: Work study – Method study – Process chart symbols – operation process chart, flow

process chart, man-machine chart, and SIMO chart, Principles of motion economy, Objectives of

work measurement – Procedure of stop watch time study.

Concept of quality and quality control, Control Charts introduction, types of control charts – X-bar,

R, P, 100P and C.

Fundamental Statistical Concepts: frequency, frequency distribution and frequency plot–Normal

distribution curve – Explanation of the terms mean, mode, median and standard deviation

Project Analysis: Need and scope for project analysis–Explanation of the constituents elements of

project analysis

Metallurgy and Machine Tools 10Marks

Metals and alloys: Structure of materials – Crystal structure –BCC, FCC and HCP – Ferrous and

non-ferrous– Cast iron, Manufacturing of Pig iron – Blast Furnace – Manufacturing of Cast iron –

Cupola Furnace – Types of steel – Manufacturing of steel, Steel alloys – Non ferrous metals and

alloys–Aluminium, Copper and its alloys–Crucible furnace.

Heat Treatment Processes: iron carbon equilibrium diagram – TTT diagram – Micro constituents of

steel – Heat treatment process

Properties, testing and inspection of materials: Mechanical properties such as strength, hardness,

toughness, brittleness, creep, fatigue, stiffness, ductility, malleability, elasticity and plasticity–

Thermal properties such as specific heat, thermal conductivity, thermal resistance, and thermal

diffusivity–Destructive tests and Non-destructive tests.

Classification of measuring instruments – precision and non precision instruments – Direct reading

and indirect measuring instruments, classifications of gauges, comparators.

Principle of arc welding, selection of welding electrodes, Electrode coatings – Functions of

electrode coating, Gas welding, submerged arc welding, tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, metal

inert gas (MIG) welding, Atomic hydrogen welding and thermit welding – Defects in welding –

causes and remedies of the defects such as porosity, poor penetration, warping, under cut, distortion

crack, poor appearances, soldering, brazing.

Metal Cutting: Orthogonal cutting and oblique cutting, Tool life, Machinability.

Type of lathes, Lathe accessories, Work holding and tool holding devices, Speed, feed and depth of

cut – Operations – taper turning methods – Lathe specification.

Drilling Machines: Classification–Work holding devices–Types of drill bits–Tool holding devices–

Operations. Shaping Machines: Parts and their functions. Milling Machines: General use of milling

machines–Parts of milling machines and their functions–types of milling machines, Milling

operations, Types of indexing.

Definition of jigs and fixtures.

Grinding: Abrasives, Bonding materials, kinds of abrasives, functions of the grinding wheels

Flexible Manufacturing System: Flexible automation–flexible manufacturing cell – components of

FMS. Computer Numerical Control (CNC)

Fluid Mechanics, Pneumatic and Hydraulic Machines 10Marks

Properties of Fluids: Density–specific weight–specific volume–specific gravity – viscosity –

Newton’s law of viscosity –types of fluids– compressibility – surface tension –capillarity.

Fluid Pressure and its Measurement: Fluid pressure at a point– Pascal’s law – absolute, gauge,

atmospheric and vacuum pressures, measurement of fluid pressure – pressure measuring devices.

Types of fluid flow –steady and unsteady flow – uniform and non-uniform flow – laminar and

turbulent flow – compressible and incompressible flow – rotational and irrotational flow -

continuity of liquid flow – energy of a liquid in motion–Bernoulli’s equation–practical applications

of Bernoulli’s equation.

Impact of Jets: Force exerted by the jet, Impulse turbines – classification – Pelton wheel

components. Reaction Turbines: Components – difference between impulse and reaction turbines,

classification of Reaction Turbines, specific speed.

Pumps: Types of pumps, centrifugal pumps – efficiencies – discharge – power required to drive –

multi stagepumps– specific speedof CP –cavitation– priming. Reciprocating Pump – Types –

comparison of CP & RP – discharge – slip – air vessels, Hydraulic ram.

Applied Mechanics, Strength of Materials and Design of Machine Elements 10Marks

Direct Stresses and Strains: Types of Stresses and strains–tensile and compressive – longitudinal

and lateral strain – Poisson’s ratio – stress strain diagram – limit of proportionality – elastic limit –

yield point – ultimate stress – working stress – factor of safety – comparison of stress strain

diagrams, principle of superposition – stresses in varying section – stresses in composite section.

Shear stress and strain – modulus of rigidity –volumetric strain, bulk modulus. Nature and

magnitude of stresses due to change in temperature.

Introduction – type of friction – static friction, dynamic friction, sliding friction, rolling friction,

pivot friction, limiting friction, angle of friction, coefficient of friction, cone of friction.

Moment of inertia–radius of gyration.

Joints: Riveted Joints – types–lap joint–single riveted, double riveted – failure of riveted joints,

Welded Joints: Welding terms, strength of welded joints.

Torsion equation – strength equation for solid and hollow shaft, power equation – polar moment of

inertia.

Springs: Types of spring–leaf spring–helical springs.

Types of beams – cantilever beam, simply supported beam, overhanging beam, built in beam or

fixed beam and continuous beam, types of loading, shear force and bending moment diagrams –

maximum bending moment on the section. – deflection of beams. Column, strut, buckling load,

equivalent length, slenderness ratio –types of columns–short column, medium size column, long

column.

Thread terminology – Forms of screw threads -Witworth thread, British Association thread,

American standard thread –Acme thread–ISO metric thread–square thread–single start and multi

start threads right hand and left hand threads – conventional representation of threads. Bolted

connection using standard proportions.

Limits, Fits and Tolerances: Definition of limits, fits and tolerances. Surface roughness terminology

– surface roughness values.

General design procedure – Design stress and working stress – factor of safety – Kinematic link –

pair – chain – four bar chain – examples and applications– mechanism– inversion.

Torsional stresses and strains – strength of solid and hollow shaft – design of shaft considering

strength and rigidity – comparisons – power transmitted by shaft – solid and hollow shafts in terms

of their weight, strength and stiffness. Shaft couplings–requirement–types.

Functions of bearings – classification of bearings – Radial bearings – thrust bearings – sliding

contact bearings – rolling contact bearings.

Classification of followers and cams – motion of the followers – uniform velocity, simple harmonic

motion – displacement diagrams.

Governors and Flywheels: Functions of the governors – types of governors – flywheels – coefficient

of fluctuation of energy.

Gears and Gear Trains: Functions of gears – advantages and disadvantages of a gear drive – spur

gear nomenclature – simple gear drive – velocity ratio – gear trains–simple gear train– compound

gear train.

Thermal Engineering 10Marks

Air Standard Cycles: Assumption, Air standard efficiency–explanation with diagrams and

derivation of air standard efficiency of Carnot Cycle, Otto cycle, Diesel cycle, dual combustion

cycle. Classification of fuels – solid, liquid and gaseous – requirements of a good fuel – Calorific

Value –combustion of fuel.

Performance of I. C. Engines – testing, Total fuel consumption and Specific Fuel Consumption –

Morse test of multi-cylinder engines.

Heat Transfer: Heat Transfer – conduction, convection and radiation – Fourier's law – Thermal

conductivity – Conduction through plane wall and composite wall –Black body concept – StefanBoltzman law – free and forced convection, Heat exchangers – Classification – regenerative type,

parallel flow, counter flow type and cross flow, LMTD.

Air Compressors: Construction and working of Air compressors – function of an air compressor –

uses of compressed air – classification of the air compressors –working of reciprocating

compressors (single stage and two stage), rotary compressors – fans and blowers, centrifugal

compressors and axial flow compressors.

IC Engine sub-systems: Fuel systems, ignition system, cooling system, lubrication system –

quantity governing – quality governing–hit and miss governing.

Definition of refrigeration, concept of C. O. P., unit of refrigeration–reversed Carnot cycle – COP,

Application of refrigeration.

Principles and working of a vapour compression system with the help of flow diagram. C.O.P. of

vapour compression systems. Compressors – Condensers – Evaporators–Expansion Devices–

capillary tube, Thermostatic expansion valve. Definition of refrigerants, primary and secondary

refrigerants, desirable properties of refrigerants.

Psychrometry - principles and uses, Sensible heating, sensible cooling–humidifying, dehumidifying.

Definition of air conditioning, classification, factors affecting human comfort, effective

temperature, working of summer air conditioning, winter and year round air-conditioning.

Agricultural Engineering

Module – I Marks: 5

Primary and secondary tillage operations -mould board plough, disc plough- functional component,

accessories and attachments- chisel plough- subsoiler- horizontal and vertical suction of MB plough

-forces acting on tillage implements- field efficiencies. Draft measurement of tillage implements and

calculation of power requirement for tillage. Sowing, planting and weeding equipment. Seed drills

and planters –types of seed metering mechanisms and furrow openers. Calibration and adjustments of

seed drills and planters. Sprayers and dusters. types of nozzles.

Module – II Marks: 5

Harvesting- methods and technologies: Reapers (VCR), mowers and chaff cutters. Threshers: types of

threshing drums- factors affecting thresher performance. Winnowers. Grain and straw Combines–

computation of combine losses. Tractors and power tillers - engines -power transmission systems:

clutch, gearbox, differential and final drives. Tractor power outlets- p.t.o power and drawbar power.

Determination of maximum draw bar pull. Tractor tyres. Traction aids. Centre of gravity and moment

of inertia of tractors.

Module - III Marks: 5

Hitching of implements – mounted, semi-mounted and trailed type implements. Traction mechanics:

pull and draft, coefficient of traction, tractive efficiency and weight transfer. Calculation of field

capacity and field efficiency- Economics of machinery usage, fixed cost, variable costs- estimating

the cost of operation and break-even point.

Module - IV Marks: 5

Testing of tractors and farm machines: type of tests, test codes and procedure. Ergonomic

considerations in designing farm machines – anthropometry and assessment of energy expenditure.

Vibration and noise levels and its physiological effects. Non-conventional energy sources- solar

thermal energy conversion- flat plate and concentrating collectors - solar constant - photovoltaic

electric production– PV systems.

Module - V Marks: 5

Wind energy conversion- power coefficient- Betz limit -Bio energy: thermo chemical energy

conversion of biomass- biomass gasification- gasifiers – biochemical energy conversion of biomass:

anaerobic digestion process - fixed and floating type bio gas plants-bio mass characteristics. Gasifier

technology- types of gasifiers.

Module - VI Marks: 5

Soil properties influencing irrigation management- soil- water relations- infiltration characteristics

of soil and equations -water requirement of crops. Mechanics and types of soil erosion- soil loss

estimation -biological and engineering measures to control erosion- water harvesting structures.

Estimation of mean rain fall. Measurement of run off – Cook’s method. Linear, aerial and relief

aspects of watersheds –stream order. Watershed management: factors and measures. Hydrographapplications and limitations.

Module - VII Marks: 5

Surveying: basic principles and classification. Levelling – rise and fall system, classification of

levelling. Total station and GPS survey. Remote Sensing: basic components, advantages and

limitations. Types of sensors and platforms. GIS: basic components, spatial data, map projections,

data models and its integration. Properties of fluids- hydrostatic pressure and its measurementBernoulli's theorem- laminar flow in pipes- general equation for head loss-Darcy’s equation- major

and minor losses through pipes and fittings- open channel hydraulics-Chezy’s and Bazin’s formulaon farm structures for water conveyance- control and distribution-drop structures.

Module - VIII Marks: 5

Surface and sub surface drainage – coefficient- design parameters - hydraulic conductivitydrainable porosity - Hooghoudt’s spacing equations. Hydraulics of flow in wells- centrifugal

pumps- total pumping head-NPSH- maximum suction lift- power requirement - performance

curves. Sprinkler and drip irrigation systems- layout- hydraulic design of lateral sub-main and main

pipe line- selection of pump.

Module - IX Marks: 5

Rheological properties- force deformation- stress- strain- elastic –plastic- and viscous behaviordrying - theory of grain drying- moisture content and water activity- free, bound and equilibrium

moisture content. Equipment for cleaning and grading. Size reduction: fineness modulus- principles

of comminution: laws and procedures, crushing, impact, cutting and shearing.