Book 1: 3-11 "Basic Boiler Operation"

Question 1

If boiler water level has dropped below the gauge glass during boiler operation, the operator is to:
Select one:

A. Slowly reduce the boiler load

B. Immediately restore water level before shutting off the unit

C. Contact the boiler inspector immediately

D. Shut down, cool, and then inspect the boiler for damage before refilling

E. Open the blowdown valves in order to have the low water fuel cut-off trip the unit

Answer 1

D. Shut down, cool, and then inspect the boiler for damage before refilling

Question 2

When removing a hot water boiler from service open the blow-off or drain valve on the bottom of the boiler to remove any sediment that may have collected stopping when the:
Select one:

A. Low water level alarm sounds

B. Water runs clear

C. Boiler is empty

D. Low water fuel cutoff activates

E. Water level drops below the gauge glass

Answer 2

B. Water runs clear

Question 3

Reduced heat transfer through the heating surfaces can be caused by:
Select one:

A. Over firing

B. Proper water treatment

C. Soot deposits on the waterside

D. Sludge deposits on the fireside

E. Improper water treatment

Answer 3

E. Improper water treatment

Question 4

When doing routine checks on a heating system one thing which is often overlooked is:
Select one:

A. System pressure

B. Expansion tank level

C. Fuel pressure

D. Unusual noises

E. System temperature

Answer 4

D. Unusual noises

Question 5

Uneven thermal expansion in a firetube boiler occurs between the:
1. Fire tubes
2. Water tubes
3. Furnace
4. Drum
5. Shell
Select one:

A. 1, 2, 3

B. 1, 3, 5

C. 2, 3, 4

D. 1, 2, 4

E. 3, 4, 5

Answer 5

B. 1, 3, 5

Question 6

Boiler stack temperature is rising due to soot build-up on the boiler tubes. This could:
Select one:

A. Cause a furnace explosion

B. Result in condensation forming in the flue gas system

C. Result in a pressure explosion

D. Cause the water level to drop to the trip level

E. Cause foaming of the boiler water

Answer 6

A. Cause a furnace explosion

Question 7

Flame failure may occur during operation due to:
Select one:

A. Insufficient fuel oil supply due to a plugged filter

B. Air in the fuel

C. Excessively high fuel pressure

D. High boiler load

E. Overly high gas pressure

Answer 7

A. Insufficient fuel oil supply due to a plugged filter

Question 8

During the filling of an empty boiler, a valve that should be open to allow the air to escape is the:
Select one:

A. Gauge glass drain valve

B. Boiler stop valve

C. Gauge glass steam valve

D. Boiler vent valve

E. Boiler drain valve

Answer 8

D. Boiler vent valve

Question 9

When removing a steam boiler from service, the vent valve should be opened at 15-20 kPa in order to:
Select one:

A. Prevent a vacuum from forming in the boiler

B. Let the O2 within the boiler escape

C. Allow water to drain from the drum

D. Maintain the boiler water level at operating level

E. Permit draining of the boiler while it is still hot

Answer 9

A. Prevent a vacuum from forming in the boiler

Question 10

When a hot water boiler in a multi-boiler heating plant has the stop valve at the boiler outlet is closed the:
Select one:

A. Bypass valve in the return line of that boiler should be closed

B. Bypass valve in the return line of that boiler should be open

C. Vent valve in the return line of that boiler should be open

D. Stop valve in the return line of that boiler should be open

E. Stop valve in the return line of that boiler should be closed

Answer 10

E. Stop valve in the return line of that boiler should be closed

Question 11

When a cold oil-fired boiler is started up, the operator may notice that during the first part of the warm-up period the stack will smoke slightly due to:
Select one:

A. The incorrect gas/oil ratio

B. Using the wrong oil

C. The furnace temperature not being high enough to vaporize the incoming fuel oil immediately and completely

D. The oil not being pre heated

E. The incorrect gas/air ratio

Answer 11

C. The furnace temperature not being high enough to vaporize the incoming fuel oil immediately and completely

Question 12

More severe foaming in steam heating boilers is usually controlled by:
Select one:

A. Decreasing the continuous blowdown

B. Decreasing the intermittent blowdown

C. The use of antifoam chemicals

D. Increasing the continuous blowdown

E. Increasing the intermittent blowdown

Answer 12

E. Increasing the intermittent blowdown

Question 13

When a cold, gas-fired boiler is started up, condensation (sweating) may occur to such an extent that it appears that the boiler is leaking. What (if anything) should be done to stop this?
Select one:

A. Decrease the firing rate to stop the sweating

B. Decrease the fuel/air ratio to stop the sweating

C. This condensation will stop after the boiler becomes hot

D. Increase the fuel/air ratio to stop the sweating

E. Increase the firing rate to stop the sweating

Answer 13

C. This condensation will stop after the boiler becomes hot

Question 14

The operating pressure of low-pressure hot water heating boilers varies considerably, it is recommended that the differential between the safety relief valve set pressure and the boiler operating pressure is kept to a minimum of _____ or 25% of the relief valve setting, whichever is greater.
Select one:

A. 3 psi. (20 kPa)

B. 6 psi. (40 kPa)

C. 100 psi. (700 kPa)

D. 15 psi. (100 kPa)

E. 69 kPa (10 psi)

Answer 14

E. 69 kPa (10 psi)

Question 15

Boiler explosions may be listed under two general classifications:
1. Furnace explosions
2. Smelt water explosions
3. Fuel explosions
4. Pressure explosions
Select one:

A. 2, 4

B. 1, 4

C. 1, 2

D. 2, 3

E. 1, 3

Answer 15

B. 1, 4

Question 16

The stack temperature is a good indication of the:
Select one:

A. Effectiveness of the heat exchange between the flue gases and the water in the boiler

B. Relative ambient air temperature

C. Level of the water in the boiler

D. Quality of the fuel being used

E. Effectiveness of the boiler water temperature

Answer 16

A. Effectiveness of the heat exchange between the flue gases and the water in the boiler

Question 17

It is vitally important that a boiler operator be aware of the damage due to _____ can be done when a cold firetube boiler is fired up too fast.
Select one:

A. Steam expansion

B. Fire side erosion

C. Uneven expansion and thermal shock

D. Water hammer

E. Water side corrosion

Answer 17

C. Uneven expansion and thermal shock

Question 18

Should the water in the gauge glass of a steam boiler, show a higher than normal level or even climb out of sight the level should be brought back to normal to prevent:
Select one:

A. Producing wet steam

B. A pressure component failure

C. Carry-over of the water with the steam

D. The boiler water from foaming

E. A decrease in steam production

Answer 18

C. Carry-over of the water with the steam

Question 19

A boiler item which should be checked monthly is:
Select one:

A. Refractory

B. Chemical levels of the boiler water

C. Water outlet temperature

D. The flame detection system

E. Fireside cleanliness

Answer 19

D. The flame detection system

Question 20

The maximum operating temperature of a hot water boiler should never exceed
Select one:

A. 121°C (250°F)

B. 50°C (98°F)

C. 150°C (302°F)

D. 120°C (248°F)

E. 77°C (170°F)

Answer 20

A. 121°C (250°F)

Question 21

If a cold fire tube boiler is started up and the maximum firing rate is applied, the thermal shock may be so strong that tiny cracks appear in the:
Select one:

A. Tube ends and tubesheets

B. Drum and water tubes

C. Boiler drum nozzles

D. Shell and water tubes

E. Furnace and drum

Answer 21

A. Tube ends and tubesheets

Question 22

The most important factor to be considered during steam boiler operation is:
Select one:

A. Combustion quality

B. Pollution control

C. Water level

D. Steam pressure

E. Housekeeping

Answer 22

C. Water level

Question 23

Steam heating boilers with little or no make-up water should only require once a _____ blowdown.
Select one:

A. Day

B. Week

C. Month

D. Shift

E. Hour

Answer 23

B. Week

Question 24

Which of the following is done to prevent excessive stresses of boiler metal due to uneven expansion?
Select one:

A. Warm the boiler up as slowly as possible

B. Warm the boiler up before filling it with water

C. Open the safety valve slowly during a test

D. Warm a boiler up as quickly as possible

E. Increase the boiler blowdown

Answer 24

A. Warm the boiler up as slowly as possible

Question 25

Before closing manhole and handhole openings:
1. Make sure that the seating surfaces are clean
2. Traces of old gaskets left behind may cause leakage
3. Use old gaskets coated with powdered graphite or a gasket compound
4. Use new gaskets
Select one:

A. 2, 3, 4

B. 1, 3, 4

C. 2, 3, 4

D. 1, 2, 3

E. 1, 2, 4

Answer 25

E. 1, 2, 4

Question 26

The most common cause of boiler accidents is overheating the heating surfaces due to:
Select one:

A. High fuel pressure

B. High steam temperature

C. Low combustion air

D. A low water condition

E. Water in the fuel oil

Answer 26

D. A low water condition

Question 27

Heavy soot build-up can affect combustion conditions in the furnace and may result in:
Select one:

A. A boiler low water condition

B. A furnace explosion

C. Increased sludge and scale formation

D. A furnace flame out

E. Loss of ignition

Answer 27

B. A furnace explosion

Question 28

Normally in a steam boiler when the water level drops to the low-water cut-off point, the boiler will:
Select one:

A. Shut down automatically

B. Automatically open the emergency feedwater valve

C. Sound an alarm in the control room

D. Continue to operate normally

E. Experience a failure of a pressure component

Answer 28

A. Shut down automatically

Question 29

Two conditions which may occur during warm-up of a cold boiler are smoking and:
Select one:

A. Fuel flow surging

B. Flue gas condensation

C. Pressure pulsations

D. Very high stack temperatures

E. Flame pulsations

Answer 29

B. Flue gas condensation

Question 30

With reference to Power Engineering the letters “SIAP” mean:
Select one:

A. Steam, Interpret, Analyze, Pressure

B. Sense, Increase, Answer, Perform

C. Steam, Increase, Answer, Power

D. Sense, Interpret, Analyze, Perform

E. Steam, Interpret, Analyze, Perform

Answer 30

D. Sense, Interpret, Analyze, Perform