Unit 3 Review Self-Assessment Test Boiler operation and maintenance

Question 1

1. Operating temperatures below _____ of a hot water boiler are often avoided to prevent flue gas condensation.

A. 100°C (212°F) 
B. 50°C (98°F) 
C. 150°C (302°F) 
D. 120°C (248°F) 
E. 77°C (170°F)

Answer 1

E. 77°C (170°F)

Question 2

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

A. 1, 2, 3 
B. 2, 3, 4 
C. 1, 2, 4 
D. 2, 3, 4 
E. 1, 3, 4

Answer 2

C. 1, 2, 4
seating surfaces are clean
old gaskets
new gaskets

Question 3

3. Repairs affecting the pressure parts of a boiler may only be made after consultation with and the approval of:

A. The Shift Engineer 
B. The Chief Engineer 
C. The authorized inspector 
D. A qualified welder 
E. A Professional Engineer

Answer 3

C. The authorized inspector

Question 4

4. With reference to Power Engineering the letters “SIAP” mean:

A. Steam, Interpret, Analyze, Perform 
B. Sense, Increase, Answer, Perform 
C. Steam, Increase, Answer, Power 
D. Steam, Interpret, Analyze, Pressure 
E. Sense, Interpret, Analyze, Perform

Answer 4

E. Sense, Interpret, Analyze, Perform

SIAP meaning

Question 5

5. Chemicals used for the alkaline boil out of a boiler consist of a combination of which of the following.
6. Sodium hydroxide
7. Sodium sulphite
8. Sodium phosphate
9. Sodium carbonate
10. Sodium chloride

A. 1, 2, 3 
B. 2, 3, 4 
C. 1, 3, 4 
D. 2, 3, 4 
E. 1, 2, 4

Answer 5

C. 1, 3, 4

sodiums hyroxide,phosphate,carbonate

Question 6

6. 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:

A. Boiler is empty 
B. Water runs clear 
C. Low water level alarm sounds 
D. Low water fuel cutoff activate 
E. Water level drops below the gauge glass

Answer 6

B. Water runs clear

Question 7

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

A. Permit draining of the boiler while it is still hot
B. Let the O2 within the boiler escape
C. Maintain the boiler water level at operating level
D. Prevent a vacuum from forming in the boiler
E. Allow water to drain from the drum

Answer 7

D. ‘‘Prevent a vacuum’’ from forming in the boiler

Question 8

8. Flame retarders can be found in the boiler:

A. Steam drum 
B. Shell 
C. Water tubes 
D. Fire tubes 
E. Mud drum

Answer 8

D. Fire tubes

‘‘Flame Retarders FOUND”

Question 9

9. Overheating of the tube wall may be caused by all but:

A. An excessive firing rate 
B. Low excess air 
C. Poor water circulation 
D. Heavy scale forming on the tubes 
E. Failure of the low water fuel cut-off

Answer 9

B. Low excess air

Question 10

10. Some of the reasons why heating boiler accidents occur are:

A. The misconception that no supervision is required for automatically-fired boilers
B. The inexperience or lack of training of operating personnel
C. Inadequate maintenance of boilers and controls
D. Failure to test the low water fuel cutoff
E. All of the above

Answer 10

E. All of the above

Question 11

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

A. Stop valve in the return line of that boiler should be open
B. Vent valve in the return line of that boiler should be open
C. Stop valve in the return line of that boiler should be closed
D. Bypass valve in the return line of that boiler should be open
E. Bypass valve in the return line of that boiler should be close

Answer 11

C. ‘‘Stop valve’’ in the return line of that boiler should be ‘‘closed’’

Question 12

12. One of the main purposes of the external boiler inspection is to:

A. Check for boiler leaks 
B. Watch for hot spots 
C. Observe operation and maintenance practices 
D. Check for misalignment 
E. Watch for settling

Answer 12

C. Observe operation and maintenance practices

Question 13

13. .Should the boilers blower or fan fail the supply of combustion air will cease and the _____ cut-off switch will cut off the power to the fuel valve as soon as the pressure at the blower discharge drops below the minimum safe value.

A. Low fuel 
B. High air 
C. Low water 
D. Low air 
E. Flame scanner

Answer 13

D. Low air

Question 14

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.

A. 3 psi. (20 kPa) 
B. 69 kPa (10 psi) 
C. 6 psi. (40 kPa) 
D. 15 psi. (100 kPa) 
E. 100 psi. (700 kPa)

Answer 14

B. 69 kPa (10 psi)

Question 15

15. The two conditions that may occur during the warm-up period which may seem to be abnormal to the operator but will disappear after the boiler heats up are:
16. Smoking
17. Water hammer
18. Condensation
19. Corrosion

A. 1, 2 
B. 1, 3 
C. 2, 3 
D. 2, 4
E. 1, 4

Answer 15

B. 1, 3

Smoking AND Condensation

Question 16

16. Reduced heat transfer through the heating surfaces can be caused by: 
A. Soot deposits on the waterside 
B. Over firing 
C. Proper water treatment 
D. Improper water treatment 
E. Sludge deposits on the fireside

Answer 16

D. ‘‘Improper’’ water treatment

Question 17

17. Furnace explosions occur within the furnace or gas passes of the boiler and may be caused by:

A. Sufficient purge of the furnace before lighting up
B. Admission of the fuel to the main burner after the pilot flame or other ignition source is established
C. A strong pilot flame
D. Failure of the main fuel valve to close when the main burner flame is lost E. A sufficient amount of combustion air resulting in complete combustion

Answer 17

D. ‘‘Failure of the main fuel valve to close’’ when the main burner flame is lost

Question 18

18. Boiler priming occurs as the result of:

A. A low water condition 
B. A mechanical malfunction 
C. The loss of flame in the furnace 
D. The low steam production 
E. A chemical problem within the boiler

Answer 18

B. A ‘‘mechanical’’ malfunction

Question 19

19. Power Engineers (boiler operators) are generally not called upon to make any boiler repairs they are usually done by an experienced:

A. Steam fitter 
B. Plumber 
C. Carpenter 
D. Boilermaker 
E. Millwright

Answer 19

D. Boilermaker

Question 20

20. The best method of determining that adequate attention is being given to the boiler and its control equipment is to:

A. Keep a personal daily diary
B. Make notes on scrap paper
C. Tell the plant Chief Engineer all the problems
D. Provide a boiler log
E. Have the office secretary keep records

Answer 20

D. Provide a boiler log