Louisiana (New Orleans) Second Class Stationary Boilers 661-LA
661 Complete Practice Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Based on ASME BPVC Section I, CSD-1, NBIC, and City of New
Orleans Requirements
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum education and experience requirement to sit for the New Orleans
Second Class Stationary Boiler Operator exam?
A) High school diploma or equivalent plus documented experience
B) No formal education required
C) Associate degree in engineering
D) 5 years of experience with no education requirement
A) High school diploma or equivalent plus documented experience
Rationale: Candidates must demonstrate sufficient knowledge and typically need a high
school diploma or equivalent plus documented experience operating boilers under
supervision .
QUESTION 2
In water treatment for boilers, which chemical is most commonly used to control scale
formation?
A) Sodium bicarbonate
B) Calcium chloride
,C) Phosphates
D) Chlorine
C) Phosphates
Rationale: Phosphates are added to boiler water to bind hardness ions (calcium and
magnesium) and prevent scale deposition on heat transfer surfaces .
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of water softening in feedwater systems?
A) Increase water pH
B) Remove dissolved oxygen
C) Eliminate hardness-causing minerals
D) Boost electrical conductivity
C) Eliminate hardness-causing minerals
Rationale: Water softening removes calcium and magnesium ions that contribute to
scaling, ensuring efficient boiler operation .
QUESTION 4
What is the primary function of a deaerator in a boiler feedwater system?
A) To add chemicals to water
B) To remove dissolved oxygen and gases
C) To heat the feedwater
D) To filter out impurities
B) To remove dissolved oxygen and gases
Rationale: A deaerator removes dissolved oxygen and other gases to prevent corrosion
within the boiler system .
,QUESTION 5
Which of the following best describes the effect of high dissolved oxygen levels in boiler
water?
A) Reduced corrosion
B) Increased scale formation
C) Promotes corrosion of boiler metals
D) Improved water quality
C) Promotes corrosion of boiler metals
Rationale: Dissolved oxygen promotes corrosion of boiler metals, which can weaken the
boiler structure .
QUESTION 6
Which fuel type is most commonly used in large industrial boilers?
A) Natural gas
B) Coal
C) Oil
D) Biomass
B) Coal
Rationale: Coal remains a common fuel in large industrial boilers due to its availability
and energy content, though natural gas is also prevalent .
QUESTION 7
What is the main purpose of adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio in boiler operation?
A) To reduce emissions only
B) To ensure complete combustion and efficiency
C) To control water temperature
D) To control water chemistry
B) To ensure complete combustion and efficiency
, Rationale: Proper air-to-fuel ratio ensures complete combustion, maximizing efficiency
and minimizing pollutant emissions .
QUESTION 8
Which firing method involves automatic control of fuel and air supply based on
demand?
A) Manual firing
B) Mechanical firing
C) Automatic firing with modulating control
D) Batch firing
C) Automatic firing with modulating control
Rationale: Modulating control adjusts the fuel and air supply to match the steam load,
maintaining constant pressure and maximizing efficiency .
QUESTION 9
What is an indicator of corrosion in boiler tubes?
A) White deposits on tubes
B) Pitting or thinning of tubes
C) Increased water flow
D) Reduced fuel consumption
B) Pitting or thinning of tubes
Rationale: Pitting and thinning of tubes are signs of corrosion, which can compromise
boiler integrity .
QUESTION 10
Which nondestructive testing method is commonly used for boiler tube inspection?
661 Complete Practice Questions with Correct Answers & Detailed
Rationales
Based on ASME BPVC Section I, CSD-1, NBIC, and City of New
Orleans Requirements
QUESTION 1
What is the minimum education and experience requirement to sit for the New Orleans
Second Class Stationary Boiler Operator exam?
A) High school diploma or equivalent plus documented experience
B) No formal education required
C) Associate degree in engineering
D) 5 years of experience with no education requirement
A) High school diploma or equivalent plus documented experience
Rationale: Candidates must demonstrate sufficient knowledge and typically need a high
school diploma or equivalent plus documented experience operating boilers under
supervision .
QUESTION 2
In water treatment for boilers, which chemical is most commonly used to control scale
formation?
A) Sodium bicarbonate
B) Calcium chloride
,C) Phosphates
D) Chlorine
C) Phosphates
Rationale: Phosphates are added to boiler water to bind hardness ions (calcium and
magnesium) and prevent scale deposition on heat transfer surfaces .
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of water softening in feedwater systems?
A) Increase water pH
B) Remove dissolved oxygen
C) Eliminate hardness-causing minerals
D) Boost electrical conductivity
C) Eliminate hardness-causing minerals
Rationale: Water softening removes calcium and magnesium ions that contribute to
scaling, ensuring efficient boiler operation .
QUESTION 4
What is the primary function of a deaerator in a boiler feedwater system?
A) To add chemicals to water
B) To remove dissolved oxygen and gases
C) To heat the feedwater
D) To filter out impurities
B) To remove dissolved oxygen and gases
Rationale: A deaerator removes dissolved oxygen and other gases to prevent corrosion
within the boiler system .
,QUESTION 5
Which of the following best describes the effect of high dissolved oxygen levels in boiler
water?
A) Reduced corrosion
B) Increased scale formation
C) Promotes corrosion of boiler metals
D) Improved water quality
C) Promotes corrosion of boiler metals
Rationale: Dissolved oxygen promotes corrosion of boiler metals, which can weaken the
boiler structure .
QUESTION 6
Which fuel type is most commonly used in large industrial boilers?
A) Natural gas
B) Coal
C) Oil
D) Biomass
B) Coal
Rationale: Coal remains a common fuel in large industrial boilers due to its availability
and energy content, though natural gas is also prevalent .
QUESTION 7
What is the main purpose of adjusting the air-to-fuel ratio in boiler operation?
A) To reduce emissions only
B) To ensure complete combustion and efficiency
C) To control water temperature
D) To control water chemistry
B) To ensure complete combustion and efficiency
, Rationale: Proper air-to-fuel ratio ensures complete combustion, maximizing efficiency
and minimizing pollutant emissions .
QUESTION 8
Which firing method involves automatic control of fuel and air supply based on
demand?
A) Manual firing
B) Mechanical firing
C) Automatic firing with modulating control
D) Batch firing
C) Automatic firing with modulating control
Rationale: Modulating control adjusts the fuel and air supply to match the steam load,
maintaining constant pressure and maximizing efficiency .
QUESTION 9
What is an indicator of corrosion in boiler tubes?
A) White deposits on tubes
B) Pitting or thinning of tubes
C) Increased water flow
D) Reduced fuel consumption
B) Pitting or thinning of tubes
Rationale: Pitting and thinning of tubes are signs of corrosion, which can compromise
boiler integrity .
QUESTION 10
Which nondestructive testing method is commonly used for boiler tube inspection?
