CFESA STEAM PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
Why will boilers corrode away around the top of the boiler? - Answer -A result of single
metal corrosion from the oxygen sippy being cut off ti thr steel by scale build up
How can nickel plated boilers prevent corrosion - Answer -Nickel is much higher on the
galvanic chart
Why do you need baking soda or soda ash when deliming boilers? - Answer -To
neutralize the acid used for deliming, and to keep the acid from remaining in pits or
scratches inside the boiler shell
How often should a boiler be opened and inspected? - Answer -Depends on the rate of
scale build up. But minimum of twice per year.
What is the purpose of a sediment filter? - Answer -Remove granular debris like fine
sand and grit
A charcoal or carbon filter is used to do what? - Answer -A charcoal filter is used to
remove chlorine, taste and odor from water.
When using charcoal filters, why is it so critical that they be changed at regular intervals.
- Answer -Bacteria can begin to grow in the filter after the chlorine is removed.
How does a phosphate feeder work? - Answer -Phosphate produces a thin film on
piping, valves, fitting and controls. This film keeps the hard minerals from adhering to
their surfaces.
Describe the operation of an ion exchange water softener - Answer -An ion exchange
water softener passes water through a resin core that is impregnated with salt as the
water passes through the core, the hard water mineral ions are collected in the core and
replaced with soft sodium ions.
What are the major disadvantages to reverse osmosis systems? - Answer -RO systems
are very slow to produce pure water and wastes a lot of water flushing the membrane.
How much maintenance is required for reverse osmosis systems? - Answer -A lot of
maintenance, including many filter replacements to prevent damage to the membrane.
What is the function of an air vent - Answer -To remove air from the boiler
, Can a non functional air vent keep a boiler from heating? - Answer -Yes, if the incoming
water pressure compresses the air enough, the high pressure limit control could keep
the boiler from heating.
What is the difference between a thermostatic steam trap and a thermostatic vent? -
Answer -Nothing.
What causes water hammer in a steam line - Answer -Water hammer results when
steam comes in contact with the liquid condensate
What are the two primary functions of a steam trap - Answer -To remove air and
condensate
How can air in a steam system act as an insulator? - Answer -Air trapped in a system
keeps the steam from having direct contact with the surface and acts as an insulator.
What is the purpose of a steam separator - Answer -To remove excess condensate
from the steam supply line when the remote house boilers are located too far away.
What is the function of the thermostatic element in a float and thermostatic steam trap?
- Answer -To allow air to pass through the trap.
What is the purpose of the float valve in a float and thermostatic trap? - Answer -To
open and allow the condensate to be pushed four of the trap.
When is a float and thermostatic trap most beneficial? - Answer -When steam pressure
varies and there is a large amount of condensate.
How does an inverted bucket trap remove air from the system? - Answer -It removes
air through the condensate outlet when the trap opens.
In what ways are inverted bucket traps superior over F & T traps? - Answer -More
reliable with dirty steam lines and in cases where water hammer occurs
What is the function of the small orifice hole in the top of the inverted bucket? - Answer
-To bleed out the air so the bucket will fall allowing the trap to open.
What happened Sid the orifice of an inverted bucket traps becomes clogged? - Answer
-The trap remains closed all the time and condensate can't get out of the system.
How does the pounds per hour rating of a relief valve relate to the BTU of the boiler? -
Answer -The minimum pounds per hour rating of the relief valve must be equal to the
BTU of the boiler or pressure vessel divided by 1,000.
ANSWERS
Why will boilers corrode away around the top of the boiler? - Answer -A result of single
metal corrosion from the oxygen sippy being cut off ti thr steel by scale build up
How can nickel plated boilers prevent corrosion - Answer -Nickel is much higher on the
galvanic chart
Why do you need baking soda or soda ash when deliming boilers? - Answer -To
neutralize the acid used for deliming, and to keep the acid from remaining in pits or
scratches inside the boiler shell
How often should a boiler be opened and inspected? - Answer -Depends on the rate of
scale build up. But minimum of twice per year.
What is the purpose of a sediment filter? - Answer -Remove granular debris like fine
sand and grit
A charcoal or carbon filter is used to do what? - Answer -A charcoal filter is used to
remove chlorine, taste and odor from water.
When using charcoal filters, why is it so critical that they be changed at regular intervals.
- Answer -Bacteria can begin to grow in the filter after the chlorine is removed.
How does a phosphate feeder work? - Answer -Phosphate produces a thin film on
piping, valves, fitting and controls. This film keeps the hard minerals from adhering to
their surfaces.
Describe the operation of an ion exchange water softener - Answer -An ion exchange
water softener passes water through a resin core that is impregnated with salt as the
water passes through the core, the hard water mineral ions are collected in the core and
replaced with soft sodium ions.
What are the major disadvantages to reverse osmosis systems? - Answer -RO systems
are very slow to produce pure water and wastes a lot of water flushing the membrane.
How much maintenance is required for reverse osmosis systems? - Answer -A lot of
maintenance, including many filter replacements to prevent damage to the membrane.
What is the function of an air vent - Answer -To remove air from the boiler
, Can a non functional air vent keep a boiler from heating? - Answer -Yes, if the incoming
water pressure compresses the air enough, the high pressure limit control could keep
the boiler from heating.
What is the difference between a thermostatic steam trap and a thermostatic vent? -
Answer -Nothing.
What causes water hammer in a steam line - Answer -Water hammer results when
steam comes in contact with the liquid condensate
What are the two primary functions of a steam trap - Answer -To remove air and
condensate
How can air in a steam system act as an insulator? - Answer -Air trapped in a system
keeps the steam from having direct contact with the surface and acts as an insulator.
What is the purpose of a steam separator - Answer -To remove excess condensate
from the steam supply line when the remote house boilers are located too far away.
What is the function of the thermostatic element in a float and thermostatic steam trap?
- Answer -To allow air to pass through the trap.
What is the purpose of the float valve in a float and thermostatic trap? - Answer -To
open and allow the condensate to be pushed four of the trap.
When is a float and thermostatic trap most beneficial? - Answer -When steam pressure
varies and there is a large amount of condensate.
How does an inverted bucket trap remove air from the system? - Answer -It removes
air through the condensate outlet when the trap opens.
In what ways are inverted bucket traps superior over F & T traps? - Answer -More
reliable with dirty steam lines and in cases where water hammer occurs
What is the function of the small orifice hole in the top of the inverted bucket? - Answer
-To bleed out the air so the bucket will fall allowing the trap to open.
What happened Sid the orifice of an inverted bucket traps becomes clogged? - Answer
-The trap remains closed all the time and condensate can't get out of the system.
How does the pounds per hour rating of a relief valve relate to the BTU of the boiler? -
Answer -The minimum pounds per hour rating of the relief valve must be equal to the
BTU of the boiler or pressure vessel divided by 1,000.
