SOPHOS ENGINEER EXAMINATION TEST 2026
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ How is radial clearance measured on a turbine. Answer: Use a
bridge gauge. If no bridge gauge, lead the main bearings
◉ What do the following letters stamped in the official symbol if
ASME stand for: R,M,E,A. Answer: R= Repair
M= Minature
E= Electric
A=Assembly
◉ What are the three methods commonly used to purify feedwater?.
Answer: 1. Mechanical- Using filters and settling tanks
2. Chemical- Using chemicals
3. Thermal- Using feedwater heaters
◉ If you are granted this license, what can you do with it in
reference to Chapter 146 of the Mass General Laws?. Answer:
Second Class, to have charge of and operate a boiler or boilers, and
to have charge of and operate engines, no one of which shall exceed
150 HP, or to operate a first-class plant under the engineer in direct
charge thereof.
,◉ What is the meaning of a PH value of water and in what range
should it be carried at in boilers using moderate pressures. Answer:
PH is the symbol used to express the degree of acidity or alkalinity of
a solution. Should be carried between 9.5 and 11. At higher
pressures may need to be lower.
◉ List the necessary safety appliances required in the operation of
power boilers. Answer:
◉ Which type of turbine has the greatest end thrust: Impulse or
reaction and why?. Answer: Reaction, because of the blade design
and the reaction of the pressure drops through the stages
◉ Name at least six steam turbine losses. Answer: 1.Throttling loss
2.Leaving loss
3. Exhaust Loss
4. Gland Leakage
5.Mechanical Loss
6.Radiation Loss
7.Nozzle and blade loss
8.Interstage Loss
,◉ A. What is the license law horsepower of a water tube boiler
having 6,000 sq ft of water heating surface and 1,000 sq ft of water
wall heating and a fire by oil
B. In the above-named boiler, what is the minimum discharge
relieving capacity of safety valves, and how many vales are required.
Answer: A. HP=WHS/34.6 X F + WWHS ?34.5 X F
Hp = 6000/34.5 X10 = 1000/34.5 X 16
Hp = 2204
B. Minimum discharge = 6000 X X 16
Minimum discharge = 60000 + 16000
Minimum discharge = 76,000 lbs. of steam per hour
must have two or more valves
◉ List four reasons for losing a vacuum in a plant using a surface
condenser. How could each condition be corrected?. Answer: 1.
Insufficient Cooling Water- Increase water flow and check intake
water line. If a cooling tower is the water source, check makeup
water supply.
2. Fouled Air Ejector- Change over air ejector and clean faulty
ejector.
3. Dirty Condenser- Remove from service as soon as possible for
cleaning.
, 4. Loss of water seal in the Hotwell- Re-establish Water seal.
5. Water logged Condenser- Check Condenser condensate pump and
return to service.
◉ When conducting a routine hydrostatic test on a water tube boiler
you should:. Answer: Install gags on all safety valves.
◉ A turbine has a 6" turbine inlet pipe. The owners would like to
place a 4" diameter spool piece at the inlet of the turbine. According
to MGL Chap. 146, what license must a person possess to be the
engineer in charge if the turbine? Explain your answer.. Answer: A
1st Engineers license. The entire inlet pipe per turbine manufacture
design specifications must be less that 5" to be a 2nd engineer
license and a spool piece would not satisfy of justify a change in
horsepower rating of particular turbine.
◉ A boiler-burning fuel oil with a heating value of 18,500 BTU-lb has
an 82% efficiency as determined by test. Fuel oil consumption
averages 1150 lb/hr. How many BTUs are lost?. Answer: Heat
relased = 1150(18,500) = 21,275 BTU/hr
Heat loss = 21.275 (1-.82) = 3,829,500 Btu/hr
About 3,829 lb/hr steam is lost
◉ A. Who is responsible for conducting tests of welding procedures
and for qualifying welders?
QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ How is radial clearance measured on a turbine. Answer: Use a
bridge gauge. If no bridge gauge, lead the main bearings
◉ What do the following letters stamped in the official symbol if
ASME stand for: R,M,E,A. Answer: R= Repair
M= Minature
E= Electric
A=Assembly
◉ What are the three methods commonly used to purify feedwater?.
Answer: 1. Mechanical- Using filters and settling tanks
2. Chemical- Using chemicals
3. Thermal- Using feedwater heaters
◉ If you are granted this license, what can you do with it in
reference to Chapter 146 of the Mass General Laws?. Answer:
Second Class, to have charge of and operate a boiler or boilers, and
to have charge of and operate engines, no one of which shall exceed
150 HP, or to operate a first-class plant under the engineer in direct
charge thereof.
,◉ What is the meaning of a PH value of water and in what range
should it be carried at in boilers using moderate pressures. Answer:
PH is the symbol used to express the degree of acidity or alkalinity of
a solution. Should be carried between 9.5 and 11. At higher
pressures may need to be lower.
◉ List the necessary safety appliances required in the operation of
power boilers. Answer:
◉ Which type of turbine has the greatest end thrust: Impulse or
reaction and why?. Answer: Reaction, because of the blade design
and the reaction of the pressure drops through the stages
◉ Name at least six steam turbine losses. Answer: 1.Throttling loss
2.Leaving loss
3. Exhaust Loss
4. Gland Leakage
5.Mechanical Loss
6.Radiation Loss
7.Nozzle and blade loss
8.Interstage Loss
,◉ A. What is the license law horsepower of a water tube boiler
having 6,000 sq ft of water heating surface and 1,000 sq ft of water
wall heating and a fire by oil
B. In the above-named boiler, what is the minimum discharge
relieving capacity of safety valves, and how many vales are required.
Answer: A. HP=WHS/34.6 X F + WWHS ?34.5 X F
Hp = 6000/34.5 X10 = 1000/34.5 X 16
Hp = 2204
B. Minimum discharge = 6000 X X 16
Minimum discharge = 60000 + 16000
Minimum discharge = 76,000 lbs. of steam per hour
must have two or more valves
◉ List four reasons for losing a vacuum in a plant using a surface
condenser. How could each condition be corrected?. Answer: 1.
Insufficient Cooling Water- Increase water flow and check intake
water line. If a cooling tower is the water source, check makeup
water supply.
2. Fouled Air Ejector- Change over air ejector and clean faulty
ejector.
3. Dirty Condenser- Remove from service as soon as possible for
cleaning.
, 4. Loss of water seal in the Hotwell- Re-establish Water seal.
5. Water logged Condenser- Check Condenser condensate pump and
return to service.
◉ When conducting a routine hydrostatic test on a water tube boiler
you should:. Answer: Install gags on all safety valves.
◉ A turbine has a 6" turbine inlet pipe. The owners would like to
place a 4" diameter spool piece at the inlet of the turbine. According
to MGL Chap. 146, what license must a person possess to be the
engineer in charge if the turbine? Explain your answer.. Answer: A
1st Engineers license. The entire inlet pipe per turbine manufacture
design specifications must be less that 5" to be a 2nd engineer
license and a spool piece would not satisfy of justify a change in
horsepower rating of particular turbine.
◉ A boiler-burning fuel oil with a heating value of 18,500 BTU-lb has
an 82% efficiency as determined by test. Fuel oil consumption
averages 1150 lb/hr. How many BTUs are lost?. Answer: Heat
relased = 1150(18,500) = 21,275 BTU/hr
Heat loss = 21.275 (1-.82) = 3,829,500 Btu/hr
About 3,829 lb/hr steam is lost
◉ A. Who is responsible for conducting tests of welding procedures
and for qualifying welders?
