Ohio Stationary Steam Engineer – 2nd Class Practice
Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
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1. The main purpose of a boiler safety valve is to:
A. Regulate steam temperature
B. Prevent excessive pressure buildup
C. Maintain water level
D. Release air from the steam drum
Rationale: Safety valves automatically release steam if pressure exceeds the safe limit, preventing
boiler explosions.
2. The device used to measure boiler steam pressure is called a:
A. Thermometer
B. Flow meter
C. Pressure gauge
D. Draft gauge
Rationale: The pressure gauge indicates internal steam pressure to ensure safe operation.
3. The term “superheated steam” means steam:
A. Containing water droplets
B. Heated beyond the saturation temperature
C. Produced at low pressure
D. Used for heating feedwater
Rationale: Superheated steam is dry steam heated above its saturation point to increase efficiency.
4. Boiler blowdown removes:
A. Fuel residue
B. Impurities and sludge from the water
C. Combustion gases
D. Air pockets
Rationale: Blowdown prevents scale and corrosion by removing dissolved solids from the boiler water.
,5. The most accurate method of checking boiler water level is:
A. Sight glass
B. Try cocks
C. Pressure gauge
D. Feedwater regulator
Rationale: Try cocks provide a direct, manual verification of the actual water level in the boiler.
6. The Hartford Loop is designed to:
A. Equalize steam pressure
B. Prevent boiler water loss due to a broken return line
C. Increase feedwater temperature
D. Control combustion air
Rationale: The Hartford Loop prevents siphoning of water from the boiler if the condensate return line
breaks.
7. The primary function of an economizer is to:
A. Superheat steam
B. Recover heat from flue gases to preheat feedwater
C. Reduce draft losses
D. Purify feedwater
Rationale: Economizers improve efficiency by transferring waste heat from flue gases to incoming
feedwater.
8. What is the purpose of a steam trap?
A. Release air only
B. Discharge condensate without losing steam
C. Control pressure
D. Maintain water level
Rationale: Steam traps automatically remove condensate from steam lines to maintain dry steam
flow.
9. A fusible plug is used to:
A. Regulate steam flow
B. Prevent overheating of the boiler crown sheet
C. Release pressure
D. Purge air
, Rationale: The fusible plug melts when water level drops too low, warning of a dangerous overheating
condition.
10. The most common fuel used for industrial boilers today is:
A. Coal
B. Natural gas
C. Fuel oil
D. Wood
Rationale: Natural gas is clean-burning, efficient, and widely available, making it the preferred fuel.
11. The purpose of the steam drum is to:
A. Store fuel
B. Separate steam from water
C. Regulate air supply
D. Control pressure
Rationale: The steam drum provides space for steam-water separation in water-tube boilers.
12. Scale on boiler tubes acts as:
A. An insulator, reducing heat transfer
B. A lubricant
C. A conductor, improving efficiency
D. A corrosion inhibitor
Rationale: Scale buildup hinders heat transfer, causing overheating and efficiency loss.
13. The term “latent heat” refers to:
A. Heat absorbed or released during a change of state
B. Sensible heat in air
C. Heat due to combustion
D. Superheat in steam
Rationale: Latent heat changes the phase (liquid to vapor) without changing temperature.
14. A water column is connected to the boiler to:
A. Measure pressure
B. Provide a visible water level indication
C. Control temperature
Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download
1. The main purpose of a boiler safety valve is to:
A. Regulate steam temperature
B. Prevent excessive pressure buildup
C. Maintain water level
D. Release air from the steam drum
Rationale: Safety valves automatically release steam if pressure exceeds the safe limit, preventing
boiler explosions.
2. The device used to measure boiler steam pressure is called a:
A. Thermometer
B. Flow meter
C. Pressure gauge
D. Draft gauge
Rationale: The pressure gauge indicates internal steam pressure to ensure safe operation.
3. The term “superheated steam” means steam:
A. Containing water droplets
B. Heated beyond the saturation temperature
C. Produced at low pressure
D. Used for heating feedwater
Rationale: Superheated steam is dry steam heated above its saturation point to increase efficiency.
4. Boiler blowdown removes:
A. Fuel residue
B. Impurities and sludge from the water
C. Combustion gases
D. Air pockets
Rationale: Blowdown prevents scale and corrosion by removing dissolved solids from the boiler water.
,5. The most accurate method of checking boiler water level is:
A. Sight glass
B. Try cocks
C. Pressure gauge
D. Feedwater regulator
Rationale: Try cocks provide a direct, manual verification of the actual water level in the boiler.
6. The Hartford Loop is designed to:
A. Equalize steam pressure
B. Prevent boiler water loss due to a broken return line
C. Increase feedwater temperature
D. Control combustion air
Rationale: The Hartford Loop prevents siphoning of water from the boiler if the condensate return line
breaks.
7. The primary function of an economizer is to:
A. Superheat steam
B. Recover heat from flue gases to preheat feedwater
C. Reduce draft losses
D. Purify feedwater
Rationale: Economizers improve efficiency by transferring waste heat from flue gases to incoming
feedwater.
8. What is the purpose of a steam trap?
A. Release air only
B. Discharge condensate without losing steam
C. Control pressure
D. Maintain water level
Rationale: Steam traps automatically remove condensate from steam lines to maintain dry steam
flow.
9. A fusible plug is used to:
A. Regulate steam flow
B. Prevent overheating of the boiler crown sheet
C. Release pressure
D. Purge air
, Rationale: The fusible plug melts when water level drops too low, warning of a dangerous overheating
condition.
10. The most common fuel used for industrial boilers today is:
A. Coal
B. Natural gas
C. Fuel oil
D. Wood
Rationale: Natural gas is clean-burning, efficient, and widely available, making it the preferred fuel.
11. The purpose of the steam drum is to:
A. Store fuel
B. Separate steam from water
C. Regulate air supply
D. Control pressure
Rationale: The steam drum provides space for steam-water separation in water-tube boilers.
12. Scale on boiler tubes acts as:
A. An insulator, reducing heat transfer
B. A lubricant
C. A conductor, improving efficiency
D. A corrosion inhibitor
Rationale: Scale buildup hinders heat transfer, causing overheating and efficiency loss.
13. The term “latent heat” refers to:
A. Heat absorbed or released during a change of state
B. Sensible heat in air
C. Heat due to combustion
D. Superheat in steam
Rationale: Latent heat changes the phase (liquid to vapor) without changing temperature.
14. A water column is connected to the boiler to:
A. Measure pressure
B. Provide a visible water level indication
C. Control temperature
