LA STEAM ENGINEER EXAM STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ALL VERIFIED BY AN EXPERT A+ GRADED
What are the precautions to be observed when starting any boiler that has been closed dow
overnight? Are there any special precautions required starting a gas burning boiler?
Make a physical observation of the boiler and its systems, walk around the boilerto check for any
abnormal conditions such as flammable material at the dampers, fuel leaks,damaged electrical
conduits, etc. Check all boiler systems (feedwater, fuel, etc). Very important issue in starting a
gas firing boiler is a furnace prepurge. It is never has to be altered or bypassed.
How do you determine whether feedwater check valve for the boiler is not closing?
Check the temperature differential at the check valve when feedwater pump is not in operation.
What causes foaming in the boiler? How would you know when a boiler is foaming? How
do you stop foaming in a boiler?
High TDS, organic matter and oil in the boiler cases foaming. If the water level in the gage glass
fluctuates, the most probable cause of thisis foaming. We reduce amount of TDS by continuous
and bottom blowdowns;we use anti-foaming chemicals to prevent foaming.
What is boiler priming? What causes priming? How can priming in a boiler damage an
engine or pump?
When the liquid water from the boiler drum gets to the steam lines it called priming. Priming can
be caused by boiler drum level excessively high, by foaming, sudden pressure drop,and firing
ratebeing to high. Priming causes water hammer that could destroy or shorten the life expectancy
of a load (mechanical damage)
What would you do if the pressure gauge on the boiler registers 150 psi and you knew that
the safety valve was set to open at 100 psi?
Most likely pressure gage failed. In order to get such excessive pressure both operating and high
pressure limit controls have to fail also, plus the safety valve. Also, if the boiler was over
pressurized to such extent, it would give some indications such as excessive vibration and
abnormal sounds.Pressure gage can be quickly isolated and changed.
How do you test a safety valve to see if it operates at the proper set pressure? What is the
difference between a safety valve and a relief valve? How often do you test these valves?
How is leaking safety valve repaired?
Pressure valves can be tested hydrostatically (boiler filled up with water pressure).Safety valves
open instantaneously and relief valves do not open fully with a set pressure.Safety valves are
tested manually once a month and pressure tested once a year.Safety valves can be only repaired
by a manufacturer or an authorized company.
What causes heavy black smoke from the firebox of an oil-burning boiler?
, [Type here]
Most likely it is incomplete combustion caused by either improper air/fuel ratio or dirty burners.
What does heavy yellow smoke from the firebox of an oil-burning boiler indicates?
It is most likely a good combustion of #6 oil.It typically gives yellow or brownish haze from the
stack.
Name some of the causes of an excessive amount of accumulated soot in the firebox and
tubes of an oil burning boiler.
Improper air/fuel ratio.Dirty burner nozzles.Poor fuel atomization.
How often should a boiler be blown down? If the boiler water is treated, is it necessary to
blow down the boiler everyday? Why? What is the purpose of treating the boiler water?
What is TDS?
Boiler should be blown down at least once every 24 hours, even if the boiler water is treated. By
doing bottom blowdown we get rid of mud-like sludge and solid sediments that settle at the mud
drum bottom. We chemically treat boiler water to prevent formation of scale on boiler heating
surfaces,pitting of boiler metal, foaming and priming. TDS stands for "total dissolved solids".
For a boiler up to 250 psi amount of TDS shall not exceed 3000 -3500 ppm.
What would you do if you could not see the water level in the boiler gauge glass while the
boiler is in operation? What would you do if the water level in the gauge glass shifted up
and down?
First of all the gauge glass needs to be blown down to find out whether the gauge glass is full or
completely empty. If the boiler water level is above NOWL, the level has to be lowered by
bottom blow down. If the level is such that it can not be seen in the gauge glass, the boiler
burners have to be secured immediately. If the water level in the boiler shifts up and down, it is
indication of foaming caused by excessive amount of TDS. Continuous blowdown has to be
increased and in addition, the boiler has to be bottom blowdown.
If the boiler feedwater pump is operating and the boiler feedwater is not rising, what is the
best thing to do? Can you increase the speed of the feedwater pump for more water
volume?
One of the options available is to decrease firing rate of the boiler and see if the water level
stabilizes. Another option is to bring the second pump on line.If these two options do not remedy
the situation and the boiler water level cannot be maintained, the boiler must be secured.We
cannot increase speed of the feedwater pump.
What is the boiler water pH? What pH reading is considered acidic or alkaline? Give an
example.
ANSWERS ALL VERIFIED BY AN EXPERT A+ GRADED
What are the precautions to be observed when starting any boiler that has been closed dow
overnight? Are there any special precautions required starting a gas burning boiler?
Make a physical observation of the boiler and its systems, walk around the boilerto check for any
abnormal conditions such as flammable material at the dampers, fuel leaks,damaged electrical
conduits, etc. Check all boiler systems (feedwater, fuel, etc). Very important issue in starting a
gas firing boiler is a furnace prepurge. It is never has to be altered or bypassed.
How do you determine whether feedwater check valve for the boiler is not closing?
Check the temperature differential at the check valve when feedwater pump is not in operation.
What causes foaming in the boiler? How would you know when a boiler is foaming? How
do you stop foaming in a boiler?
High TDS, organic matter and oil in the boiler cases foaming. If the water level in the gage glass
fluctuates, the most probable cause of thisis foaming. We reduce amount of TDS by continuous
and bottom blowdowns;we use anti-foaming chemicals to prevent foaming.
What is boiler priming? What causes priming? How can priming in a boiler damage an
engine or pump?
When the liquid water from the boiler drum gets to the steam lines it called priming. Priming can
be caused by boiler drum level excessively high, by foaming, sudden pressure drop,and firing
ratebeing to high. Priming causes water hammer that could destroy or shorten the life expectancy
of a load (mechanical damage)
What would you do if the pressure gauge on the boiler registers 150 psi and you knew that
the safety valve was set to open at 100 psi?
Most likely pressure gage failed. In order to get such excessive pressure both operating and high
pressure limit controls have to fail also, plus the safety valve. Also, if the boiler was over
pressurized to such extent, it would give some indications such as excessive vibration and
abnormal sounds.Pressure gage can be quickly isolated and changed.
How do you test a safety valve to see if it operates at the proper set pressure? What is the
difference between a safety valve and a relief valve? How often do you test these valves?
How is leaking safety valve repaired?
Pressure valves can be tested hydrostatically (boiler filled up with water pressure).Safety valves
open instantaneously and relief valves do not open fully with a set pressure.Safety valves are
tested manually once a month and pressure tested once a year.Safety valves can be only repaired
by a manufacturer or an authorized company.
What causes heavy black smoke from the firebox of an oil-burning boiler?
, [Type here]
Most likely it is incomplete combustion caused by either improper air/fuel ratio or dirty burners.
What does heavy yellow smoke from the firebox of an oil-burning boiler indicates?
It is most likely a good combustion of #6 oil.It typically gives yellow or brownish haze from the
stack.
Name some of the causes of an excessive amount of accumulated soot in the firebox and
tubes of an oil burning boiler.
Improper air/fuel ratio.Dirty burner nozzles.Poor fuel atomization.
How often should a boiler be blown down? If the boiler water is treated, is it necessary to
blow down the boiler everyday? Why? What is the purpose of treating the boiler water?
What is TDS?
Boiler should be blown down at least once every 24 hours, even if the boiler water is treated. By
doing bottom blowdown we get rid of mud-like sludge and solid sediments that settle at the mud
drum bottom. We chemically treat boiler water to prevent formation of scale on boiler heating
surfaces,pitting of boiler metal, foaming and priming. TDS stands for "total dissolved solids".
For a boiler up to 250 psi amount of TDS shall not exceed 3000 -3500 ppm.
What would you do if you could not see the water level in the boiler gauge glass while the
boiler is in operation? What would you do if the water level in the gauge glass shifted up
and down?
First of all the gauge glass needs to be blown down to find out whether the gauge glass is full or
completely empty. If the boiler water level is above NOWL, the level has to be lowered by
bottom blow down. If the level is such that it can not be seen in the gauge glass, the boiler
burners have to be secured immediately. If the water level in the boiler shifts up and down, it is
indication of foaming caused by excessive amount of TDS. Continuous blowdown has to be
increased and in addition, the boiler has to be bottom blowdown.
If the boiler feedwater pump is operating and the boiler feedwater is not rising, what is the
best thing to do? Can you increase the speed of the feedwater pump for more water
volume?
One of the options available is to decrease firing rate of the boiler and see if the water level
stabilizes. Another option is to bring the second pump on line.If these two options do not remedy
the situation and the boiler water level cannot be maintained, the boiler must be secured.We
cannot increase speed of the feedwater pump.
What is the boiler water pH? What pH reading is considered acidic or alkaline? Give an
example.
