STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS (LA STEAM
ENGINEER LICENSE
EXAM)
[Document subtitle]
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, Certainly! Here is a numbered list of your questions along with their answers formatted for a
formal document:
1. **What are the precautions to be observed when starting any boiler that has been shut
down overnight? Are there any special precautions required for starting a gas-burning
boiler?**
- Conduct a physical inspection of the boiler and its systems, checking for abnormal
conditions such as flammable materials near dampers, fuel leaks, damaged electrical
conduits, etc.
- Check all systems (feedwater, fuel, etc.).
- For gas-fired boilers, ensure a furnace pre-purge is performed; it must never be bypassed
or altered.
2. **How do you determine whether the feedwater check valve for the boiler is not closing?
**
- Check the temperature differential at the check valve when the feedwater pump is not
operating.
3. **What causes foaming in the boiler? How would you know when a boiler is foaming?
How do you stop foaming in a boiler?**
- Causes include high TDS, organic matter, and oil in the boiler.
- Signs include fluctuating water levels in the gauge glass.
- To prevent foaming, reduce TDS via continuous and bottom blowdowns and use anti-
foaming chemicals.
4. **What is boiler priming? What causes priming? How can priming damage an engine or
pump?**
- Priming is when liquid water from the boiler drum reaches the steam lines.
- Caused by high drum levels, foaming, sudden pressure drops, or excessive firing rates.
- It can cause water hammer, leading to mechanical damage or reduced lifespan of
equipment.
QUESTIONS (LA STEAM
ENGINEER LICENSE
EXAM)
[Document subtitle]
[DATE]
[COMPANY NAME]
[Company address]
, Certainly! Here is a numbered list of your questions along with their answers formatted for a
formal document:
1. **What are the precautions to be observed when starting any boiler that has been shut
down overnight? Are there any special precautions required for starting a gas-burning
boiler?**
- Conduct a physical inspection of the boiler and its systems, checking for abnormal
conditions such as flammable materials near dampers, fuel leaks, damaged electrical
conduits, etc.
- Check all systems (feedwater, fuel, etc.).
- For gas-fired boilers, ensure a furnace pre-purge is performed; it must never be bypassed
or altered.
2. **How do you determine whether the feedwater check valve for the boiler is not closing?
**
- Check the temperature differential at the check valve when the feedwater pump is not
operating.
3. **What causes foaming in the boiler? How would you know when a boiler is foaming?
How do you stop foaming in a boiler?**
- Causes include high TDS, organic matter, and oil in the boiler.
- Signs include fluctuating water levels in the gauge glass.
- To prevent foaming, reduce TDS via continuous and bottom blowdowns and use anti-
foaming chemicals.
4. **What is boiler priming? What causes priming? How can priming damage an engine or
pump?**
- Priming is when liquid water from the boiler drum reaches the steam lines.
- Caused by high drum levels, foaming, sudden pressure drops, or excessive firing rates.
- It can cause water hammer, leading to mechanical damage or reduced lifespan of
equipment.
