rankine cycle boilers classification specification fittings accessories fire tube water tube boilers - Question Bank

1. Which specification determines the physical size and weight of a boiler?
A) Steam temperature
B) Boiler capacity and pressure rating
C) Fuel type
D) Color code
2. The 'heating surface' of a boiler refers to:
A) The outer surface of the boiler shell
B) The area exposed to hot flue gases on one side and water/steam on the other
C) The area of the furnace refractory
D) The surface area of the safety valve
3. Which of the following is a characteristic of a 'vertical fire-tube boiler'?
A) Requires a large horizontal footprint
B) Compact design, suitable for limited space
C) Primarily used for high-pressure power generation
D) Relies on forced water circulation
4. What is the purpose of 'mud boxes' or 'sediment collectors' in some boiler designs?
A) To increase steam velocity
B) To facilitate the removal of sludge and sediment
C) To preheat the incoming air
D) To condense steam
5. Which specification is essential for determining the type of fuel handling system required for a boiler?
A) Boiler efficiency
B) Type of fuel (solid, liquid, gas)
C) Steam pressure
D) Water treatment method
6. A 'fire-tube boiler' typically has a lower steam generating capacity compared to a water-tube boiler of similar physical size because:
A) The heat transfer surface area is less efficient
B) The volume of water to be heated is larger
C) The combustion temperature is lower
D) It operates at lower pressures
7. Which term describes the process of removing dissolved gases from boiler feed water?
A) Purification
B) Deaeration
C) Filtration
D) Softening
8. What is the primary function of the 'steam drum' in a water-tube boiler?
A) To burn fuel
B) To collect steam and separate it from water
C) To heat the feed water
D) To discharge flue gases
9. The 'feed check valve' is a fitting that:
A) Allows feed water to enter the boiler but prevents backflow
B) Controls the rate of steam flow
C) Releases excess steam pressure
D) Indicates the water level
10. Which specification relates to the structural integrity and safety of a boiler?
A) Color of the paint
B) Maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP)
C) Number of burners
D) Type of insulation
11. What is a key advantage of water-tube boilers for large-scale power generation?
A) Simplicity of design
B) Lower operating temperatures
C) High steam generating capacity and efficiency
D) Reduced water volume
12. Which boiler fitting is used to remove soot and ash deposits from the heating surfaces?
A) Blow-off cock
B) Safety valve
C) Soot blower
D) Pressure gauge
13. The 'furnace' or 'combustion chamber' is where:
A) Steam is condensed
B) Fuel is burned to produce heat
C) Feed water is preheated
D) Flue gases are cooled
14. Which type of boiler is designed to operate at pressures above the critical pressure?
A) Fire-tube boiler
B) Lancashire boiler
C) Supercritical boiler
D) Vertical boiler
15. What is the primary function of a 'steam stop valve' (also known as a main stop valve)?
A) To regulate steam flow to the turbine
B) To isolate the boiler from the steam main
C) To control feed water entry
D) To relieve excess pressure
16. Which statement best describes the Rankine cycle's relevance to boilers?
A) It describes the combustion process within the boiler
B) It is the thermodynamic cycle that the boiler's steam output powers
C) It details the mechanical construction of the boiler
D) It explains the heat transfer within the boiler tubes
17. What is the main purpose of the 'grate' in a solid-fuel-fired boiler?
A) To support the water tubes
B) To hold the fuel bed and allow air to pass through for combustion
C) To collect ash
D) To distribute steam
18. In a water-tube boiler, the circulation of water is typically:
A) Primarily by forced circulation
B) Always by natural convection
C) A combination of natural and forced circulation
D) Driven by the combustion process
19. Which accessory helps in recovering waste heat from flue gases to preheat combustion air?
A) Economizer
B) Superheater
C) Air preheater
D) Steam separator
20. A 'manhole' is a boiler fitting primarily used for:
A) Inspecting and cleaning the internal parts of the boiler
B) Admitting feed water
C) Draining the boiler
D) Measuring steam flow
21. Which of the following is a specification related to the fuel used in a boiler?
A) Boiler shell diameter
B) Type of fuel (e.g., coal, gas, oil)
C) Number of safety valves
D) Material of the tubes
22. What is the main hazard associated with operating a boiler without proper water level control?
A) Over-cooling of the boiler
B) Over-pressurization
C) Overheating and potential explosion
D) Excessive fuel consumption
23. The 'tube plate' is a critical component in fire-tube boilers, connecting the:
A) Furnace to the steam drum
B) Flue tubes to the boiler shell
C) Water tubes to the steam drum
D) Economizer to the superheater
24. Which type of boiler is commonly used in locomotives?
A) Lancashire boiler
B) Locomotive fire-tube boiler
C) Benson boiler
D) La Mont boiler
25. What is the function of a 'chimney' or 'stack' in a boiler system?
A) To supply combustion air
B) To inject fuel into the furnace
C) To discharge flue gases to the atmosphere and provide draft
D) To cool the boiler shell
26. A 'steam separator' is an accessory used to:
A) Increase the steam temperature
B) Remove water droplets from saturated steam
C) Reduce the steam pressure
D) Condense steam
27. Which specification is crucial for matching a boiler to a specific industrial process demand?
A) Boiler material thickness
B) Steam pressure and temperature requirements
C) Number of access doors
D) Color of the insulation
28. What is the primary purpose of the refractory lining in a boiler furnace?
A) To cool the combustion gases
B) To withstand high temperatures and insulate the furnace
C) To increase the flow rate of combustion air
D) To prevent water leakage
29. Which of the following is a disadvantage of fire-tube boilers compared to water-tube boilers?
A) Higher steam generation rate
B) Lower efficiency at high pressures
C) Ability to achieve very high pressures
D) Compact size for equivalent capacity
30. What does the 'drum' in a water-tube boiler typically contain?
A) Only flue gases
B) Only feed water
C) A mixture of water and steam
D) Combustion air
31. Boiler efficiency is primarily determined by the ratio of:
A) Heat supplied to the fuel consumed
B) Useful heat absorbed by the water/steam to the heat supplied by the fuel
C) Steam produced to the air supplied
D) Flue gas temperature to the furnace temperature
32. What is a key specification considered when selecting a boiler?
A) The color of the boiler exterior
B) The steam generating capacity (e.g., kg/hr or MW)
C) The brand of the lubricant used
D) The number of rivets in the shell
33. The Babcock & Wilcox boiler is a classic example of a:
A) Fire-tube boiler
B) Water-tube boiler
C) Locomotive boiler
D) Marine boiler
34. Which of these is NOT a common type of fire-tube boiler?
A) Vertical fire-tube boiler
B) Horizontal fire-tube boiler
C) Babcock & Wilcox boiler
D) Lancashire boiler
35. Which classification of boiler is typically characterized by a large cylindrical shell with internal furnaces and flue tubes?
A) Water-tube boiler
B) Fire-tube boiler
C) Fluidized bed boiler
D) Supercritical boiler
36. Which of the following describes a 'water-tube' in a boiler?
A) A tube through which hot combustion gases pass
B) A tube through which water and steam circulate
C) A tube used for ash removal
D) A tube for admitting fuel
37. Which of the following describes a 'fire-tube' in a boiler?
A) A tube through which water circulates
B) A tube through which hot combustion gases pass
C) A tube used for supporting the boiler shell
D) A tube containing the fuel supply
38. A fusible plug is a safety device designed to:
A) Prevent over-pressurization
B) Indicate low water level by melting and releasing steam
C) Control the steam temperature
D) Detect flue gas leaks
39. What is the function of a superheater in a boiler system?
A) To increase the temperature of saturated steam by removing water droplets
B) To reheat the steam after it has passed through the turbine
C) To further heat the steam above its saturation temperature
D) To condense the exhaust steam
40. Which accessory is used to preheat the feed water before it enters the boiler?
A) Superheater
B) Economizer
C) Steam separator
D) Fusible plug
41. A blow-off cock is used for:
A) Admitting feed water into the boiler
B) Periodically removing sediment and sludge from the boiler
C) Allowing steam to escape during startup
D) Measuring the steam flow rate
42. What is the purpose of a pressure gauge on a boiler?
A) To measure the temperature of the flue gases
B) To indicate the current steam pressure inside the boiler
C) To control the rate of fuel combustion
D) To monitor the water flow rate
43. The primary function of a safety valve in a boiler is to:
A) Indicate the steam pressure
B) Prevent the water level from dropping too low
C) Release excess steam pressure to prevent explosion
D) Remove impurities from the boiler water
44. Which boiler fitting is used to control the water level inside the boiler drum?
A) Safety valve
B) Pressure gauge
C) Water level indicator (gauge glass)
D) Blow-off cock
45. What is the main advantage of a water-tube boiler over a fire-tube boiler for high-pressure applications?
A) Lower initial cost
B) Simpler construction
C) Better steam-raising rate and higher pressures achievable
D) Easier maintenance
46. Which of the following is a common application for fire-tube boilers?
A) Large power plants
B) Industrial heating and process steam
C) Marine propulsion
D) High-rise building heating
47. A Lancashire boiler is a type of:
A) Water-tube boiler
B) Fire-tube boiler
C) Supercritical boiler
D) Once-through boiler
48. Which type of boiler is generally preferred for high-pressure and high-capacity steam generation?
A) Fire-tube boiler
B) Water-tube boiler
C) Lancashire boiler
D) Cochran boiler
49. In a fire-tube boiler, where does the combustion of fuel primarily occur?
A) Inside the tubes
B) Outside the tubes, in the furnace
C) Within the steam drum
D) In a separate pre-heating chamber
50. Which of the following is the primary distinguishing factor between fire-tube and water-tube boilers?
A) The pressure at which they operate
B) The type of fuel they consume
C) Whether the hot gases pass through tubes or the water passes through tubes
D) The method of ash removal