Boiler Preparation, Start up, and shutdown

Question 1

Before starting up any boiler it is necessary that

a) it be properly warmed up
b) it be properly purged
c) it have a valid inspection certificate
d) the water supply system be in service
e) the waterside is boiled out

Answer 1

c) it have a valid inspection certificate

Question 2

New refractory must be thoroughly and properly cured with a
light fire because
a) of its high rate of differential expansion
b) it may burn if not cured
c) it may corrode if not cured
d) it contains moisture which can cause it to fracture if
not cured
e) of the length of time it takes it to heat up

Answer 2

d) it contains moisture which can cause it to fracture if

not cured

Question 3

The external inspection of a boiler
a) may include making sure the valves are in good
operating condition
b) may include making sure the furnace refractory is in order
c) may include making sure the tubes are free of scale
d) must be done after the boiler has been drained
e) may include making sure the exterior of the tubes
are in good condition

Answer 3

a) may include making sure the valves are in good

operating condition

Question 4

A boiler inspection

a) must be done after every shut down of the boiler
b) must be done when the boiler inspector requests it
c) must be done every two years
d) is done with the owner’s permission only
e) must be done before the boiler is ready for start-up

Answer 4

b) must be done when the boiler inspector requests it

Question 5

The first duty of the operator coming on shift is to

a) check the safety valve settings
b) fill out the log book
c) check that water column and gage glass connections are clear
d) talk to his supervisor
e) check the chemical tank levels

Answer 5

c) check that water column and gage glass connections are clear

Question 6

If a new boiler is not properly boiled out, it may result in

a) tubes rupturing
b) a furnace explosion
c) nuisance shutdowns
d) an unwanted high rate of water circulation
e) a foaming condition occurring

Answer 6

e) a foaming condition occurring

Question 7

Before lighting up a boiler you should:

1) purge the furnace
2) open the blow down valve
3) check the fuel supply
4) fill the boiler with water
a) 1, 2, 4
b) 2, 3, 4
c) 1, 2, 3, 4
d) 1, 3, 4
e) 2, 3

Answer 7

d) 1, 3, 4

Question 8

Boiler boiling out procedure should be done

a) at operating pressure
b) before the dry out procedure
c) at one-half the operating pressure
d) once a year
e) just before the annual inspection

Answer 8

c) at one-half the operating pressure

Question 9

Boiler dry-out means

a) drying out the top and bottom drum
b) igniting the dryers in the top drum
c) drying out the new refractory
d) empty the boiler out
e) drying out the entire boiler before start-up

Answer 9

c) drying out the new refractory

Question 10

On a boiler fuel system having a double block and bleed
set-up
a) the vent valve is a normally open valve
b) at least one of the main-line valves will always be open
c) the main-line valves will open before the prepurge stage
d) the main-line and vent valves all open together
e) the main-line valves are manually operated

Answer 10

a) the vent valve is a normally open valve

Question 11

Superheater vents are usually opened before firing a boiler
to
a) allow the superheater to warm up quicker
b) let the first steam produced act as a superheater coolant
c) ensure drum level does not drop
d) verify the operation of the steam flow transmitter
e) enhance boiler water circulation

Answer 11

b) let the first steam produced act as a superheater coolant

Question 12

A boiler furnace pre-purge
a) is the shortest step in the start-up sequence
b) can take place normally even if there is a low water
condition
c) must be done manually on a fully automatic boiler
d) must last a specific amount of time
e) will take place at the end of a boiler shutdown

Answer 12

d) must last a specific amount of time

Question 13

When igniting a gas or oil fired boiler you should ignite from:

1. another burner already in service
2. the hot refractory
3. a hand torch
4. an electrical igniter
   a) 1, 2
   b) 1, 3
   c) 2, 3
   d) 1, 2, 4
   e) 3, 4

Answer 13

e) 3, 4

Question 14

A boiler warm-up should

a) be done as quickly as possible
b) be done with low water so that metal heats up faster
c) be done slowly to minimize any differential expansion
d) be completed with a high firing rate
e) not involve any human intervention

Answer 14

c) be done slowly to minimize any differential expansion

Question 15

While a boiler is warming up it is good practice to
a) leave all drain valves closed
b) check the low water fuel cut-off device for proper
operation
c) test the safety valve before any pressure develops
d) not interfere in any way with the combustion process
e) go through a sootblowing operation sequence

Answer 15

b) check the low water fuel cut-off device for proper

operation

Question 16

When raising pressure in a firetube boiler you should:

1. raise steam slowly
2. raise steam as rapidly as possible
3. check the furnace frequently
4. check the system for leaks
   a) 2, 3, 4
   b) 1, 2, 3, 4
   c) 1, 3, 4
   d) 1, 2, 3
   e) 2, 4

Answer 16

c) 1, 3, 4

Question 17

Two boilers are feeding into the same steam header and each pressure
gage shows a pressure of 350 kPa. The steam pressure gage on the
header will indicate
a) slightly more than 350 kPa
b) 700 kPa
c) slightly more than 700 kPa
d) slightly less than 350 kPa
e) slightly less than 700 kPa

Answer 17

d) slightly less than 350 kPa

Question 18

Before removing a boiler from service for maintenance
purposes it is beneficial to
a) inform the Chief Inspector
b) do as little as possible with the waterside of the unit
c) use sootblowers and clean the fireside well
d) force cool the unit with post-purge air
e) drain the unit before the water cools to ambient
temperature

Answer 18

c) use sootblowers and clean the fireside well

Question 19

On boiler cool-down the vent should be opened

a) as soon as the post-purge is completed
b) when all temperatures are at ambient value
c) any time after the NRV is closed
d) just before the unit goes into a vacuum
e) at no time

Answer 19

d) just before the unit goes into a vacuum

Question 20

When cooling down a steam boiler that has been taken out of
service, a vent valve on the steam drum should be opened to
a) prevent a vacuum from forming in the boiler
b) release the air from the boiler
c) purge the shell of impure gases
d) let the operator know when the pressure has reached zero
e) prevent pressure build-up in the boiler

Answer 20

a) prevent a vacuum from forming in the boiler