Book 1 Chapter 17: Steam Traps

Question 1

Which of the following are types of traps?
A) Thermodynamic
B) Thermostatic
C) Mechanical
D) All of the above

Answer 1

D) All of the above

Question 2

As steam enters an inverted bucket steam trap, it will ____________, giving it buoyancy, and cause the bucket to rise.
A) Release air
B) Collect at the top of the inverted bucket
C) Increase in temperature
D) Condense

Answer 2

B) Collect at the top of the inverted bucket

Question 3

In a bimetal steam trap, ____________ are welded together.
A) Dissimilar metals
B) Strips of copper
C) Strips of tin
D) High temperature strips of plastic

Answer 3

A) Dissimilar metals

Question 4

Using a _______ valve in the bypass line makes it possible to rid the system of condensate by hand throttling while the trap is out of service.
A) Gate
B) Globe
C) Needle
D) Ball

Answer 4

B) Globe

Question 5

To reduce the effect of water hammer, the suction and discharge lines of pumps are often equipped with:
A) Check valves
B) Relief valves
C) Air chambers
D) All of the above

Answer 5

D) All of the above

Question 6

A mechanical steam trap:
A) Has alcohol inside the float
B) Can be fitted in any position
C) Has a very low pressure range of operation
D) May have a thermostatic air vent
E) Should be fitted to the safety valve drain

Answer 6

D) May have a thermostatic air vent

Question 7

A steam trap, that has a discharge temperature higher than the temperature corresponding to the condensate return, indicates that:
A) There is condensate being collected by the trap
B) The trap is passing steam
C) The trap is plugged up
D) The inlet steam is superheated
E) The check valve in the condensate line has failed

Answer 7

B) The trap is passing steam

Question 8

The sudden closing of a valve in a water pipeline can result in:
A) A pressure shock wave to surge through the pipeline
B) An increase in water pressure at the valve
C) A sudden decrease in the velocity of the water
D) A flow reversal of water in the pipeline
E) All of the above

Answer 8

E) All of the above

Question 9

A steam trap that is in service but feels cold indicates that:
A) The trap is plugged
B) The steam is cold
C) The condensate line is frozen
D) The steam is not superheated
E) The trap is passing steam

Answer 9

A) The trap is plugged

Question 10

Steam traps are usually located at the:
A) Lowest point of a steam line
B) Highest point of a steam line
C) Highest point of a hot water line
D) Lowest point of a hot water line
E) Hottest point of a steam line

Answer 10

A) Lowest point of a steam line

Question 11

A thermostatic trap is controlled by a:
A) Bucket that flips when filled with condensate
B) Temperature difference between condensate and steam
C) High level float control
D) Difference in velocity between condensate and steam
E) Combination of a bucket and a float

Answer 11

B) Temperature difference between condensate and steam

Question 12

A ________ should be installed just ahead of a steam trap.
A) Non-return valve
B) Pressure reducing valve
C) Strainer
D) Check valve
E) Pressure gauge

Answer 12

C) Strainer

Question 13

Before admitting steam to any system:
A) All valves must be closed
B) Condensate must be removed from the system
C) Any check valves in the line must be opened
D) All drains must be closed
E) All valves must be opened

Answer 13

B) Condensate must be removed from the system

Question 14

The operation of a mechanical steam trap depends on the:
A) Difference in specific gravity between the steam and condensate
B) Liquid level in the condensate tank
C) Liquid level in the steam trap
D) Difference in temperature between the steam and condensate
E) Difference in pressure between the steam and condensate

Answer 14

C) Liquid level in the steam trap

Question 15

The purpose of a steam trap is to:
A) Remove steam from a steam line without allowing water to pass
B) Collect steam for storage purposes
C) Reduce high, pressure steam to a lower pressure
D) Prevent sludge compounds from entering the steam line
E) Remove condensation from steam lines without allowing steam to pass

Answer 15

E) Remove condensation from steam lines without allowing steam to pass through

Question 16

In order to reduce the effect of water hammer on pump discharge and suction lines, these lines are often equipped with:
A) Strainers
B) Corrugated expansion joints
C) Air chambers
D) Globe valves
E) Stress in pipe hangers

Answer 16

C) Air chambers

Question 17

A disadvantage of a ball float steam trap is that it:
A) Is vulnerable to damage from water hammer
B) Does not handle air well
C) Is greatly affected by changes in steam pressure
D) Only operates well under high condensate loads
E) Must be bypassed on start up

Answer 17

A) Is vulnerable to damage from water hammer

Question 18

To reduce the effect of water hammer, the suction and discharge lines of pumps are often equipped with:
A) Check valves
B) Air chambers
C) Relief valves
D) All of the above
E) Non of the above

Answer 18

D) All of the above

Question 19

The ball float trap has the disadvantage of being vulnerable to damage from:
A) High steam temperature
B) High steam pressure
C) High condensate temperature
D) Water hammer
E) Air

Answer 19

d) Water hammer

Question 20

One of the different general classes of traps according to their principle of operation is the ______ trap.
A) Electronic
B) Pneumatic
C) Hydraulic
D) Thermostatic
E) Electrical

Answer 20

D) Thermostatic

Question 21

The air present in steam lines and equipment must also be removed to prevent:
A) Pitting from carbon dioxide
B) Resulting from carbon dioxide
C) Corrosion from oxygen
D) Caustic embrittlement
E) Pitting from oxygen

Answer 21

E) Pitting from oxygen

Question 22

Most traps are designed to discharge any _______ present in the lines or equipment.
A) Oil
B) Oxygen
C) Air
D) Steam
E) Carbon dioxide

Answer 22

C) Air

Question 23

In one design of a mechanical trap a _____ is used to open and close the trap outlet valve.
A) Temperature difference
B) Ball float
C) Bi-metallic strip
D) Pressure difference
E) Bellows

Answer 23

B) Ball float

Question 24

Using a _______ valve in the bypass line makes it possible to rid the system of condensate by hand throttling while the trap is out of service.
A) Needle
B) Globe
C) Ball
D) Butterfly
E) Gate

Answer 24

B) Globe

Question 25

The purpose of the steam trap is to discharge _________ from steam lines and equipment without permitting steam to escape.
A) Water and condensate
B) Water and air
C) Air and steam
D) Condensate and air
E) Steam and condensate

Answer 25

A) Water and condensate

Question 26

The operation of the thermostatic trap depends upon the difference in:
A) Density between the steam and the condensate
B) Pressure between the steam and the condensate
C) Temperature between and the air
D) Temperature between the steam and the condensate
E) Pressure between the steam and the air

Answer 26

D) Temperature between the steam and the condensate

Question 27

In the design of a mechanical trap a/an _______ is used to open and close the trap outlet valve.
A) Pressure difference
B) Temperature difference
C) Bellows
D) Inverted bucket
E) Mi-metallic strip

Answer 27

D) Inverted bucket