Massachusetts 3rd Class Engineer Practice Exam

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• What happens to the vacuum reading if the loop seal is lost?
• How does forced draft operate in a furnace?
• What is the function of bottom blowdown in a boiler?
• What is the primary purpose of a convergent-divergent nozzle in a turbine?
• What is the correct procedure for conducting an overspeed trip test?
• How much pressure can the second safety valve be set above MAWP?
• Which is true about safety valves discharging into a common outlet pipe?
• Which component is associated with preventing carryover in boiler systems?
• At what pH value is a solution considered neutral?
• What is an accumulation test used to verify in a boiler?
• Why is rapid decision-making crucial for an operator during a boiler tube failure?
• In an impulse turbine, what happens to steam as it passes through the stationary nozzle?
• What does a tachometer measure?
• What is the HG equivalent of a 34-foot column of water?
• What does SO2 stand for?
• What is the purpose of adding caustic soda to boiler water?
• What is the requirement for safety valves in a boiler with more than 500 sq ft of heating surface?
• What is the effect of a centrifugal force in a centrifugal pump?
• What is the amount of latent heat required to evaporate 1 lb of water at 212°F?
• What should be present in the inter condenser drain loop to check valve sealing?
• Which compounds are considered scale forming solids in boiler systems?
• What device is used to mechanically remove oxygen from boiler feedwater?
• What information do the numbers on a fuel nozzle usually provide?
• What does a volute centrifugal pump's operation involve?
• What must be checked before lighting off a boiler?
• What is the primary function of an inverted bucket trap?
• What is a significant effect of steam expansion in the Curtis stage?
• What is the highest heat release for refractory walls?
• What is the maximum setting range for safety valves related to MAWP?
• What component is adjusted to change the set pressure of a safety valve?
• Under what conditions must a boiler be constructed in accordance with ASME section 1?
• What characterizes active pitting in boiler corrosion?
• Which of the following can lead to a loss of vacuum in a condenser?
• Why is it important to monitor for leaks in a fuel oil heater?
• Chlorides are categorized as which type of chemical species?
• What is one method for determining the heating value of fuel?
• What does the popping pressure of a superheater safety valve account for?
• If a gauge reads 150psi, what would be the absolute pressure?
• What is the BTU loss from a 5% blow down of a boiler operating at 400F water?
• Which code should be referred to for engineering practices: ASME or Massachusetts code?
• Where in a plant would a tachometer typically be used?
• What happens when the safety valve lifts at not higher than the MAWP?
• What primarily distinguishes a rotary pump from a centrifugal pump?
• How many BTUs are in a kilowatt hour?
• How should multiple safety valves be configured on a boiler?
• In what circumstances should the main steam stop valve be secured during a boiler outage?
• What does the Ringelmann scale measure?
• What is the purpose of a hydrostatic test on a boiler?
• What is the role of vacuum pumps in a condenser system?
• What must you ensure prior to putting the driven equipment into service?
• What is the purpose of using a blowdown in a boiler system?
• Which formula is NOT a method for determining boiler efficiency?
• Which of the following is NOT typically found on a boiler stamp?
• Which characteristic is essential for safety valves in a boiler system?
• How does pH affect the characteristics of phosphates in boiler water?
• How does temperature change during steam expansion in an impulse turbine?
• What causes a safety valve to open?
• What are the three essentials for perfect combustion?
• How can high alkaline elements in a boiler negatively impact its operation?
• How does an external gear pump operate?
• What pressure must each feedwater source be capable of supplying to the boiler?
• What should be done when plugging a defective boiler tube?
• How is horsepower calculated when using the formula involving specific gravity?
• According to state law, a steam supply pipe with a diameter of less than 1 3/4 inches is rated at what horsepower?
• What is the function of a blowdown tank?
• If a cooling tower supplies 80 ft of head pressure, what is the equivalent pressure at the pump suction?
• What should an operator do if they cannot maintain the water level in other boilers during a tube failure?
• What is one advantage of water tube boilers over fire tube boilers?
• What is the primary function of a steam turbine?
• What is the volume percentage of oxygen in the air?
• What changes occur to steam when passing through the stationary nozzles in a Curtis Stage steam turbine?
• What must you do after rolling the turbine to 200-300 rpm?
• What is a primary function of a deaerator in a boiler system?
• What is one characteristic of inactive pitting in corrosion?
• What type of bearing is a Kingsbury thrust bearing?
• Which of the following is NOT a common issue with surface condensers?
• What is the minimum relieving capacity of the smaller valve when two safety valves are mounted?
• How does the speed droop of oil relay governors generally compare?
• What is the purpose of a wet layup in a boiler?
• What does Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) refer to?
• What is the ligament efficiency of a boiler with 3-inch diameter tube holes pitched 5.25 inches apart?
• What is an example of radiation in heat transfer?
• At what speed does the emergency overspeed governor operate?
• What is one of the primary functions of boiler water testing?
• Which element is primarily found in coal?
• How many BTUs are equivalent to one boiler horsepower?
• What is often the ultimate goal of a blowdown process in a boiler?
• Why is it necessary to treat boiler feedwater?
• If a Bourdon tube pressure gauge is submerged to a depth of 200 feet, what will it read?
• What describes the condition of a fouled air ejector?
• What is the minimum size requirement for blowoff lines in boilers with less than 100 sq ft of heating surface?
• How does the heat release of water walls compare to that of refractory walls?
• What is the purpose of a loop seal in a boiler system?
• What are the parameters a three element feed water regulator monitors?
• What is absolute pressure in a system?
• What does hydrogen loss refer to in a boiler?
• What does low CO2 levels indicate in a combustion process?
• During the operation of a steam engine, what role does the heat content of steam play?
• What does a BTU represent?
• What does a reaction turbine utilize to produce rotation?
• Which of the following best describes conduction?
• What is the formula to calculate horsepower for a duplex pump?
• Which of the following compounds is an example of a chloride?
• What is the definition of latent heat?
• What happens to the air flow in a furnace when the pressure increases?
• What is the maximum size for a blowdown pipe?
• How much efficiency can be gained by using an economizer?
• What is the maximum pressure increase allowed during an accumulation test for high-pressure boilers?
• What impact does scaling have on boiler operation?
• How is the heating surface of tubes calculated?
• Why does pressure drop occur in a Curtis stage of a steam turbine?
• What is the primary purpose of performing a conductivity test in boiler water?
• What is electrolysis in the context of a heating system?
• Which of the following is NOT tested for in boiler water?
• When is it necessary to have two main steam stop valves on a boiler?
• Under what condition does a superheater safety valve's relieving capacity count towards the total relieving capacity?
• What is typically used to treat water hardness in a boiler system?
• What is the minimum size required for a blowdown tank discharge line?
• Which part of the boiler system is located closest to the furnace?
• Which method is commonly used to remove non-condensable gases from a condenser?
• How long can a plant operate without a chief engineer?
• What does a dirty condenser lead to in a steam system?
• What is one common type of steam trap used in steam systems?
• What does enthalpy represent in thermodynamics?
• What is the function of steam scrubbers in a steam and water drum?
• What could lead to a sudden increase in heating oil usage?
• What should be done to safety valves during a hydrostatic test?
• In a bomb calorimeter, the fuel is burned in what type of environment?
• What is the primary characteristic of natural draft?
• What happens in the event of high levels of hardness in boiler water?
• How is heat transferred in a boiler?
• What is the immediate action to take in the event of a tube failure in a boiler?
• What is one method to seal a steam turbine?
• When are two blowdown valves required in a boiler?
• During a wet layup, what should the residual level of oxygen scavenger be maintained at?
• Under what conditions could the flashpoint of fuel oil be exceeded?
• How does the presence of excess air affect combustion efficiency?
• Why does it require more fuel to generate steam at high pressures?
• When securing a boiler after usage, when should the feedwater be secured?
• What is the main purpose of continuous blowdown in a boiler system?
• Which of the following is NOT one of the four safety devices on a gas turbine?
• What are the four trip conditions that can occur on a steam turbine?
• What type of heat exchanger is a surface condenser?
• What is the purpose of the Spirax Intelligent Monitoring System (SIMS)?
• At what pressure does water boil at 212 degrees Fahrenheit?
• An example of convection would be:
• What is a Third Class Plant in engineering terms?
• What is caustic embrittlement in relation to boilers?
• Which of the following is a disadvantage of a Curtis Stage?
• What is NH3 an abbreviation for?
• What is meant by critical speed in a steam turbine?
• What is an effective way to prevent cavitation in a pump?
• What typically causes insufficient cooling water in a plant?
• How can you determine if a large turbine is sufficiently warmed up?
• What is the consequence of improper heat transfer in a boiler?
• In a Curtis stage of a steam turbine, what separates the two rows of moving blades?
• What is the result of monitoring conductivity in boiler water?
• How is sensible heat defined?
• Why is sodium sulfite tested for in boiler water?
• What is CO2 an abbreviation for?
• What is the maximum percentage of boiler relieving pressure that may be accounted for by a superheater?
• What is the effect of increased pressure on fuel consumption for steam generation?
• What happens to steam after it passes through the moving blades of an impulse turbine?
• Which type of condenser uses air for cooling?
• What is the primary mechanism of a centrifugal mechanical governor?
• How much water is needed for every boiler horsepower when sizing a boiler feed pump?
• What does excess air refer to in a combustion process?
• What chemical is commonly used as an oxygen scavenger in boiler water?
• What formula is used to find the area of a circle?
• What is the first step in starting a 50hp non-condensing steam turbine?
• What is typically a consequence of hydrogen loss in a boiler system?
• Which component is NOT part of a gas turbine?
• What is the purpose of the first safety valve on a boiler?
• What does the pressure drop across rotating blades indicate in a reaction turbine?
• What is a requirement for the placement of superheater safety valves?
• What phenomenon occurs at the low temperature area of boilers?
• How many BTUs are in one boiler horsepower?
• Which heading is NOT included in the five headings of steam tables?
• What happens to the velocity of steam as it passes through the nozzles of a Curtis stage?
• How does an oil operated oil relay governor function?
• What prevents the buildup of corrosion in economizers and air preheaters?
• What is the primary purpose of a boiler's MAWP?
• What is the primary adjustment made to change the blowdown on a safety valve?
• If a boiler produces 284,000 lbs per hour with a 5% blow down, how many lbs are blown down per hour?
• What are the main components of a gas turbine?
• How is the heating surface of a water tube calculated?
• Which of the following is not a type of non-destructive examination?
• What are the potential harmful effects of sulfur in fuel?
• What should be done if a condenser is found to be dirty?
• What type of energy is characterized by a body's motion?
• Which pressure setting is required for the first safety valve?
• What is erosion?
• What does a change in pH from 10 to 11 indicate about a solution?
• What happens to steam velocity as it passes through moving blades in a turbine?
• What does entropy measure in a thermodynamic system?
• Which type of steam trap is a thermodynamic trap?
• How is boiler horsepower determined?
• What is one advantage of using labyrinth packing in steam turbines?
• What temperature should the boiler water be filled to during a hydrostatic test?
• What is the maximum aggregate boiler horsepower a 3rd engineer can operate with solid fuel?
• What is a huddling chamber used for in a boiler system?
• Which of the following is a sign that a fuel oil heater may be leaking?
• Who is the state inspector for Plymouth County and Cape Cod?
• Under what load conditions does a radiant superheater operate best?
• What does the term stress refer to when applied to metal?
• Which of the following is NOT a reason for losing vacuum in a plant with a surface condenser?
• The term 'loss of water seal in the hotwell' primarily affects which system aspect?
• Which type of turbine has better thermal efficiency?
• How is steam flow typically measured in a pipe?
• Which procedure is recommended to protect a superheater during cold startup?
• When mounting safety valves together, what is a requirement regarding their size?
• What is an example of induced draft?
• What is the definition of pH in terms of water solutions?
• What occurs when you close the discharge on a centrifugal pump?
• Which part of a boiler system is required to fully drain it?
• What is the primary purpose of a thrust bearing?
• Why is it crucial to remove materials that hinder heat transfer in a boiler?
• What does a three-element feedwater regulator monitor?