ME Boiler Operator flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- MAWP
- Maximum allowable working pressure is the highest pressure at the maximum allowable temperature that a boiler or vessel may legally operate, as stamped on its nameplate.
- Fusible plug
- A plug with a low-melting alloy installed at the lowest safe water level; when uncovered by water, it melts and releases steam to warn of low water.
- Safety valve capacity
- The safety valve must relieve at least the boiler's maximum steaming rate at a set pressure no higher than the maximum allowable working pressure.
- Water column
- A chamber connected to the boiler that stills water and holds gauge glass connections so the glass displays the true boiler water level.
- Hydrostatic test
- A pressure test using water, typically 1.5 times maximum allowable working pressure for a new ASME Section I boiler, to reveal leaks and weaknesses.
- Stoichiometric combustion
- Combustion with exactly the theoretical amount of air needed to burn all fuel, producing no excess oxygen and no unburned fuel.
- Excess air
- Air supplied above the theoretical amount; typical settings are about 15–20% for natural gas and 20–30% for fuel oil.
- Furnace purge
- A forced-air period of about 4–5 air changes before ignition that removes combustible gases from the furnace and flue passages.
- Atomization
- Breaking fuel oil into fine droplets so it mixes with air and burns cleanly; pressure, steam, or air atomizing burners perform this.
- Turndown ratio
- The maximum burner firing rate divided by the minimum stable firing rate; it shows how far a burner can reduce output without losing flame.
- Low-water cutoff
- A safety device that shuts off the burner when boiler water falls below the lowest safe level; steam boilers usually require manual reset.
- Flame safeguard
- A programmer and scanner system that proves pilot and main flame, controls purge and trial timing, and locks out fuel on flame failure.
- Gauge glass blowdown
- A procedure that clears the water gauge glass and connections: open drain, close lower and upper valves, then reopen to restore a true level.
- Combustion analyzer
- An instrument that measures oxygen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and stack temperature in flue gas to guide air-fuel tuning.
- High-limit control
- A safety control set above normal operating pressure or temperature that shuts down the burner if the operating control fails.
- Cold boiler startup
- Bring a cold boiler online slowly by checking water level, venting air, purging the furnace, and warming tubes and drums gradually to avoid thermal stress.
- Water hammer
- A shock caused by steam pushing a slug of condensate through piping; drain lines and open valves slowly to prevent it.
- Bottom blowdown
- Blowing water from the lowest point to remove sludge and suspended solids; do it at low firing rate and open the valve slowly.
- Emergency shutdown
- Stop fuel and burner immediately, close the main steam stop, and do not feed water to a boiler that has been overheated or lost water.
- Normal shutdown
- Reduce load, stop the burner, purge the furnace, and keep the boiler under observation with proper water level while it cools gradually.
- Scale
- A hard deposit of calcium and magnesium salts on boiler tubes that insulates metal, raises stack temperature, and can cause overheating.
- Dissolved oxygen
- Oxygen in feedwater that causes pitting corrosion; deaeration and an oxygen scavenger are used to remove it.
- Boiler water pH
- A measure of alkalinity; boiler water is typically held near 10.5–12 to limit corrosion, while excessive alkalinity can cause caustic attack.
- TDS
- Total dissolved solids; high TDS causes foaming and carryover, so it is controlled by surface blowdown and monitored by testing.
- Ion-exchange softener
- A vessel that exchanges calcium and magnesium for sodium to remove hardness; brine regeneration restores the resin's exchange capacity.
- Wet layup
- Storing a boiler filled with treated water and an oxygen scavenger to prevent corrosion during an outage.
- Maine boiler program
- Maine's boiler and pressure vessel safety program is administered by the Office of the State Fire Marshal and adopts ASME and National Board codes.
- Certificate of inspection
- A document showing that a boiler or pressure vessel has passed the required inspection; it must be current and posted at the equipment.
- Licensed boiler operator
- A person licensed by the state boiler program to operate boilers that Maine rules classify as requiring a licensed operator.
- Accident reporting
- Explosions, failures, or dangerous conditions must be reported to the boiler inspector, and operation may not resume until released.
- NBIC repairs
- Repairs and alterations to pressure parts must follow the National Board Inspection Code and be documented; uncertified welding is prohibited.
- Operator log
- A record kept by the operator of water level, pressure, temperature, blowdown, tests, and unusual conditions; it documents that required checks were performed.