OH 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.
- Firetube boiler
- A boiler in which hot combustion gases pass through tubes surrounded by water; common for low- to medium-pressure heating and process steam.
- Watertube boiler
- A boiler in which water flows through tubes heated by combustion gases; used for high pressure and large steam capacity.
- Safety valve
- An automatic pressure-relief valve that opens at a set pressure to prevent overpressure; its capacity must equal or exceed the boiler's maximum steaming capacity.
- Staybolt
- A threaded rod tying two flat plates, such as tube sheets, together to support pressure loads; a broken or leaking staybolt is a structural defect.
- Water column
- A fitting connected to the boiler steam and water spaces that mounts the gauge glass, try cocks, and low-water cutoff to show true water level.
- Maximum allowable working pressure
- The highest pressure at which a boiler may operate, set by its weakest component and stamped on the nameplate; safety valves are set at or below this pressure.
- Normal water level
- The water level at the center of the gauge glass, keeping the crown sheet or tubes covered and providing steam space above.
- Low-water fuel cutoff
- A safety device that senses low water and automatically stops fuel firing before the boiler overheats; it must be tested regularly and never bypassed.
- Bottom blowdown
- Opening a valve at the lowest boiler point to discharge sludge and sediment; performed with short, frequent blows while the boiler is under normal load.
- Carryover
- Water droplets or foam carried with steam into the piping, caused by high dissolved solids, alkalinity, oil contamination, or sudden steam demand.
- Water hammer
- A banging shock in steam or water piping caused by trapped condensate or rapid valve movement; drain and trap lines before admitting steam.
- Continuous blowdown
- A controlled flow from the steam drum that removes dissolved solids and controls boiler water chemistry, adjusted from conductivity or TDS tests.
- Stoichiometric air
- The exact amount of air needed to burn a fuel completely with no oxygen left over; practical burners use more than this to ensure complete combustion.
- Excess air
- Air supplied beyond stoichiometric requirements; too little causes carbon monoxide and smoke, too much lowers efficiency by carrying heat up the stack.
- Induced draft
- A fan downstream of the boiler pulls combustion gases through the furnace and keeps furnace pressure slightly negative, preventing hot gas leakage.
- Flame safeguard
- A control system that monitors the flame and closes fuel valves on flame failure, requiring a purge before any restart.
- Boiler horsepower
- A measure of boiler capacity equal to 33,475 Btu per hour, about 9.81 kW, or evaporation of about 34.5 pounds of water per hour.
- Pre-lightoff purge
- Forcing air through the furnace before ignition to remove combustible gases; typically at least four furnace air changes are required.
- Ultrasonic thickness testing
- A nondestructive method using sound waves to measure remaining wall thickness and detect corrosion or erosion in boiler tubes and shells.
- Hydrostatic test
- A pressure test using water at 1.5 times the maximum allowable working pressure with safety valves isolated, checking for leaks and structural integrity.
- Lockout/tagout
- An energy-isolation procedure using locks and tags to prevent accidental startup during maintenance; verify zero energy before work begins.
- Safety valve pop test
- A test that confirms a safety valve opens at its set pressure and reseats properly; performed by qualified personnel with the boiler under pressure.
- Refractory inspection
- Checking furnace walls, baffles, and seals for cracks, spalling, or hot spots that can reduce efficiency and allow hot gases to escape.
- High-pressure limit switch
- A control that stops fuel firing when boiler pressure reaches a set point below the safety valve setting, preventing unnecessary safety-valve lifting.
- Flame failure response
- On loss of flame, the flame safeguard closes fuel valves and locks out the burner; the operator must purge the furnace before restarting.
- Broken gauge glass
- Close the upper and lower gauge-glass valves immediately, then use try cocks to check water level; avoid standing directly in front of the glass.
- Confined space entry
- Entry into a boiler or vessel requires a permit, atmospheric testing, ventilation, an attendant, and a rescue plan before anyone enters.
- Fuel leak emergency
- Stop firing, shut off fuel at the source, ventilate the area, eliminate ignition sources, and evacuate if the leak is large or uncontrollable.
- ASME Section I
- The ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code section covering power boilers; Section IV covers heating boilers. Ohio adopts ASME construction requirements by reference.
- Ohio boiler jurisdiction
- The Ohio Division of Industrial Compliance, Bureau of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Compliance, administers boiler rules, inspections, and inspector certification.
- Operator logbook
- A record of boiler pressure, water level, blowdown, tests, fuel use, and abnormal conditions; it must be kept available for inspection.
- Boiler inspection access
- Operators must provide inspectors access to the boiler, nameplate, fittings, and records, and must not operate equipment under a failed inspection.