Plant Operation Practice Test

What equipment may be required on some boilers to remove oxygen and other gases?

1. Feedwater heater

2. Deaerator

3. Condensate tank

4. Steam trap

The correct answer is: Feedwater heater

The piece of equipment specifically used to remove oxygen and other gases from feedwater in boiler systems is a deaerator. A deaerator works by heating the water and creating a steam environment that helps drive off dissolved gases such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds. This process is critical in preventing corrosion and ensuring the efficiency and longevity of boiler operation. Other equipment mentioned may serve different roles within the boiler system. For instance, feedwater heaters boost the temperature of the feedwater before it enters the boiler, improving thermal efficiency, but they do not specifically remove dissolved gases. Condensate tanks are used to store condensed steam for reuse, and steam traps are designed to manage the removal of condensate and air from steam lines without losing steam. However, none of these pieces of equipment are dedicated to the removal of oxygen and other gases in the manner that a deaerator is designed to function.