Practice Exam 200 Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed
Explanations Based on ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, NBIC,
and City of New Orleans Requirements
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SECTION 1: BOILER TYPES AND COMPONENTS
Questions 1-25
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Question 1
What is the primary difference between a fire-tube boiler and a water-tube boiler?
A. Fire-tube boilers have water inside tubes; water-tube boilers have fire inside tubes
B. Fire-tube boilers have fire inside tubes; water-tube boilers have water inside tubes
C. There is no difference
D. Fire-tube boilers are used for steam only; water-tube for hot water only
Answer: B. Fire-tube boilers have fire inside tubes; water-tube boilers have water inside tubes
Rationale: In fire-tube boilers, hot combustion gases pass through tubes surrounded by water.
In water-tube boilers, water passes through tubes surrounded by hot gases .
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,Question 2
What is the function of a steam drum in a boiler?
A. Store feedwater
B. Separate steam from water
C. Collect sediment
D. Regulate pressure
Answer: B. Separate steam from water
Rationale: The steam drum provides space for steam to separate from water before leaving the
boiler .
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Question 3
What is the purpose of a mud drum in a boiler?
A. Collect sediment and scale
B. Store water
C. Produce steam
D. Regulate pressure
Answer: A. Collect sediment and scale
,Rationale: The mud drum collects sediment and impurities that settle out of the boiler water .
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Question 4
What is the function of a superheater?
A. Increase steam temperature above saturation
B. Increase steam pressure
C. Remove moisture from steam
D. Heat feedwater
Answer: A. Increase steam temperature above saturation
Rationale: A superheater raises steam temperature above its saturation point, improving
efficiency and reducing condensation in piping .
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Question 5
What is the function of an economizer?
A. Preheat feedwater using flue gases
B. Superheat steam
C. Remove moisture
D. Regulate pressure
, Answer: A. Preheat feedwater using flue gases
Rationale: Economizers recover heat from flue gases to preheat feedwater, improving boiler
efficiency .
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Question 6
What is the function of an air preheater?
A. Preheat combustion air using flue gases
B. Preheat feedwater
C. Superheat steam
D. Remove moisture
Answer: A. Preheat combustion air using flue gases
Rationale: Air preheaters recover heat from flue gases to warm incoming combustion air,
improving efficiency .
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Question 7
What is the purpose of a deaerator?
A. Remove dissolved gases from feedwater