Plant Operation Practice Test

What type of boiler allows heat and gases of combustion to pass through tubes surrounded by water?

1. Fire Tube

2. Water Tube

3. Electric

4. Horizontal

The correct answer is: Fire Tube

The type of boiler that allows heat and gases of combustion to pass through tubes surrounded by water is a fire tube boiler. In this design, the combustion gases pass through tubes that are encased in water. As the hot gases flow through the tubes, they transfer heat to the water surrounding them, thereby heating the water and converting it into steam. This method of heat transfer is effective because it maximizes the surface area available for heat exchange between the hot gases and the water. Fire tube boilers are often simpler in construction and are generally used for lower-pressure applications. They are capable of producing steam quickly and are commonly used in various industries for heating processes, generating power, and providing steam for sanitation. In contrast, water tube boilers operate on a different principle, where water circulates through tubes heated by combustion gases, allowing these boilers to handle higher pressures and produce steam more rapidly. Other options like electric boilers generate heat through electric elements rather than combustion, while horizontal refers to the orientation of the boiler rather than its method of operation.