Question 48 UFIV02 - Assistant Engineer - UFIV
The thermal fluid heating oil system on your fishing industry factory ship is configured similarly to that shown in the illustration. What system component performs expansion and deaeration functions? Illustration MO- 0198
The Correct Answer is D. **Why option D ("5") is correct:** Component 5 in the illustration typically represents the **expansion tank (or surge tank)** in a thermal fluid heating system. The expansion tank is located at the highest point in the system and is crucial for two primary functions: 1. **Expansion:** As the thermal fluid (heating oil) is heated, its volume increases significantly. The expansion tank provides a free surface and necessary volume to accommodate this thermal expansion, preventing dangerous overpressure in the system. 2. **Deaeration/Venting:** Because the expansion tank is open to the atmosphere (or uses an inert gas blanket) and is located high up, it acts as a collection point for air and vaporized light ends (volatile components) that are released from the heating oil, allowing them to be safely vented from the system (deaeration). **Why the other options are incorrect:** * **Option A ("1"):** Component 1 typically represents the **main heater (thermal fluid boiler)**. Its primary function is to transfer heat to the circulating thermal fluid. It does not perform expansion or deaeration. * **Option B ("2"):** Component 2 typically represents the **circulation pump**. Its primary function is to move the thermal fluid through the heater and the various consumers (e.g., heating coils on the factory ship). It does not perform expansion or deaeration. * **Option C ("4"):** Component 4 typically represents a **consumer unit** (e.g., heat exchanger, steam generator, or process heat user) or potentially a filter/strainer on the return line. Its primary function is to utilize the heat carried by the thermal fluid. It does not perform expansion or deaeration.
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