Question 154Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is A) produce a fine, swirling, uniform fuel mist. The sprayer plate in a mechanical atomizing oil burner is designed to break up the fuel into a fine, uniform mist or spray pattern. This allows for better atomization and mixing of the fuel with the air, which is crucial for efficient combustion. The sprayer plate creates a swirling motion in the fuel, further enhancing the atomization process. The other answer choices are incorrect because: B) the atomizing steam does not mix with the fuel in a mechanical atomizing burner, C) the sprayer plate does not completely mix air with the fuel (that happens downstream in the combustion chamber), and D) the sprayer plate does not prevent primary air mixing with the fuel, but rather facilitates it.