Question 157Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is D) Shift pump suction to an alternate settling tank. When water is found in the fuel oil settling tank, the first action should be to shift the pump suction to an alternate settling tank. This allows the engine to continue operating while the extent of the water contamination is determined and the problem is addressed. Shifting to an alternate tank isolates the issue and prevents the contaminated fuel from being drawn into the engine. The other options, while potentially useful later in the process, are not the appropriate first step. Shifting to an alternate pump (A) or determining the extent of contamination (B) should only be done after the contaminated tank has been isolated. Sounding the tank with water paste (C) is also not the first action, as it does not directly address the immediate concern of preventing the contaminated fuel from reaching the engine.