Question 217Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is B) the fuel oil temperature being too low. Poor atomization and an elongated flame from a steam atomization burner are most likely caused by the fuel oil temperature being too low. The proper atomization of the fuel oil requires it to be heated to the appropriate temperature, typically around 200°F. When the fuel oil temperature is too low, it becomes more viscous and does not atomize properly, leading to the observed poor atomization and elongated flame. The other options are incorrect because: A) Improper operation of traps in the atomizing steam return piping would not directly affect the fuel oil temperature. C) The forced draft fan speed is not directly related to the fuel oil temperature. D) The Cetane number is a measure of the fuel's ignition quality and does not affect the atomization process.