Question 381Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is A) sputtering of the fires. When water is present in the fuel supply to a steaming boiler, it can cause the fires to sputter and burn unevenly. This is because water and fuel do not mix well, and the presence of water disrupts the proper combustion process in the boiler. The sputtering of the fires is a clear indication that there is an issue with the fuel supply, which could be caused by water contamination. The other options are incorrect because they do not directly relate to the detection of water in the fuel supply. Option B) observation of the fuel oil heater drains may indicate water in the fuel, but it is not a direct method of detection. Options C) panting of the casing and D) dense white smoke being observed in the periscope are not reliable indicators of water in the fuel supply.