Question 646Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is B) the associated large pressure drop across the filter. Lube oil filters in large lube oil systems can experience a significant pressure drop as the oil flows through them, especially as the filter becomes clogged over time. This large pressure drop can restrict the flow of oil through the system, which is a limiting factor in their use for large lube oil systems. The other answer choices are not as relevant - fluctuating oil temperature does not directly limit the use of filters, filters do not typically rupture at normal working pressures, and the need for centrifugal separation is a separate issue from the use of filters.