Question 747Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

The correct answer is B) Shift over to the standby heater and monitor contaminated drain tank for additional traces of oil. This is the correct action because the presence of oil in the main fuel oil heater steam drain system indicates a potential problem with the fuel oil heating system. Shifting to the standby heater allows the crew to isolate and investigate the issue while maintaining the ability to heat the fuel oil. Monitoring the contaminated drain tank helps identify the source and extent of the oil contamination, which is a critical first step in addressing the problem. The other options are not the best first actions. Option A (changing to diesel fuel) and Option C (shifting to the low fuel oil suction) do not address the root cause of the oil contamination. Option D (bottom blowing the boiler) could potentially worsen the situation by circulating the contaminated fuel oil through the system.