Question 78Steam Plants - Assistant Engineer

70% to pass

Excessive alkalinity of boiler water will cause _______________.

Acaustic embrittlement
Bscale formation
Csodium sulfite reacting with dissolved oxygen
Dcalcium carbonate precipitation
AI Explanation

The correct answer is A) caustic embrittlement. Excessive alkalinity (high pH) in boiler water can lead to caustic embrittlement, which is the weakening and cracking of metal components in the boiler system. This is caused by the buildup of sodium hydroxide or other alkaline compounds that penetrate the metal and make it brittle over time. The other options are incorrect because: B) scale formation is caused by mineral deposits, not alkalinity; C) sodium sulfite reacting with dissolved oxygen is not related to alkalinity; and D) calcium carbonate precipitation is caused by hardness, not alkalinity.

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