Question 173Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is A) pumpability of the oil. The minimum temperature requirements for fuel oil in storage tanks are primarily related to the pumpability of the oil. Fuel oil needs to be kept at a temperature high enough to maintain its fluidity and ensure it can be easily pumped and transferred as needed. If the oil temperature drops too low, it can become thick and viscous, making it difficult to pump. Maintaining the proper temperature is crucial for the safe and efficient handling of the fuel oil. The other answer choices are not directly relevant to the minimum temperature requirements. The size of the containment area (B) and the size of the vents (D) are more related to other safety and regulatory considerations for the storage tanks, but not the specific temperature requirements. The fire point of the oil (C) is a separate characteristic that determines the temperature at which the oil will ignite, but this is not the primary factor driving the minimum temperature requirements.