Question 389Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is A) excessive gland sealing steam. A cloudy or milky appearance in a lube oil sample can be caused by excessive gland sealing steam entering the lubricating oil system. The steam can emulsify with the oil, creating a cloudy or milky appearance. This is an indication that there may be an issue with the gland packing or seals, allowing excessive steam to enter the lubrication system. The other answer choices are incorrect because insufficient cooling water (option C) would cause the oil to overheat and potentially appear discolored, while excessive cooling water (option B) or insufficient gland sealing steam (option D) would not directly lead to a cloudy or milky appearance in the lube oil sample.