Question 99Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is D) minimum boiler load. In a steam-assisted fuel oil atomizer, the steam pressure is higher than the oil pressure at minimum boiler load. This is because at low boiler loads, the oil viscosity is higher, requiring more steam pressure to properly atomize the fuel. The higher steam pressure helps overcome the higher fuel viscosity and ensures efficient combustion at low loads. The other options are incorrect because: A) At design boiler load, the steam and oil pressures are balanced to optimize atomization. B) High fuel viscosity would require higher steam pressure, not the reverse. C) Low fuel viscosity would require lower steam pressure, not higher.