Arkansas Boiler Operator Practice Exam

What is a water injector (feed pump)?

1. A mechanical device for forcing water into a boiler against high pressures

2. A device used to cool the water before it enters the boiler

3. A safety device to prevent overpressure in the boiler

4. A component to measure water quality

The correct answer is: A mechanical device for forcing water into a boiler against high pressures

A water injector, commonly referred to as a feed pump, is specifically designed to deliver water into a boiler system against high pressure. This is crucial in maintaining the proper water level within the boiler, which is essential for efficient operation and to prevent overheating or damage. The feed pump ensures that there is a consistent supply of water available to convert into steam or to be heated, significantly impacting the boiler's performance and safety. In contrast, while cooling water before it enters the boiler might seem beneficial in certain contexts, this is not the function of a feed pump. A safety device to prevent overpressure relates to pressure relief valves or similar mechanisms, which serve to maintain safe operating conditions but do not pertain to the introduction of water into the system. Lastly, measuring water quality is typically the role of sensors or analyzers, not the feed pump, which focuses solely on the delivery of water into the boiler. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify the specific role of a feed pump in boiler operations.