Boilers and Pressure Vessels MCQs 2026

51 questions with detailed answers · 16 from past papers · 6 quiz batches available

📚 Mechanical Engineering 📄 16 Past-Paper Qs ✓ Free · No Login Needed
🎯 Mock Test

Read each question, think about the answer, then click Show Answer to reveal the correct option and explanation. Load 10 at a time so it stays manageable — perfect for one-topic study sessions on the bus or during a break.

Page 1 of 1 Questions 110 of 51
  1. Q1 medium

    Combustion control maintains

    1. A only maximum air always wasteful
    2. B zero oxygen in flue always
    3. C fuel-air ratio for safe efficient firing
    4. D only manual coal shovel rate without feedback
    💡 Explanation:

    O₂ trim optimizes excess air.

  2. Q2 medium

    Stack temperature indicates

    1. A only wind speed
    2. B heat lost with flue gases; lower improves efficiency if not condensing limit
    3. C only coal particle size only
    4. D only feed pump power only
    💡 Explanation:

    High stack temp means wasted sensible heat.

  3. Q3 hard

    Boiler efficiency on HHV basis accounts for

    1. A latent heat in water vapour from combustion in flue gas
    2. B only sensible heat ignoring vapour
    3. C only radiation to sky at night only
    4. D only ash mass
    💡 Explanation:

    Higher heating value includes condensing steam in products.

  4. Q4 medium

    Dissolved oxygen in feedwater causes

    1. A pitting corrosion of steel boiler components
    2. B protective oxide always beneficial unlimited
    3. C higher steam purity always
    4. D automatic descaling
    💡 Explanation:

    Deaeration and oxygen scavengers used.

  5. Q5 hard

    Phosphate treatment in boiler water maintains

    1. A acidic corrosion promotion deliberately
    2. B alkaline pH and sequesters hardness
    3. C only oil emulsion
    4. D only chlorine gas injection always
    💡 Explanation:

    Internal treatment for scale control.

  6. Q6 medium

    Carryover of solids with steam can cause

    1. A improved turbine efficiency always
    2. B zero maintenance need
    3. C turbine blade deposits and erosion
    4. D better lubrication of bearings
    💡 Explanation:

    Silica and sodium salts damage turbines.

  7. Q7 hard

    Differential pressure across boiler circulation loop drives

    1. A only electromagnetic radiation
    2. B only acoustic resonance
    3. C only colour change
    4. D natural or assisted water circulation
    💡 Explanation:

    Density and height difference between riser and downcomer.

  8. Q8 easy

    Package boiler is

    1. A only field-erected utility boiler always
    2. B only domestic kitchen kettle
    3. C only hydraulic power pack
    4. D factory-assembled unit shipped ready for site connection
    💡 Explanation:

    Compact oil/gas fired units for industry.

  9. Q9 medium

    Waste heat boiler recovers heat from

    1. A only solar PV panels
    2. B only wind kinetic energy directly
    3. C exhaust gases of process or engines without separate furnace
    4. D only hydro penstock
    💡 Explanation:

    Cogeneration and process integration.

  10. Q10 medium

    Fluidized bed combustion boiler burns fuel in

    1. A only stagnant pile without air
    2. B bed of hot particles suspended by upward air flow
    3. C only pure oxygen without fuel
    4. D only water mist
    💡 Explanation:

    Lower NOx and fuel flexibility.

  11. Q11 medium

    Soot blower in boiler cleans

    1. A heat transfer surfaces of ash deposits in flue gas path
    2. B only feedwater resin bed
    3. C only turbine blades in condenser
    4. D only lubricating oil filter
    💡 Explanation:

    Maintains heat transfer coefficient.

  12. Q12 easy

    Manhole on boiler drum allows

    1. A internal inspection and maintenance access
    2. B only steam outlet to turbine
    3. C only fuel injection
    4. D only continuous blowdown line only
    💡 Explanation:

    Sealed hatch for personnel entry.

  13. Q13 hard

    Heat exchanger classified as pressure vessel when

    1. A only if painted blue
    2. B only if vertical orientation
    3. C shell or tubes exceed pressure limits per code
    4. D never in any service
    💡 Explanation:

    TEMA and ASME apply to many exchangers.

  14. Q14 medium

    Vacuum breaker on vessel prevents

    1. A only overpressure burst
    2. B only excess temperature
    3. C only noise
    4. D collapse due to internal vacuum during cooling or pump-out
    💡 Explanation:

    Admits air when pressure below atmospheric.

  15. Q15 medium

    Rupture disc provides

    1. A only slow adjustable control
    2. B only flow regulation throttling always
    3. C only vacuum support only without burst
    4. D non-reclosing overpressure relief for rapid excursion
    💡 Explanation:

    Used with relief valve or alone per API 521.

  16. Q16 easy

    Relief valve on pressure vessel protects against

    1. A only underpressure vacuum collapse always without valve
    2. B only mechanical vibration
    3. C overpressure from process upset or thermal expansion
    4. D only misalignment of flanges cosmetic
    💡 Explanation:

    Spring-loaded or pilot-operated relief.

  17. Q17 medium

    Corrosion allowance in vessel thickness adds

    1. A only decorative coating thickness marketing
    2. B extra material for expected metal loss over life
    3. C zero always by code mandate
    4. D only insulation thickness as metal
    💡 Explanation:

    Typical 1–3 mm or more depending on service.

  18. Q18 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Non-destructive testing of pressure welds commonly uses

    1. A radiography and ultrasonic examination
    2. B only colour vision test of operator
    3. C only hammer sound on wood
    4. D only weighing vessel empty
    💡 Explanation:

    Code-required examination for critical joints.

  19. Q19 hard

    Weld joint efficiency in pressure vessel accounts for

    1. A reduced strength due to welding compared to seamless
    2. B only paint colour
    3. C only surface roughness aesthetic
    4. D only shipping weight
    💡 Explanation:

    Efficiency factor < 1 in thickness calculation.

  20. Q20 medium

    Factor of safety on pressure vessel design uses

    1. A only aesthetic margin
    2. B allowable stress below material yield or ultimate per code
    3. C only paint thickness
    4. D only bolt count decorative
    💡 Explanation:

    ASME VIII Div 1/2 allowable stress design.

  21. Q21 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Thin cylinder hoop stress formula is

    1. A σ = p t / r inverted
    2. B σ = p r² only without t
    3. C σ = zero always
    4. D σ = p r / t
    💡 Explanation:

    Circumferential stress in thin-wall theory.

  22. Q22 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Pressure vessel is

    1. A only open water tank without lid
    2. B only conveyor belt
    3. C only gear coupling
    4. D container designed to hold gas or liquid at pressure substantially different from ambient
    💡 Explanation:

    Storage tanks, reactors, heat exchangers.

  23. Q23 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Hydrostatic test of boiler is performed at

    1. A zero pressure vacuum only
    2. B atmospheric only without water
    3. C pressure above design per code (e.g. 1.5 times design)
    4. D only during full power generation
    💡 Explanation:

    Wet proof test checks strength and leaks.

  24. Q24 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Indian Boiler Regulations (IBR) and ASME codes govern

    1. A only textile weaving patterns
    2. B design, fabrication and inspection of boilers in respective jurisdictions
    3. C only road traffic signals
    4. D only computer software licensing only
    💡 Explanation:

    Pakistan follows boiler safety standards in industry.

  25. Q25 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Excess air in combustion should be

    1. A enough for complete combustion but minimized for efficiency
    2. B infinite always
    3. C zero always without stoichiometric balance
    4. D only measured by boiler colour alone
    💡 Explanation:

    Too much air carries heat up stack.

  26. Q26 hard

    Boiler turndown ratio is

    1. A ratio of maximum to minimum stable firing rate
    2. B only stack height to width
    3. C only tube count to drum diameter only
    4. D only ash fusion temperature
    💡 Explanation:

    Higher turndown allows flexible operation.

  27. Q27 medium

    Maximum continuous rating (MCR) of boiler is

    1. A minimum turndown only
    2. B maximum sustained steam output under design conditions
    3. C cold startup rate only
    4. D blowdown volume only
    💡 Explanation:

    Design full-load capacity.

  28. Q28 medium

    Two or more safety valves on boiler provide

    1. A only decorative appearance
    2. B only flow measurement
    3. C only feedwater heating
    4. D redundancy and capacity per code requirements
    💡 Explanation:

    ASME/IBR require adequate relieving capacity.

  29. Q29 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Safety valve on boiler is set to relieve at

    1. A zero pressure always
    2. B vacuum only
    3. C only after catastrophic rupture without opening
    4. D maximum allowable working pressure (plus margin per code)
    💡 Explanation:

    Last resort overpressure protection.

  30. Q30 medium

    Foaming in boiler water leads to

    1. A higher purity steam always
    2. B zero dissolved solids
    3. C wet steam and possible damage to superheater and turbine
    4. D automatic efficiency gain
    💡 Explanation:

    Alkalinity and organics can cause stable foam.

  31. Q31 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Boiler feedwater treatment aims to prevent

    1. A scale, corrosion and carryover
    2. B only increasing dissolved oxygen always
    3. C only colour of flame green always
    4. D only noise in turbine
    💡 Explanation:

    Softening, deaeration and chemical dosing.

  32. Q32 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Blowdown in boiler removes

    1. A only flue ash from stack
    2. B concentrated dissolved solids from drum water
    3. C only lubricating oil from bearings
    4. D only compressed air moisture trap water only
    💡 Explanation:

    Controls TDS to prevent scale and carryover.

  33. Q33 medium

    Forced circulation boiler uses

    1. A only gravity without any pump always
    2. B only steam jet ejector for combustion
    3. C pumps to ensure adequate water flow through tubes
    4. D only manual bucket feed
    💡 Explanation:

    Needed when natural circulation insufficient.

  34. Q34 medium

    Natural circulation boiler relies on

    1. A only forced pump without density head ever
    2. B only compressed air lift
    3. C only electromagnetic pump
    4. D density difference between downcomer and riser
    💡 Explanation:

    Thermosiphon effect drives flow.

  35. Q35 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Boiler drum (steam drum) serves to

    1. A only store fuel oil
    2. B only filter feedwater chemically without separation
    3. C only measure stack opacity
    4. D separate steam from water and provide circulation head
    💡 Explanation:

    Three-function: separate, store, circulate.

  36. Q36 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Reheater in power boiler

    1. A condenses steam to water only
    2. B only heats feedwater
    3. C reheats steam between turbine stages
    4. D only cools flue gas
    💡 Explanation:

    Raises cycle efficiency and reduces moisture at LP turbine.

  37. Q37 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Superheater adds

    1. A latent heat at constant pressure saturation only
    2. B sensible heat to steam above saturation temperature
    3. C water subcooling only
    4. D only compressed air
    💡 Explanation:

    Dry superheated steam reduces turbine moisture erosion.

  38. Q38 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Economiser in boiler heats

    1. A feedwater using flue gas waste heat before entering drum
    2. B only combustion air leaving stack directly
    3. C only steam after turbine
    4. D only cooling tower water
    💡 Explanation:

    Improves efficiency recovering sensible heat.

  39. Q39 medium

    Locomotive boiler is

    1. A only nuclear pressurizer
    2. B horizontal fire tube boiler with smokebox and firebox
    3. C only refrigeration evaporator
    4. D only hydraulic intensifier
    💡 Explanation:

    Railway steam engine historical design.

  40. Q40 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS medium

    Babcock and Wilcox boiler is

    1. A vertical fire tube domestic only
    2. B only once-through supercritical without drums always
    3. C only hydraulic pump
    4. D water tube boiler with inclined tubes and chain grate or pulverized firing
    💡 Explanation:

    Classic utility boiler design.

  41. Q41 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    Water tube boiler has

    1. A only fire through large diameter tubes in water pool exclusively always
    2. B no steam generation
    3. C water and steam flowing inside tubes heated externally by gases
    4. D only condenser function
    💡 Explanation:

    High pressure capability; used in power plants.

  42. Q42 Past Paper · PPSC/FPSC/NTS easy

    A boiler is a closed vessel in which

    1. A water or other fluid is heated under pressure to generate steam
    2. B only air is compressed for tyres only
    3. C only fuel is burned without heat transfer purpose
    4. D only water is stored at atmospheric pressure only
    💡 Explanation:

    Boilers supply thermal energy for power and process.

  43. Q43 medium

    Retention time in steam drum allows

    1. A only fuel combustion
    2. B only ash fusion
    3. C only compressed air storage
    4. D water droplets to separate from steam by gravity and internals
    💡 Explanation:

    Chevron separators and drum size matter.

  44. Q44 medium

    Boiler cold startup requires

    1. A instant full firing always
    2. B zero ventilation
    3. C controlled heating rates to avoid thermal shock and uneven expansion
    4. D immediate full load on turbine
    💡 Explanation:

    Warm-up curves limit drum and tube stress.

  45. Q45 hard

    Dissimilar metal welds in boilers need attention to

    1. A only aesthetic bead profile
    2. B thermal expansion mismatch and galvanic corrosion
    3. C only shortest weld length always weakest
    4. D only lowest cost filler always without spec
    💡 Explanation:

    Transition pieces or compatible fillers.

  46. Q46 hard

    Creep in boiler tubes at high temperature requires

    1. A material selection and wall thickness for long-term rupture strength
    2. B only room temperature tensile test data alone
    3. C only paint coating
    4. D only shorter diameter only without stress
    💡 Explanation:

    Creep rupture data for superheater/reheater alloys.

  47. Q47 hard

    Accumulation test of safety valves verifies

    1. A valves lift and relieve at set pressure without undue delay
    2. B only colour of valve paint
    3. C only weight of valve cap
    4. D only serial number font
    💡 Explanation:

    Performance test during commissioning.

  48. Q48 medium

    Inspection of boiler in Pakistan typically involves

    1. A only self-certification without records always
    2. B regulatory authority and certified inspector per safety rules
    3. C only painting colour check
    4. D only operator verbal report
    💡 Explanation:

    Boiler inspection departments enforce safety.

  49. Q49 easy

    Pakistan industrial boilers commonly use fuels such as

    1. A only liquid nitrogen
    2. B only helium
    3. C natural gas, furnace oil, coal and bagasse
    4. D only distilled water as fuel
    💡 Explanation:

    Local industry uses gas, FO, coal per availability.

  50. Q50 hard

    Shrink and swell phenomenon in drum level during load change is due to

    1. A only gauge glass leak
    2. B only chemical dosing colour
    3. C only soot deposit
    4. D bubble volume change in risers under pressure change
    💡 Explanation:

    Level may move opposite to feed imbalance temporarily.

  51. Q51 hard

    Three-element drum level control uses

    1. A only colour of flame
    2. B only ambient humidity office
    3. C only coal pile height visual
    4. D steam flow, feedwater flow and drum level
    💡 Explanation:

    Feedforward plus feedback prevents shrink-swell errors.