Massachusetts 2nd Class Fireman's Practice Exam

What type of boiler generally has a larger water capacity?

1. Fire-tube boiler

2. Water-tube boiler

3. Electric boiler

4. Steam boiler

The correct answer is: Water-tube boiler

A water-tube boiler is designed with water in the tubes and the hot gases surrounding them, which allows for a greater surface area for heat transfer. This design enables water-tube boilers to handle larger water capacities more efficiently compared to other types. In a water-tube boiler, the water is contained in tubes that pass through or near the combustion gases. This allows for rapid steam generation and the capability to produce high-pressure steam. The large water capacity of water-tube boilers makes them suitable for industrial applications where significant amounts of steam are required consistently. In contrast, fire-tube boilers have a smaller water capacity as they rely on the hot gases flowing through tubes that are submerged in water, limiting their capacity. Electric boilers typically have a smaller operational scale and are not designed to hold large quantities of water. While steam boilers can also vary in size, water-tube boilers generally have a more substantial water capacity due to their specific design and operational function.