🔍 Key Concepts

• Water wall header drains purpose and normal use • Difference between blow down vs. simple draining/venting • Boiler operating conditions that are safe vs. unsafe for opening drains

💭 Think About

• Think about what happens inside the furnace and steam drum pressure/flow if you open water wall header drains under each listed condition. • Which choice describes a condition where using these drains is part of normal control/maintenance of boiler water quality, not an emergency action? • For each option, ask: would opening these drains suddenly change circulation or expose tubes/furnace surfaces in a dangerous way?

✅ Before You Answer

• For each option, decide if steam is being generated or not, and how that affects circulation and tube cooling. • Ask whether water wall header drains are intended for routine blowdown or for emergency low-water / rapid drainage situations. • Verify in your notes which condition is associated with controlling carryover or water quality in high-pressure boilers.