🔍 Key Concepts

• Fuel oil heating system purpose (to reduce viscosity for proper atomization and combustion) • Role of the condensate return in a steam heating system for fuel oil heaters • Effect of trapped condensate (water) on heat transfer efficiency in a heater

💭 Think About

• Think about what happens to the heat transfer inside the heater if condensate cannot escape properly. • Consider how fuel viscosity and atomization change when the fuel is not brought up to its designed temperature. • Ask yourself: would blocked condensate returns make the heater hotter than normal, cooler than normal, or less effective at transferring heat to the fuel?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify what condensate is (steam that has given up its heat and turned back into water). • Check how a partially plugged return affects steam flow and heat transfer surface in a heater (water logging vs free steam flow). • Confirm which option best matches the effect of reduced heating efficiency on fuel preparation for combustion.