🔍 Key Concepts

• D.C. heater (de-aerating and distilling or deaerating feedwater heater) function in a steam plant and why maintaining proper water level is critical • Relationship between D.C. heater level, condenser hotwell level, and makeup feed tank in a steam cycle • Consequences of low D.C. heater level on feed pumps and boiler operation (e.g., loss of suction, introduction of air, overheating)

💭 Think About

• If the D.C. heater level is dropping below normal, what could that tell you about where the water is going or coming from in the feed system? • Which choice involves both correcting the symptom (low level) and investigating the possible cause, instead of just reacting to the symptom or ignoring it? • What could happen to the boilers and feed pumps if you ignore a persistently low D.C. heater level while underway?

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which option involves both restoring level and checking related system levels (condenser and makeup tank) rather than just a single quick action. • Eliminate any option that would be an overreaction (risking loss of propulsion without diagnosis) or an underreaction (ignoring a potential loss of inventory in the feed system). • Ask yourself which answer reflects good engineering watchstanding practice: correct the immediate condition, then immediately look for system-wide causes.