New York Low Pressure Boiler Certificate of Fitness (COF) Practice Test

What happens shortly after the burner starts in the combustion chamber?

1. The temperature drops

2. The walls turn cherry red

3. The fuel evaporates

4. The fan turns off

The correct answer is: The walls turn cherry red

When the burner starts in the combustion chamber, the walls may indeed turn cherry red due to the intense heat generated by the combustion process. This red color indicates that the metal is being heated to a high temperature, which is typical behavior in a properly functioning combustion chamber. As the burner ignites and the fuel begins to combust, substantial heat is released, and the temperature can rapidly rise to the point where the walls of the chamber emit a reddish glow. The other options reflect scenarios that do not typically occur immediately after burner ignition. For instance, a drop in temperature would contradict the expected outcome of combustion; instead, the temperature rises significantly. Similarly, while fuel evaporation is a crucial part of the combustion process, this typically occurs before combustion starts as the liquid fuel is prepared for ignition. Finally, the fan is essential for providing airflow to support the combustion process, so it would not turn off right after the burner starts; in fact, it usually operates to ensure that there is sufficient supply of air for the flames.