To perform an evaporation test for a low water fuel cutoff, what must the boiler operator do?

The evaporation test for a low water fuel cutoff is a critical procedure to ensure the safety and proper functioning of a boiler. During this test, the boiler operator must secure the feedwater supply to the boiler. By stopping the flow of feedwater, the operator can create a controlled environment to observe how the low water cutoff device responds when the water level decreases.

When feedwater is secured, the water level in the boiler will begin to drop due to evaporation and steam production. The low water cutoff is designed to detect when the water level falls to a predetermined low point, at which it should automatically shut off the fuel supply to prevent overheating and potential damage to the boiler. This test validates the functionality of the safety mechanism, ensuring it operates as intended under conditions that simulate a low water situation.

Performing this test by securing feedwater enables the demonstration of how the low water cutoff reacts to changes in water level, which is essential for maintaining safe boiler operations.