Plant Operation Practice Test

Deaeration is the specific process used for the removal of impurities and dissolved gases, particularly oxygen, from feedwater. This step is crucial in steam generation and other industrial systems because the presence of oxygen can lead to corrosion in piping and equipment, which ultimately reduces efficiency and lifespan. By effectively removing these impurities, deaeration helps ensure that the water quality meets the specifications needed for optimal plant operation. Filtration, while it does remove solid impurities from water, does not specifically address the removal of dissolved gases like oxygen. Softening primarily targets the removal of hardness ions, such as calcium and magnesium, which does not encompass the broader need to remove dissolved gases. Purification is a general term that can refer to various processes aimed at improving water quality, and it does not specifically denote the removal of oxygen or impurities. Thus, deaeration is the precise term that describes the removal process essential for maintaining water quality in various plant operations.