Equipment Maintenance & Operations Flashcards
7 cards from real CPA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Equipment Maintenance & Operations flashcards as text
What is the MAIN reason for using a strainer upstream of a control valve or pump?
Answer: To remove solid particles that could damage the equipment
Strainers catch debris and solid particles before they can damage trim, seats, impellers, or seals in downstream equipment.
In a petroleum facility, a 'dead leg' in a piping system refers to:
Answer: A section of pipe with no flow that can accumulate stagnant fluid or cause corrosion
Dead legs are stagnant sections of piping where fluid doesn't flow, making them prone to corrosion, biological growth, and contamination.
Which maintenance strategy involves continuously monitoring equipment condition using vibration, temperature, and oil analysis to predict failures?
Answer: Predictive maintenance
Predictive maintenance uses real-time condition monitoring data to anticipate equipment failures before they occur, optimizing maintenance timing.
When storing a pump that has been taken out of service for an extended period, what is a key preservation step?
Answer: Rotate the shaft periodically and apply preservation oil to internal surfaces
Periodic shaft rotation prevents bearing brinelling and flat-spotting, while preservation oil protects internal surfaces from corrosion during storage.
A flow meter reads significantly lower than expected even though the pump discharge pressure is normal. The MOST likely cause is:
Answer: Partially closed isolation valve upstream of the meter or meter fouling
A partially closed valve or fouled meter element reduces measured flow without affecting pump discharge pressure, pointing away from the pump as the cause.
What does the 'API 610' standard primarily govern in the petroleum industry?
Answer: Design and testing of centrifugal pumps for petroleum service
API 610 is the American Petroleum Institute standard that specifies design, materials, fabrication, and testing requirements for centrifugal pumps used in petroleum service.
During a hot work permit inspection near petroleum equipment, the atmosphere should be tested and confirmed below what percentage of the Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) before work begins?
Answer: 25% LEL
Most safety standards and hot work permits require the atmosphere to be below 25% of the LEL to provide a safe margin before ignition sources are introduced.