Oilers/Plant Tenders (HHC) Civil Service Practice Exam

What can occur if the oil does not reach the appropriate temperature in a DeLaval Purifier?

1. Increased viscosity

2. Ineffective separation

3. Higher energy consumption

4. Faster purification

The correct answer is: Ineffective separation

The reason ineffective separation is the correct answer is that in a DeLaval Purifier, the temperature of the oil is critical for achieving optimal performance. The purifier operates by utilizing centrifugal force to separate contaminants from the oil. If the oil does not reach the appropriate temperature, its viscosity remains higher than desirable, which affects its ability to flow through the purifier efficiently. This higher viscosity can prevent the formation of well-defined layers of different components, leading to inadequate separation of impurities and water from the oil. When the oil is too cold, the heavier contaminants do not settle properly, and this can result in a less effective purification process. Thus, maintaining the proper temperature is essential to ensure that the oil behaves as expected during the separation process. Increased viscosity can certainly be a consequence of not reaching the appropriate temperature, but it is the ineffective separation that directly impacts the functionality of the purifier and the quality of the output. Higher energy consumption may also be a potential issue due to the strain on the system, but the foremost concern in this context is the impact on the efficiency of the separation process. As for faster purification, that would not be a result of inadequate temperature; purification would, in fact, slow down under those conditions.