Certified Energy Auditor Practice Exam

Which is NOT a benefit of performing flue gas analysis on boilers?

1. Identifying gas leaks

2. Optimizing combustion efficiency

3. Evaluating particulate emissions

4. Reducing fuel consumption

The correct answer is: Identifying gas leaks

Performing flue gas analysis on boilers serves multiple important purposes, primarily related to combustion efficiency and emissions management. This analysis involves measuring the components of exhaust gases, which can provide critical insights into the operational efficiency of the boiler. Optimizing combustion efficiency is vital for ensuring that the boiler operates at peak performance, which contributes to effective energy utilization and operational cost savings. Additionally, evaluating particulate emissions is crucial for compliance with environmental regulations and understanding the impact of the boiler's operation on air quality. Lastly, reducing fuel consumption is a key benefit derived from optimizing combustion efficiency, as better combustion leads to less fuel waste. While identifying gas leaks is important in maintaining safety and boiler performance, it is not a direct focus or benefit of flue gas analysis. Flue gas analysis mainly targets the efficiency of the combustion process and emissions rather than detecting physical leaks of gas within the system. Therefore, gas leak detection falls into a different category of maintenance practices rather than the benefits directly associated with flue gas analysis.