Study for the Minnesota Boiler License Exam. Deepen your knowledge with expertly designed flashcards and multiple choice questions, each complete with helpful hints and detailed explanations. Get prepared for your licensing success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Which property of water increases the risk of boiler scale formation?

  1. Temperature

  2. Mineral content

  3. Pressure

  4. pH level

The correct answer is: Mineral content

The mineral content of water is a significant property that influences the risk of boiler scale formation. When water contains high levels of dissolved minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, it can lead to the precipitation of these substances as the water is heated in a boiler. As the temperature rises, the solubility of these minerals decreases, causing them to form solid deposits or scale on the internal surfaces of the boiler. This build-up can hinder heat transfer, reduce boiler efficiency, and potentially lead to overheating and damage. While temperature, pressure, and pH level can all influence boiler operations and may play roles in the behavior of water in a boiler system, it is the mineral content that directly correlates to the potential for scale formation. High mineral content is the primary factor that necessitates water treatment processes, like softening or demineralization, to control the risk of scale and maintain operational efficiency.