Oilers/Plant Tenders (HHC) Civil Service Practice Exam

Why should strainers in an oil service system be of duplex design?

1. To enhance the pressure of oil flow

2. To clean the oil more effectively

3. To avoid interruption in oil flow during cleaning

4. To allow for higher capacity

The correct answer is: To avoid interruption in oil flow during cleaning

Duplex strainers are designed to facilitate continuous operation in oil service systems, allowing for maintenance and cleaning without disrupting the flow of oil. This design typically consists of two strainer elements that operate in parallel. While one element is in service, the other can be taken offline for cleaning or maintenance. This feature prevents interruptions in the system, ensuring that the oil flow remains steady and that the machinery continues to operate efficiently without downtime. The other choices, while they may touch on related topics, do not capture the primary advantage of the duplex design. For instance, enhancing oil flow pressure or increasing capacity could be benefits of some designs, but they do not address the core function of maintaining uninterrupted service during maintenance. Similarly, while cleaning effectiveness is important, the duplex design’s standout feature is its ability to keep the flow continuous during such processes. Thus, the focus on uninterrupted operation highlights the critical operational advantage of duplex strainers in oil service systems.