What is one possible effect of inadequate feedwater treatment?

Inadequate feedwater treatment primarily leads to the corrosion of boiler components, which is a significant concern in power engineering. Feedwater is the water that is fed into a boiler to produce steam. When this water is not properly treated to remove impurities, such as dissolved oxygen, minerals, and suspended solids, it can lead to several issues.

Corrosion can occur due to the presence of oxygen and other corrosive agents in the feedwater, which can attack metal surfaces within the boiler. Over time, this corrosion can weaken the structural integrity of components, such as pipes, tubes, and boilers themselves, potentially leading to leaks and failures. Additionally, it can create a rough surface that further accelerates the corrosion cycle. This ultimately compromises the reliability and safety of the boiler operation, leading to increased maintenance costs and potentially catastrophic failures if not managed properly.

Other options, such as increased efficiency of the boiler, reduced fuel consumption, or increased steam output, are not accurate effects of inadequate feedwater treatment. In fact, these conditions would likely deteriorate because corrosion and the accumulation of scale can lead to lower efficiency and output, as the boiler spends more energy compensating for its compromised condition.