In the blowdown process, what is the last step to be completed?

The blowdown process is a crucial procedure in boiler operations, designed to remove accumulated impurities and maintain water quality. The last step in this process involves closing the inside (quick) valve.

When performing a blowdown, operators initially ensure that the system is prepared for the process by opening both the inside and outside valves. The inside valve is typically a quick-opening type designed to allow for a rapid release of water and steam, which helps in efficiently flushing out sediment and impurities from the boiler. After the blowdown has been completed and the necessary water has been purged, the final action is to close this inside valve.

Closing the inside valve as the last step ensures that the blowdown is fully terminated before moving on to the next phase of operations, preventing any sudden pressure changes or the risk of water loss that could occur if it were closed prematurely.

Following this step, the outside valve is usually closed afterward to secure the system and ensure that it returns to normal operating conditions without any leaks that might need checking. However, the specific nature of the blowdown procedure makes closing the inside valve the definitive concluding action in that context.