U.S. Coast Guard MMC QMED Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

The normal discharge location for high-pressure steam drains is the distillation (DC) heater. The DC heater is designed to utilize waste steam and heat from the system, which helps improve the efficiency of the heating process in the boiler. By directing high-pressure steam drains to the DC heater, the steam can be condensed and its energy captured, which can then be reused to heat the boiler feedwater. This process not only helps maintain system efficiency but also contributes to overall operational effectiveness by reducing waste steam that would otherwise be released into the environment.

In contrast, directing high-pressure steam drains to other options, such as a cooling tower or boiler feedwater system, may not be appropriate because these systems are not designed to handle high-pressure steam directly in a way that would optimize efficiency or energy recovery. A wastewater tank could be considered for some effluents, but it does not utilize the high-temperature steam effectively as a distillation heater would. Hence, the DC heater serves a specific function in managing high-pressure steam drains effectively.