A retractable steam soot blower is cooled by which medium when operating?

The correct choice is steam because a retractable steam soot blower is designed to use steam as its primary operating fluid for cooling and cleaning the flue surfaces. Steam, when injected into the soot blower, serves multiple purposes: it helps to dislodge soot and other deposits that accumulate on the heat transfer surfaces of the boiler. The high energy of the steam contributes to effectively loosening these deposits, promoting better heat transfer and improved efficiency.

Additionally, the steam that is used not only acts as a cleaning medium but also helps in maintaining the temperature of the soot blower components, which is crucial for preventing overheating and ensuring operational reliability. This method leverages the properties of steam, such as its ability to carry a significant amount of thermal energy due to its latent heat, making it an efficient choice for this application.

In contrast, water, flue gases, and air do not provide the same thermal properties or functionality as steam in the context of soot blowing. Water would not effectively dislodge soot without a phase change to steam. Flue gases are typically hot and filled with particulates, making them unsuitable for cooling purposes. Air does not possess the necessary thermal properties to efficiently clean or cool the soot blower. Therefore, steam stands out as the ideal medium