Massachusetts Journeyman Pipefitter Practice Exam

A Flash Tank is designed to efficiently recover both steam and condensate from a system. When condensate (the liquid form of steam) enters the flash tank under pressure, the pressure drop within the tank allows a portion of the condensate to vaporize or "flash" into steam. This process not only recovers the latent heat of evaporation but also increases the overall efficiency of the heating system. By capturing both forms of energy—steam and condensate—the flash tank ensures that valuable resources are not wasted and can be reused within the system. The recovery of steam and condensate is critical for maintaining energy efficiency and reducing operational costs in steam systems.

The other options don't fully capture the primary function of a flash tank. For instance, while some applications may involve water recovery or pressure reduction, the core capability of a flash tank is its dual recovery of steam and condensate.