An accumulation test is primarily used to determine what aspect of a boiler system?

The accumulation test is specifically designed to evaluate the capacity of safety valves in a boiler system. This test involves artificially increasing the pressure within the boiler and observing how the safety valves respond when they reach their set pressure.

The purpose of this test is to ensure that the safety valves open at the designated set pressure to relieve excess pressure in the system and prevent catastrophic failures. During this test, if the safety valves function as intended and open at the correct pressure, it confirms that they are capable of handling the maximum pressure conditions that the boiler may encounter in operation.

Understanding the capacity and proper functioning of safety valves is crucial for maintaining boiler safety, as these valves are the primary mechanism for pressure relief. If they fail to operate correctly, this could lead to dangerous overpressure situations that may damage the boiler and pose risks to personnel and equipment.