Which factor could lead to increased fuel consumption in a boiler?

The factor that could lead to increased fuel consumption in a boiler due to low feedwater inlet temperature is grounded in thermodynamics and the efficiency of the heating process. When the temperature of the feedwater is low, the boiler must work harder to raise the temperature of the incoming water before it can be converted into steam. This additional heating requires more fuel to generate the necessary energy to achieve the desired steam temperature and pressure, thus leading to higher fuel consumption.

In contrast, if the feedwater temperature is higher, the boiler requires less energy to heat it further. This results in improved overall efficiency and reduced fuel consumption. The presence of increased total dissolved solids can lead to issues such as scaling and reduced heat transfer efficiency, potentially affecting performance but not in a straightforward manner that directly equates to increased fuel demand like the temperature of the feedwater. Proper pH levels ensure that the boiler operates effectively and minimizes corrosion and scaling; hence, they do not contribute to increased fuel usage.