What is the purpose of a plant master controller?

The purpose of a plant master controller is to distribute steam production requirements across several boilers. In facilities that utilize multiple boilers, the plant master controller plays a crucial role in optimizing overall steam production efficiency. By assessing the demand based on various factors, it determines how much steam each boiler should generate to effectively meet the needs of the system. This prevents any individual boiler from being overworked while others are underutilized, ensures balanced operation, and enhances the reliability of steam supply. Additionally, the equitable distribution of workloads helps maintain the longevity and performance of the boilers within the plant.

The other options focus on specific aspects of boiler operations, such as maintenance schedules, fuel quality, and ambient temperature monitoring. While these elements are important in the overall management of a steam plant, they do not fulfill the primary function of the plant master controller, which is specifically centered on the coordination of steam production across multiple boilers for optimal efficiency.