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Industrial Inspection · API 936

API 936 Refractory Personnel Examination Practice Test

API 936 practice questions address refractory lining materials and installation quality in industrial equipment. The subject matter includes selecting compatible brick, mortar, and castable materials; applying linings to different geometries; controlling mixing and placement; and checking installed work for defects that could compromise service performance.

Exam overview

Exam providerAmerican Petroleum Institute Individual Certification Programs
Exam codeAPI 936
CategoryIndustrial Inspection

About the API 936 Refractory Personnel Examination Exam

Refractory personnel must connect material properties with operating conditions and installation requirements. Relevant judgments include assessing abrasion exposure and thermal conductivity, matching mortar to refractory units, and following specified forming or placement methods for curved surfaces. Quality-control work can involve collecting representative samples, checking material identification and lot documentation before use, and maintaining consistent application conditions for gunned material. After installation, personnel may inspect for cracks or other signs of potential lining-integrity loss. Dry-out planning also matters: controlled heating rates help manage moisture removal and reduce thermal stress. These tasks require attention to procedures, material records, installation conditions, and observed lining condition rather than treating refractory products as interchangeable.

Sample Practice Questions

Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.

Question 1

A refractory lining is installed in a vessel with a curved wall. Why should the installer follow the specified forming or placement method for that geometry?

  1. ATo maintain the intended lining profile and avoid poorly supported or uneven regions
  2. BTo make the refractory expand at the same rate as every metal component
  3. CTo eliminate the need for inspection after placement
  4. DTo reduce the material's specified thickness at the wall
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Curved surfaces require appropriate forming, layout, or placement so the lining follows the intended profile and is consistently supported. The specified method helps avoid irregular geometry and local deficiencies.

Question 2

A refractory mortar is specified for laying a particular type of brick. What is the main reason to use the specified mortar rather than an arbitrary substitute?

  1. AThe mortar is selected to provide a compatible bond and joint behavior for the lining system
  2. BAny mortar will produce the same joint properties if applied at the same thickness
  3. CThe mortar determines the shell's alloy composition
  4. DThe mortar makes brick orientation irrelevant
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Mortar selection is part of the lining design and can affect bonding, joint behavior, and compatibility with the brick and service conditions. Substitution should be evaluated and approved rather than assumed equivalent.

Question 3

A refractory material is specified for abrasion resistance in a solids-handling area. Which operating condition is most directly relevant to evaluating that requirement?

  1. AThe severity and pattern of particle impact or sliding wear at the lining surface
  2. BThe color of the vessel's external coating
  3. CThe number of personnel assigned to the installation shift
  4. DThe distance from the vessel to the nearest control room
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Abrasion resistance concerns wear caused by particles moving across or striking the lining. The expected material flow, impact, and wear pattern are central to assessing whether the selected refractory is suitable.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of taking a representative sample during refractory installation quality control?

  1. ATo provide material for testing that reflects the installed batch or placement
  2. BTo prove that every installed area has identical properties
  3. CTo replace inspection of mixing and placement practices
  4. DTo determine the equipment's operating temperature
Show answerCorrect answer: A

A representative sample can be used for specified tests and should reflect the material and batch or placement being evaluated. Sampling does not replace process monitoring or inspection, and the sampling method should minimize bias and follow the applicable procedure.

Question 5

When checking a refractory lining after a thermal cycle, which finding most directly warrants evaluation for possible loss of lining integrity?

  1. AA change in the lining's color that is consistent across the surface
  2. BA loose or displaced section that exposes the underlying backup or shell
  3. CA small amount of surface dust on an otherwise intact face
  4. DA uniform surface texture throughout the inspected area
Show answerCorrect answer: B

A loose or displaced section can indicate a direct loss of lining continuity and may expose components that the refractory is intended to protect. It should be assessed under the applicable inspection and repair criteria.

Question 6

Why can the thermal conductivity of a refractory be important when selecting a lining system?

  1. AIt influences heat transfer through the lining
  2. BIt determines the refractory's chemical composition by itself
  3. CIt indicates the exact service life under all operating conditions
  4. DIt measures the lining's resistance to abrasion directly
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Thermal conductivity describes how readily heat passes through a material. It is one factor in evaluating heat loss and temperature distribution, alongside thickness, temperature, and system design.

Question 7

When applying a gunnable refractory, what does a properly adjusted, consistent air supply primarily help the applicator achieve?

  1. ASteady material delivery and controlled placement
  2. BA higher alumina content in the installed lining
  3. CAutomatic measurement of installed thickness
  4. DComplete removal of the need for curing
Show answerCorrect answer: A

Consistent air supply supports stable delivery and placement of gunnable material. Equipment settings should follow the material manufacturer's instructions and the approved procedure.

How to use this practice test

The free practice session draws up to 20 random questions from the 50-question API 936 bank. Use each scenario to test how you apply refractory material and installation concepts, then review the results shown after the session to identify topics that need closer attention.

Preparation tips

  • Compare refractory brick, mortar, and castable specifications, focusing on compatibility and the service conditions each material must withstand.
  • For placement scenarios, identify how geometry and application method affect forming, consistency, and lining quality.
  • Practice linking abrasion exposure and thermal conductivity to the operating requirements of the lining location.
  • Review installation quality-control steps, including representative sampling, lot identification, certificates, and specified mixing conditions.
  • Study why controlled dry-out heating rates matter, and distinguish ordinary surface changes from findings that may signal loss of lining integrity.
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