Question 355Steam Plants - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is A) decreasing the thickness of the adjusting ring. The total oil clearance in the thrust bearing assembly can be decreased by decreasing the thickness of the adjusting ring. This is because the adjusting ring is used to set the clearance between the thrust collar and the thrust bearing. Reducing the thickness of the adjusting ring will bring the thrust collar and bearing closer together, thus decreasing the total oil clearance. The other options are incorrect because increasing the thickness of the adjusting ring or the filler piece would increase the clearance, and decreasing the thickness of the filler piece would not directly affect the clearance between the thrust collar and bearing.