If a higher-than-normal water level is observed through the inspection port of a flash evaporator, what should be suspected?

Observing a higher-than-normal water level through the inspection port of a flash evaporator typically indicates an issue with the system's ability to manage the flow of brine. In this context, if the brine pump is malfunctioning, it may not be effectively removing the concentrated brine from the evaporator, leading to an accumulation of water.

The brine pump is crucial for maintaining the proper balance and flow within the evaporator system. It helps to ensure that the concentrated brine is discharged efficiently, preventing any overflow conditions. If the pump fails, this can lead to excessive brine and water levels, disrupting the evaporation process.

While other factors such as a malfunctioning steam valve or low feedwater temperature can impact the overall efficiency of the evaporator, they do not specifically create a situation where the visible water level inside the evaporator itself is higher than normal as directly as a failed brine pump would.