Which of the following is a common application of steam in engineering utilities?

Steam plays a pivotal role in various engineering applications, particularly in heating, sterilization, and power generation. In heating applications, steam is widely used because it efficiently transfers heat. It is utilized in radiators and boilers to provide warmth in buildings and industrial processes.

Additionally, steam is crucial in sterilization, especially in medical and laboratory settings, where high-temperature steam can effectively kill bacteria and other pathogens. This method is commonly employed in autoclaves.

Another significant application of steam is in driving turbines for power generation. Steam turbines convert the thermal energy of steam into mechanical energy, which is then transformed into electrical energy. This process is fundamental in large-scale power plants, where steam generated from boiling water is used to rotate the turbines.

In contrast, the other choices focus on applications that do not primarily utilize steam. For instance, cooling systems typically use water or refrigerants instead of steam. Refrigeration systems rely on vapor-compression or absorption cycles to achieve cooling, and fuel combustion is related to generating heat energy from fuels, not steam utilization. Therefore, steam's versatility in heating, sterilization, and power generation clearly highlights its importance in engineering utilities.