There are a number of considerations to factor when determining the best boiler for your steam generation needs like operating pressure, steam pounds/hour output, demand fluctuation, general application requirments and total cost of ownership, etc.
Two primary boiler types, the firetube boiler and the watertube boiler, are essentially opposite in design. The firetube boiler passes combustion gas inside a series of tubes surrounded by water in a vessel to produce steam, while a watertube instead sends water through a series of tubes surrounded by combustion gas used to transfer heat energy and produce steam.
Reliability is absolutely essential to optimal boiler performance. In order to achieve the highest degree of dependability in a boiler it is important to identify and address the primary causes of boiler problems. One of the most common issues that can compromise a boiler is poor water quality.
The effect of water quality on boiler performance is a huge concern for plant owners and operators. Premature boiler failure often occurs as a result of poor or inconsistent feed water quality. Hard water elements in feed water are responsible for a number of issues:
One of the most important accessories you can have for your steam boiler is a water softener, which serves several purposes and plays a crucial role in helping your boiler avoid malfunctions and run more efficiently. Let's go back to the basics and walk through how water softeners are used in steam boilers.
One of the most difficult questions of purchasing new boilers is deciding how many boilers will be necessary. The best way is to consult with an expert who can guide you through the process. However, there are two factors to consider before you speak to an expert.
A fire tube steam boiler is a boiler where the combustion gases from the burner are channeled through tubes that are surrounded by the fluid to be heated. The boiler body is the pressure vessel and contains the fluid. In most cases, this fluid is water that will circulate for heating purposes or become steam for use in processing.
Each set of tubes through which the combustion gas passes, before making a turn, is considered a "step". Consequently, a three-step boiler will have three sets of pipes with the outlet located at the rear of the boiler.
The primary objective of an industrial boiler is the generation of steam. Steam is generated by heat transfer at a constant pressure. The fluid, which is initially in a liquid state, is heated, produces a variation in its phase and becomes saturated vapour.
This saturated steam can then be used for different applications such as sterilization, fluid heating or electricity generation.
Water, which is the primary fluid inside the closed metal container of the industrial boiler, is heated to an atmospheric temperature and a pressure higher than the external one. Once the steam is generated, it advances through the pipes.
In superheated industrial water boilers, the water is pressurized and boiled to 100°C producing steam. These boilers are pyrotubular, with a high volume of water and a large temperature exchange zone. The designs can adapt to temperatures and pressures according to needs.