A process load is usually a high-pressure steam load. A process load pertains to manufacturing operations, where heat from steam or hot water is used in the process. A process load is further defined as either continuous or batch. In a continuous load, the demand is fairly constant - such as in a heating load. The batch load is characterized by short-term demands. The batch load is a key issue when selecting equipment, because a batch-type process load can have a very large instantaneous demand that can be several times larger than the rating of the boiler. For example, based on its size, a heating coil can consume a large amount of steam simply to fill and pressurize the coil. When designing a boiler room for a process load with instantaneous demand, a more careful boiler selection process should take place.
Loads vary, and a power plant must be capable of handling the minimum load, the maximum load, and any load variations. Boiler selection is often dictated by the variation in load demand, rather than by the total quantity of steam or hot water required. There are three basic types of load variations: seasonal, daily, and instantaneous.
The primary purpose of the boiler is to supply energy to the facility's operations – for comfort heating, manufacturing process, laundry, kitchen, etc. The nature of the facility's operation will dictate whether a steam or hot water boiler should be used. Hot water is commonly used in heating applications, with the boiler supplying water to the system at 120°F to 220°F. The operating pressure for hot water heating systems usually is 30 psig to 125 psig (hydrostatic). Under these conditions, there is a wide range of hot water boiler products available. If system requirements are for hot water of more than 250°F, a high-temperature water boiler should be considered.
ead below for our top three benefits to purchasing a low NOx heater for your facility.
They're Environmentally Friendly
When NO2 and NOx are released, they interact with other chemicals in the atmosphere that is harmful to the environment. The EPA has linked NOx emissions contributing to acid rain, smog, global warming, and smog. By using a low NOx heater, you greatly reduce NO2 pollution in the atmosphere.
Interested in decreasing waste and emissions? Learn why your facility needs a waste recovery unit.
They're Safer For Your Employees
According to the EPA, exposure to nitrogen oxides has been found to contribute to respiratory problems and diseases, like asthma. By installing a low NOx heater, you're potentially preventing damage to your employee's lungs.
They're More Efficient
As our low NOx heaters are built using a serpentine coil technology, they have space between the coil tubes which renders them 10 to 15% more efficient that hot oil heaters that feature helical coils.
There are so many options to weigh when looking for high efficiency boilers: hot water or steam, wetback or dryback, type of fuel, and more. However, there are a few key considerations to make when evaluating a new boiler for efficiency that will help you no matter what your other considerations may be. Look for a fan that can deliver a stable air supply, a burner and boiler unit that can produce low emissions, a design that maximizes flue gas velocity, smart pressure vessel design, and an efficient heating power to boiler surface ratio are just a few considerations to keep in mind. These simple but powerful design elements are hallmarks of solid construction and will add up to significant performance enhancements. Our team members are always available for consultation and can make specific recommendations when it comes to models once we know more about your needs.
All boilers, whether hot water or steam, depend on fuel to run. The heating process is initiated when the burner heats or evaporates the water inside it, which is ultimately transported via pipe systems. Hot water boilers rely on pumps to move the heat through the system, while steam boilers are transported with the pressure generated in the heating process. Eventually, cooled water or condensed steam is returned back through the pipes to the boiler system so that it can be heated once again. While the boiler is generating energy in the form of heat, flue gases, a byproduct of this process, are removed through a chimney system - which is why regulating the emissions of industrial boilers is taken very seriously.
The choice between a steam system or a thermal fluid system is governed by the process requirements. The range or process temperature is a deciding factor. If the system’s required temperature is above the freezing point of water (0°C) and below approximately 160°C, the choice is usually steam. However, if the required temperature is above 160°C, thermal fluid may be a better solution. Thermal oil heater systems can be designed with maximum operating temperatures to 325°C.
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.
