Purchasing a new boiler is a big decision for any company or organization. It means investing thousands of dollars in a piece of equipment you’ll be using for many years to come. Needless to say, it’s not a venture you should take lightly. You need to know ahead of time exactly what you should be looking for in a new boiler.
Boilers are often distinguished by fuels that power them. The kind of fuel makes an essential difference in operating costs and environmental impact, so it’s important to learn about the various types of boiler fuel.
Coal, is a common boiler fuel. It dominates the global energy arena due to its abundance, affordability and wide distribution across the world. The most commonly used coal fuels include anthracite, bituminous coal, sub-bituminous coal, lignite and peat.
Any unusual noises should always be treated seriously.
One of the first things to check if a boiler is unusually noisy is the boiler's thermostat. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, water can become too hot and begin to boil, which could cause loud noises. If the thermostat is broken it may need to be replaced to prevent the water from heating up so much.
Another reason for a noisy boiler could be mineral deposits. As the water heats up inside the boiler, minerals may sink to the bottom of the tank and affect the heat exchange. This may create hot spots within the boiler in which water is overheated, leading to loud noises.
Low water pressure is also a concern that can result in loud noises. If water pressure is low, the boiler is tend to be overheat.
Today's businesses, regardless of industry, can always do more to improve their sustainability and limit the negative impact their actions have on the environment. There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the best is to use a boiler that's designed to limit the emissions of NOx — one of the most harmful greenhouse gases humans emit into the atmosphere. Aside from being good for the environment, a low NOx boiler can also be good for business.
Safety is always a top priority when working with industrial boilers, at least it should be. Fortunately, safety has become less of an issue with more modern water tube boilers. Compared to traditional fire tube boilers, water tube boilers are far safer, almost to the point where you don’t have to worry about a catastrophic explosion taking place.
Boilers with low water volumes require a minimum flow requirement to prevent localized boiling and subsequent heat exchanger damage in a low to zero water flow situation. Minimum flow requirement varies by boiler design. Regardless if a boiler itself has a minimum flow requirement, every hydronic heating system needs to be designed to carry the energy being created away from the boiler to avoid high temperature shut down.
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.
