Steam boilers use a contained heat system to generate steam. The steam travels through pipes in the building’s walls where they emerge at radiators in heating systems. The radiators warm from the steam’s heat. As the steam gives off its heat, it condenses back to liquid water and returns to the tank. A boiler system of this type that does not allow outside water sources is a closed system and is highly efficient for using all the condensed water. An open network may be required in operations where the steam or water gets contaminated in such a way that it cannot return to the boiler for reuse.
Low-pressure boilers operate at a lower pressure and reach lower temperatures than high-pressure steam boilers. Water in low-pressure boilers is not heated beyond 250ºF, and the steam pressure does not exceed 15 psi (pounds per square inch).
The steam boiler in the packaging plant is mainly used in the heating process before the raw paper is made into cardboard. In brief, it is using steam which contains no water in the drying process to improve the production efficiency and product quality of packaging cartons. As a result, it has high requirements for the steam and steam boiler, such as temperature, water content, rated evaporation capacity per unit time, etc., which are important parameters in the boiler selection.
Missing insulation reduces the system’s efficiency. Insulation helps hold heat in the system, and when the heat can dissipate, more fuel is needed to maintain proper temperature and pressure.
Since missing insulation may not be visible, the best way to detect it is with a thermal imager. If you don’t have a thermal imager as a part of your building’s operations, a plumber or other professional likely will carry one. If your energy costs have increased without a rise in the amount you use the boiler, suspect missing insulation and call to have the system inspected with a thermal imager.
