Boiler Basics
Boiler Basics
Design and operation A boiler is an enclosed vessel that provides a means for combustion heat to be transferred into water until it becomes heated water or steam. The hot water or steam under pressure is then usable for transferring the heat for the steam requirements of process industries or for power generation. Combustion boilers are designed to use the chemical energy in fuel to raise the energy content of water so that it can be used for heating and power applications. Many fossil and non-fossil fuels are fired in boilers, but the most common types of fuel include coal, oil and natural gas. During the combustion process, oxygen reacts with carbon, hydrogen and other elements in the fuel to produce a flame and hot combustion gases. As these gases are drawn through the boiler, they cool as heat is transferred to water. Eventually the gases flow through a stack and into the atmosphere. As long as fuel and air are both available to continue the combustion process, heat will be generated. Boilers are manufactured in many different sizes and configurations depending on the characteristics of the fuel, the specified heating output, and the required emission controls. Some boilers are only capable of producing hot water, while others are designed to produce steam. Boilers can burn coal, oil, natural gas, biomass as well as other fuels and fuel combinations. Most boilers are classified as either watertube or firetube boilers, but other designs such as cast iron, coil type, and tubeless (steel shell) boilers are also produced. Components of a boiler system The main components in a boiler system are boiler feedwater heaters, deaerators, feed pump, economiser, superheater, attemperator, steam system, condenser and condensate pump. In addition, there are sets of controls to monitor water and steam flow, fuel flow, airflow and chemical treatment additions.
More broadly speaking, the boiler system comprises a feedwater system, steam system and fuels system.
Design and operation A boiler is an enclosed vessel that provides a means for combustion heat to be transferred into water until it becomes heated water or steam. The hot water or steam under pressure is then usable for transferring the heat for the steam requirements of process industries or for power generation. Combustion boilers are designed to use the chemical energy in fuel to raise the energy content of water so that it can be used for heating and power applications. Many fossil and non-fossil fuels are fired in boilers, but the most common types of fuel include coal, oil and natural gas. During the combustion process, oxygen reacts with carbon, hydrogen and other elements in the fuel to produce a flame and hot combustion gases. As these gases are drawn through the boiler, they cool as heat is transferred to water. Eventually the gases flow through a stack and into the atmosphere. As long as fuel and air are both available to continue the combustion process, heat will be generated. Boilers are manufactured in many different sizes and configurations depending on the characteristics of the fuel, the specified heating output, and the required emission controls. Some boilers are only capable of producing hot water, while others are designed to produce steam. Boilers can burn coal, oil, natural gas, biomass as well as other fuels and fuel combinations. Most boilers are classified as either watertube or firetube boilers, but other designs such as cast iron, coil type, and tubeless (steel shell) boilers are also produced. Components of a boiler system The main components in a boiler system are boiler feedwater heaters, deaerators, feed pump, economiser, superheater, attemperator, steam system, condenser and condensate pump. In addition, there are sets of controls to monitor water and steam flow, fuel flow, airflow and chemical treatment additions.
More broadly speaking, the boiler system comprises a feedwater system, steam system and fuels system.