A boiler is an engineering machine or device designed to generate steam. In particular, this steam is produced through a constant pressure heat transfer, in which the fluid, initially in a liquid state, is heated and its phase changes.
What type of steam does an industrial boiler produce?
The main objective of an industrial boiler is steam generation. Specifically, using a heat transfer at constant pressure to generate steam. Thus, the fluid, which is initially in a liquid state, heats up and becomes saturated steam.
Saturated steam can have different applications such as sterilization, fluid heating, or electricity generation.
Use of boilers
Steam has a wide variety of applications, boiler-created steam, which is usually water steam, is used for the following purposes:
Sterilization (staining): it was common to find pots in hospitals, which generated steam to sterilize medical instruments. Also, it is useful for the sterilization of cutlery in dining rooms with industrial capacity.
To heat other fluids, such as in the oil industry. For instance, heating heavy substances with steam can improve their fluidity.
Boilers are an essential part of thermoelectric power plants. In fact, they create steam which rises and moves a turbine that generates electricity.
Boilers are industrial installations that vaporize water for various applications in many industries. Specifically, they produce steam by applying the heat of a solid, liquid or gaseous fuel.
Objectives:
Boilers or steam generators purpose is to:
- Generate hot water for heating and general use, or
- Generate steam for power plants, industrial processes, or heat.
Operation and Applications of Industrial Boilers
Boilers are vessels that work under pressure using constant heat transfer, in which the liquid heats and changes state.
Industrial boilers have a great variety of applications in many industries that depend on them to deliver their products or services. For instance, hospitals, oil companies, restaurants, laundries, textiles, etc.
The water used in hot water and steam boilers needs a recalcification treatment typically to preserve the life of the boiler.
Every boiler has one or more drain pipes, which connects to the tanks’ lowest point. They are used to purge and extract the sludge.
The discharge of the purge pipes will be arranged in such a way that there is no danger of accidents for the personnel. Thus, it is emptied to the sewer through an intermediate retention pond or purge tank.
The conditions retention ponds must-haves are:
a) It will be easily accessible for inspection and sludge removal.
b) To prevent steam leaks, adjusted inspection covers or doors will be used.
c) The pond will be provided with a metal ventilation tube, which is connected to the room’s exterior.
d) The diameter of the exhaust pipe must be greater than the width of the purge tube.
e) It must have a valve in the lower part that allows personnel to drain all the water from the boiler.
For ideal performance, industrial boilers need to use proper fuel. In particular, these are characterized by a high calorific value, a specific degree of humidity, and a percentage of volatile materials and ashes.
It is necessary to analyze the fuels that we are going to use in each device. In particular, the chemical analysis is what allows us to distinguish the elements that are part of the fuel.
It’s also important to remember that air-fuel mixtures should be accurate, otherwise, it can damage the industrial boiler, and serious accidents can occur. It is necessary to take all the required precautions before handling industrial machinery and its fuel.
Boiler installation
Important factors to account in the installation of a boiler:
-Adequate illumination is imperative Noy only to ensure proper installation, but also to avoid accidents.
-Its location: usually, it will be located in the basement of the building, with good lighting, and adequate ventilation. Also, enough space for the operator to perform the maintenance work comfortably.
-Manufacturer specifications: adhere to them at all times.
-Protection devices: necessary for safe operation.
-Qualified staff: To ensure proper installation and maintenance you should hire only qualified and certified personnel.
-Another aspect to consider is that proper installation can significantly reduce the most common problems in boilers. For example, scale, corrosion, and deposits. Furthermore, among other pressing issues, these elements can affect the thermal performance, or cause the boiler control component reading to fail.
How to provide preventive maintenance to a boiler?
Check:
- Water level, combustion.
- Pressure/temperature feed water.
- Flue gas temperature.
- Fuel oil pressure and temperature.
- Gas pressure.
- Atomization air pressure.
- Supply and return water temperatures.
- Replacement water consumption.
- Vapor pressure.
- Adequate fuel valve closure.
- Air and fuel connections.
- Indicator lights and alarm.
- Limiting and operating controls.
- Security controls and connections.
- Filtration, noise, vibrations, abnormal conditions, etc.
-Inspect the inside surface of the container
Clean:
- chimney sweeping of fire pipes
- Water chamber inspection
If you are looking to install an industrial boiler in your facility we recommend that you hire a specialized company. It can offer installation and maintenance for peace of mind.