Industrial gas boilers are a key component in the total industry output and in the total energy consumption of the United States. As an illustration, in the US, the energy consumption of industrial boilers accounts for 37% of the total industrial energy consumption. Additionally, about 51% of the US industrial boiler capacity uses natural gas as their primary fuel.

Industrial Gas Boiler

Industrial gas boilers are closed pressure vessels that produce high or low-pressure steam or hot water for industrial use. Specifically, plants commonly use natural gas boilers to produce power for multiple applications.

The competitive advantage of industrial gas boilers is the availability of natural gas resources and its high energy-to-heat ratio. Generally, there are two types of boilers used in industrial applications—Fire-tube and Water-tube boilers.

The use of a fire-tube or water-tube industrial boiler depends on the industrial process for which they are going to generate steam or hot water. 

Fire-tube Industrial Gas Boiler

Fire-tube boilers are cylindrical vessels in which the flames in a furnace produce hot gases that pass through tubes surrounded by water. Consequently, the heat contained in the tubes transfers to the water, heating it and producing steam.

Fire-tube boilers can be either low or high pressure. Most low-pressure boilers produce hot water for heating purposes, while the high-pressure boilers produce steam for process use.

Pros and Cons

Fire-tube boilers are widely available in packaged form, allowing smooth relocation and installation. Additionally, they are also easy to operate, control, and maintain. However, they take longer to respond to fluctuations in the pressure demand. As a result, their uses are for space heating and diversity of industrial operations that do not require high pressure.

Water Tube Industrial Gas Boiler

Water-tube boilers have a furnace that burns gas or another type of fuel, whose combustion heats water-containing tubes. As a result, the tubes produce steam by transferring the heat received to the water circulating inside them. Afterward, the resulting vapor reenters the furnace through a superheater to generate extra pressure.

In particular, this device heats the saturated steam above the boiling point at very high pressure, turning it into superheated dry steam, which leaves the boiler with pressure high enough to drive large turbines. They are used by industries and utilities that demand high-pressure steam for their processes.

Pros and Cons

Water-tube boilers are highly efficient, produce very high pressures, and for their low water content, respond fast to fluctuations in demand for steam. Nevertheless, the degree of steam pressure limits its availability as ‘packages” because as the pressure generated increases, so does the size of the boiler.

There is a point beyond which they have to be custom assembled and installed in their working location. As a result, they have big sizes, are challenging to maintain, and the cost of acquisition and installation is higher than fire-tube.

If you require information or assistance for buying, renting, installing, and operating industrial Fire-tube or Water-tube boilers, contact us here.

  • The Energy Technology Systems Analysis Programme, ETSAP , provides key information about Industrial Combustion Boilers, including highlights around: Process and Technology Status, Performances and Costs, Potential and Barriers. It provides in addition, with a Summary Table with Key Data and Figures.

To know which of these boiler types is the most convenient for you, let us see what a boiler is. “A boiler is an enclosed vessel in which a fluid such as water is heated to produce steam or the vaporized form of a liquid. The steam or hot water is then circulated through a piping system to transfer heat for various applications such as heating, power generation, and other processes. Boilers and associated pieces of equipment are efficient heat exchange systems. However, they can be dangerous if not properly maintained and operated”.

There is a wide variety of boilers for a myriad of applications; from heating a room, to drive the turbines of a utility company. Although all of them produce steam and hot water, they have different designs, differ in their operation, and use various types of fuel. As a result, it is convenient to know more about the boiler types available, so that you can decide which one is the most suitable for your application.    

Industrial Boilers

Fire-tube Boiler

Fire-tube steam boilers are cylindrical vessels that hold water that surrounds a set of tubes conducting hot gases produced by a furnace. Consequently, the heat in the tubes transfers to the water surrounding them, producing steam.

The installation and relocation of modern fire-tube steam boilers are possible because they are available as portable packages. Also, they are easy to maintain. Nevertheless, due to the massive amounts of water at high pressure that the boiler holds, it requires safe operating procedures. The users of fire-tube boilers are industrial and commercial facilities whose processes demand lower steam pressures from this type of boilers. 

Water-tube boiler

Water-tube boilers are highly efficient machines that, by their design, produce superheated dry steam at very high pressures. It feeds large amounts of vapor (several million pounds-per-hour), at very high pressures, up to 5,000 PSIG, to industrial processes. A water-tube industrial boiler has a larger size than a fire-tube.

They are the kind of boilers capable of feeding the processes of heavy industry and utility companies. However, the acquisition and installation costs are high. In the case of heavy industries, they are custom made on the installation site, which can be complicated and time-consuming. Furthermore, they are challenging to maintain. Thus, they require highly skilled personnel for operation and maintenance. 

Commercial Boilers

Commercial boilers have different ways to generate heat; firetube, small water tube, and electric resistance. Their ideal users are universities, libraries, office buildings, schools, laundries, hospitals, and other similar facilities,

Among the different boiler types, commercial boilers are some of the most diverse. These units can use propane, natural gas, electricity, or light oil to provide hot water or steam for process requirements or comfort heating. Based on the type of boiler selected and its application, these systems boost fuel efficiency as high as 99%.

A central heating boiler’s size is proportional to the size of the facility. The ideal size for a boiler is one that can cope adequately with the heating needs the coldest season of the year. A typical commercial heating system has four main components: The boiler produces the heat. The pipes, pumps, and valves, distribute the heat. Radiators and convectors, irradiate the heat to the specific room. Finally, there is a control system that regulates everything.

Home Boilers

Condensing Boilers

Condensing boilers typically extract over 90% of the heat from the fuel they burn, making them both cost-effective and energy-efficient. 

Combination Boilers

A combination boiler is a type of condensing boiler. They are highly efficient and compact, making them ideal for smaller homes. They can act as both, a water heater and also a central heating unit. 

System Boilers

A system boiler directly heats a house’s central heating and also produces hot water for the storage cylinder. It is a heat-only boiler. 

Boiler Types by fuel consumption

Another way that boilers can be classified is by the type of fuel that they burn. The most common are: 

Coal 

Most industrial coal-fired boilers run on crushed or pulverized coal, which burns more efficiently than large coal clumps.

Gas and Oil

Gas-fired boilers operate using natural gas, most often a mix of methane, ethane, butane, pentane, or propane. Oil-fired boilers burn gasoline, diesel, and other fossil fuels.

Biomass

Biomass boilers burn plant materials like wood chips, wood construction debris, and corn husks. 

Boiler Types by Combustion System

All the boilers mentioned before typically fall into one of the following combustion method categories.

Thermic Fluid

Thermic fluid heaters use fossil fuel inside a closed system. The sealed system can lead to greater efficiency, although it is not ideal for specific applications.

Fluidized Bed

It is the most common method used for burning solid fuels in boilers today; fluidized bed technology involves a bubbling hot mixture of water and material particles (like sand) with fuel in suspension. This mix allows for rapid heat transfer and cleaner, more efficient operations. 

If you need one of these boiler types, Teems Steam is here to provide solutions for all of your boiler rental, sales, installation, and operation needs.

Sources: Superior Boiler, Odesie

Fire-tube steam boilers are a cylindrical vessel in which the flames in a furnace produce hot gases that pass through tubes surrounded by water. Consequently, the heat contained in the tubes transfers to the water, heating it and producing steam.

Fire-tube can be either low or high pressure. Most low-pressure boilers produce hot water for heating purposes, while the high-pressure boilers produce steam for process use.

This article contains technical descriptions. Hence, go directly to the CONCLUSION section at the end of the post if you are interested in a summary.

Design

They have two types of design, wet-back or dry-back. In the first, the boiler has a water-cooled turn around a chamber used to channel the gases from the furnace into the tube banks. Tube removal and cleaning can be more complicated than in the dry-back design.

The dry-back design has a larger and swingable refractory-lined rear door integrated with the vessel. Through this door, combustion gases transfer from the furnace into the tube banks. It requires more refractory maintenance than the wet-back design.

Operation.

The fire-tube steam boiler holds a firebox where flames produce hot combustion gases. A cooling jacket that contains water surrounds the firebox and connects to the long cylindrical boiler shell. The water surrounds a series of fire-tubes or flues that heat the water, generating saturated (wet) steam. That steam rises to the boiler’s highest point, called steam dome, where it accumulates.

A regulator located in the steam dome controls the exit of the steam. A series of larger flues (tubes) situated at the top of the boiler, conduct the saturated (wet) steam back turning it into dry or superheated steam. The boiler produces superheated steam and exhaust gases. The superheated steam, most of the time, feeds a steam engine’s cylinders and rarely feeds a turbine. Those machines turn the energy of the steam into mechanical work. The exhaust gases are recycled to preheat the water that enters the boiler, thus increasing its efficiency.

The fire tubes run through the length of the boiler and make a turn. That run before making the turn is called a pass. Therefore, a three-pass boiler has three sets of tubes, while a four-pass boiler has four. A boiler with more passes has a higher heat extraction rate and is more efficient than one with fewer passes. The fire–tube steam boilers hold pressures to a maximum of 250 psi and 750 horsepower.

Thermal Efficiency

The addition of tubes to the drum containing the water increases the heating surface of the boiler. The higher the heating surface, the more significant the amount of heat that transfers from the hot gases to the water, thus, increasing the thermal efficiency of the boiler. The thermal efficiency is the ratio of the heat transferred from the fuel to the heat absorbed by the water. Steam boilers that have an improved design and high heat transfer rates reach a thermal efficiency of 80% – 85%.

Safety

Every boiler technician must know the basic principles of boiler operation and maintenance because the safe operation of a boiler can prevent accidents. Steam boilers hold large quantities of very hot water under high pressures. When the pressure in the boiler is close to 100 psi, the temperature of the water reaches more than 300 degrees F. If the pressure suddenly drops to zero, without a corresponding drop in temperature, the water instantly turns to steam, increasing its volume enormously. The result of this reaction may be an explosion. Modern fire-tube boilers have built-in safety controls that prevent this type of event from happening. For more information, contact us here.

Conclusion

Fire-tube steam boilers are cylindrical vessels that hold water that surrounds a set of tubes conducting hot gases produced by a furnace. Consequently, the heat in the tubes transfers to the water surrounding them, producing steam.

Modern fire-tube steam boilers are sold as packages that can be installed rather fast and can be relocated elsewhere. They are easy to maintain. Nevertheless, due to the massive amounts of water at high pressure that the boiler holds, they require safe operating procedures.

Industrial and commercial applications whose processes require lower steam pressures demand this type of boilers. If you require information or assistance for buying, renting, installing, and operating Fire-tube steam boilers, contact us here.

Sources: Superior Boilers

From all the industrial boilers in the market, you want to buy one that meets your needs and runs at pick operational efficiencies for the longest period of time. Accordingly, there are many factors affecting the buying decision that you have to consider. Those key aspects are types of boilers available, price, lifetime efficiency, operational specifications, size, safety, maintenance, fuel, and accessories.

Types of Industrial Boilers

There are three types of industrial boilers, water tube, fire tube, and firebox. They are configurable for use in many types of operations.

Water Tube Boilers

They are the type of industrial boilers where water passes through tubes while the hot combustion gas flows on the other side of the pipes. Water Tube boilers are more expensive and efficient and less dangerous than fire tube boilers. They produce high temperatures and steam pressure.

Fire Tube Boilers

They are the type of industrial boilers where heat and gases of combustion (from the furnace) pass through tubes that are enclosed on water. They have a lower cost than water tube type and require less maintenance. However, they are not capable of producing high heat, pressure, and steam.

Fire Box Boilers

They are a traditional “locomotive” type of boiler. The “firebox” is the space where the heat originates, producing hot gases that pass through the tubes, heating the fluid. It is reliable but limited in its applications.

Price of an Industrial Boiler

A steam boiler is an expensive piece of equipment. Consequently, price is a crucial variable to be considered when buying one. Nevertheless, in the long run, you may spend more money in downtime for repairs, maintenance, and fuel consumption if you buy a lower price boiler.

Lifetime Efficiency

It is crucial to make the buying decision with the lifetime efficiency of the boiler in mind. Hence, It would be best if you did a cost-benefit analysis for the expected useful life of the boiler. Specifically, you should consider: running times, operational costs, maintenance schedule, and costs, and expected lifetime of the machine. Buying the right kind of boiler saves you money and trouble in the long run.

Operational Specifications

The operational specs give you the matching points with the demands of your facility. Therefore, it is essential to know them beforehand. For instance, if your plant demands high temperature and pressure for its production processes, you need a high-performance boiler. Furthermore, they are a vital input in the feasibility study. Some of them are heat output capacity, temperature, thermal efficiency, and maximum pressure.

Size of an Industrial Boiler

It is vital for various reasons. The more steam you need for operating the facility, the larger the boiler size that you require. Consider that the run costs of an oversized boiler are higher compared to the run costs of an undersized one. Nevertheless, the latter may not be able to meet the high-temperature requirements needed by your facility.

Industrial Boilers Require Safety First

Safety is a primary consideration when buying a boiler. Handling the operation of a boiler is a highly technical job that requires well-trained personnel. They must follow the operational procedures in detail, due to the potential hazard of the high temperatures and pressures involved. High-quality boilers take safety first as an original manufacturing specification. Accordingly, you should check the safety track record of the specific brand and model that you want to buy.

Maintenance of Industrial Boilers

It is vital to take into consideration the maintenance schedule of the boiler. Since you want it to be functioning at peak efficiency for the longest time possible. Additionally, low-quality boilers require frequent repairs, which means that they have to be replaced sooner than one of higher quality.

Fuel for Industrial Boilers

Before buying a boiler, the owner has to consider the type of fuel that the boiler uses, evaluating its availability and cost. Boilers use oil, electricity, coal, natural gas, and propane.

Accessories

Many accessories are necessary to complement the operation of the boiler: de-aerators that remove excess oxygen from the water, safety valves, and others.

Conclusion

You are responsible for the operation of a facility that depends on the high efficiency, long-running times, and extended use-life of an industrial boiler. Therefore, it is crucial to make a decision that you are not going to regret later on. Because you don’t want to have your plant shut down for boiler repairs. Or worse, to have part of your personnel suffering injuries for malfunction of the boiler that you selected.

Accordingly, you want to buy the right model and size of the boiler for your plant requirements. Afterward, you should install it correctly and keep it well operated and maintained by highly skilled personnel. Then, you will have your facility operating at optimal levels for a long time. We have that boiler, call us here to have a conversation about it.

Sources: Superior Boilers

A boiler is a closed metal container with a heating element. Its purpose is to produce steam or heat water by increasing the temperature inside the chamber so that it is higher than that of the environment. Boilers also increase the pressure so that it is greater than atmospheric.

The combination of a boiler and a superheater is known as a steam generator.

How do boilers work?

The basic principle of operation of the boilers consists of a chamber where combustion occurs with the help of combustion air. Then, through the use of a heat exchanger, the transfer of heat is performed and the water is heated.

Taking that into account, the term “boiler” is a remnant of the past when steam boilers boiled water to generate steam. Modern boilers generally heat water using natural gas, butane, or propane.

This hot water is distributed to each radiator through a network of pipes. This causes heat to be distributed more evenly throughout the room and provides a more homogeneous temperature throughout the building during the winter months.

What is the structure of a boiler?

The actual structure of a boiler will depend on the type; however, in a general way, we can describe the following parts:

  • Burner: used to burn the fuel.
  • Home: it houses the burner inside and its where the fuel is burned to generate the hot gases.
  • Heat exchange tubes: The heat from the gases is transferred to the water as they travel through these tubes. It also generates steam bubbles.
  • Liquid-vapor separator: it is necessary to separate the drops of liquid water from the hot gases before feeding them to the boiler.
  • Chimney: it is the escape route of the fumes and combustion gases.
  • Housing: contains the home and the heat exchange tube system.

Boiler classification

Several characteristics define the type of boiler:

A. Depending on the relative position between the fluid and the flue gases

1. With multiple smoke pipes – Pirotubular.

2. With multiple tubes of water pipes – Acuotubular.

B. Depending on the number of steps:

1. One step of gas travel.

2. Multi-step.

C. Depending on the energy needs of the process:

1. Hot water boilers.

2. Thermal fluid.

Advantages of gas boilers at home

Price: There are boilers with a variety of prices.

Speed, comfort, and space: for home use, the heating process can be quite fast. You can regulate the consumption and temperature using the built-in thermostat. Also, they do not usually take up much space.

Shelf life In general: this type of boiler lasts longer than other heaters.

Cleaning: Natural gas boilers, unlike some of the alternatives, do not pollute, unlike other means of heating that do emit waste.

 

A boiler is a crucial piece of equipment in most industrial, commercial facilities and power plants. Specifically, it is a closed pressure vessel that produces high or low-pressure steam or hot water for industrial or domestic use, and have a wide variety of uses. Consequently, there are several types of boilers serving every need. Here we present their classification so that you have a better idea of the kind of boiler that you need.

Classification of Boilers

Industrial Boilers

Fire Tube


They are the type of industrial boilers where heat and gases of combustion (from the furnace) pass through tubes that are enclosed on water. (1)

Water Tube


They are the type of industrial boilers where water passes through tubes while the hot combustion gas flows on the other side of the pipes. Water Tube boilers are more efficient and less dangerous than fire tube boilers. (2)

Fire Box

They are the traditional “locomotive” type of boiler. The “firebox” is the space where the heat originates, producing hot gases that pass through the tubes, heating the fluid. It is reliable but limited.

Packaged Type


The packaged type comes as a factory-assembled package with mountings, accessories, and control instruments installed on it. Either they can be of the fire tube or the water tube type. (4)

By the Type of Fuel Used by Boilers

Coal-fired


They generate thermal energy by burning pulverized coal. (21)

Oil-fired


They are used for application in low-pressure steam or hot water central heating system. (22)

Gas-fired


They, as its name indicates, are gas-fired by either natural gas or propane. (23)

Biomass


They are very similar to the conventional gas types, but instead of using gas (or oil) to produce the heat, they combust sustainably sourced wood pellets. (24)

Circulating Fluidized Bed (FBC Boiler)

CFB is a combustion technology that allows burning solid fuels in steam boilers. When air or gas passes through an inert bed of sand supported by a fine mesh, as the velocity of the air bubbles increases the bed particles, and the air attains a state of high turbulence and the bed assumes the appearance and exhibits the properties of a fluid, and hence its name. (5)

Pulverized Coal (PC Boiler)


Their use is commercial or industrial, and they generate thermal energy by burning pulverized coal or other combustible material. Specifically, compressed air blows the pulverized coal through a suitable nozzle where it burns. (6)

Waste Heat Recovery


It is an energy recovery heat exchanger that recovers heat from hot streams with potential high-energy content. In particular, hot fuel gases from a diesel generator or steam from cooling towers or even wastewater from different cooling processes such as in steel cooling. (7)

Nuclear Steam Generators


Nuclear Steam generators are heat exchangers that are used to convert water into steam from heat produced in a nuclear reactor core. Specifically, pressurized water reactors (PWR) use them in between the primary and secondary coolant loops. Then, his primary coolant is pumped through the reactor core, where it absorbs heat from the fuel rods. (8)

By the Steam Pressure of Boilers

Low-Pressure


They are of the steam or hot water types that have a maximum pressure of 15 pounds per square inch for steam and a maximum of 160 pounds per square inch for hot water. (9)

High-Pressure


A high-pressure is a boiler that generates steam or other vapor at a pressure of more than 15 PSIG or heats water to a temperature higher than 250°F and pressure greater than 160 PSIG for use external to itself. (10)

By the Boilers’ Steam Uses

Process Boilers.


They produce a heated or vaporized fluid for use in various processes or heating applications. For instance, water heating, central heating, boiler-based power generation (11)

Utility Boilers


It is a combustion unit of more than 25 megawatts that serves a generator that produces electricity for sale and fires fossil fuel. (12)

Marine Boilers


They are usually of the two-drum water-tube type with water-cooled furnaces. Likewise, heat recovery equipment of the economizer or air-heater type. The majority of ships are fitted with two units, although some large passenger ships may have three or more. (13)

By their Portability

Stationary and Portable boilers.

By the Furnace Position

Externally Fired Boilers


It has the combustion chamber outside of the shell. This type of furnaces are not surrounded by water but by brickwork (14)

Internally Fired Boilers


It is one whose furnace is wholly or partly surrounded by water. (14)

By the Axis of the Shell

Vertical (Cochran)


It is a vertical drum axis, natural circulation, natural draft, low pressure, multi-tubular, solid fuel fired, fire tube boiler with an internally fired furnace. (15)

Horizontal (Cornish, Lancashire)


Lancashire is a simple horizontal boiler which belongs to the shell and tube class. While Cornish is much like the Lancashire boiler, it is a fire-tube type of boiler that its hot gases flow in tubes and water surround these tubes in shell. (16)

By the Number of Tubes in the Boiler

Single-tube Boilers


It is a type of boiler in which hot gases pass from a fire through one tube running through a sealed container of water. (17)

Multi-tube Boilers


It is a type of boiler in which hot gases pass from a fire through many tubes running through a sealed container of water. (18)

According to the Circulation of Water and Steam in the Boiler

Natural Circulation Boilers


Inside them, the heating of water sets up convection currents that make the water flow. Consequently, as the temperature of the water in the boiler increases, the difference in density makes the water circulate. (19)

Forced Circulation Boilers


It is one where a pump circulates water inside the boiler. Notwithstanding, it differs from a natural circulation type, which relies on current density to circulate water inside the boiler. Furthermore, in some forced circulation boilers, the water flows at a speed of twenty times the rate of evaporation. (20)

Conclusion

Independently of the type of boiler that you need, our steam team has over 100 years of combined experience and is prepared to serve you! We provide solutions for all of your industrial boiler rental and boiler sales needs for all market segments, request a quote today here.

Sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

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.

There are many types and models of heating equipment. Boilers are the most popular heating systems in the world.

Even so, it is essential to know that they require regular maintenance and inspections to ensure their correct, safe, and efficient operation.

Why is proper maintenance of the boilers necessary?

One of the most critical aspects of heating installations and, in this case specifically, of boilers, is their maintenance. Not only the boilers should be checked, but also the heating circuit. Many users think that this is an unnecessary expense until they realize how expensive it is to fix them once they break.

In order to maintain energy efficiency, it is vital to avoid emissions of undesirable gases into the atmosphere. By doing this, we also ensure the safety of our facilities and personnel. It is also worth considering that a poorly maintained boiler, in addition to increasing consumption and costs, does not generate the same amount of heat.

What are the consequences of neglecting boilers?

When boiler maintenance has not been carried out consistently, it can present a series of problems that can have a direct impact on monthly consumption. Moreover, it increases the probability of emitting dangerous gases.

Therefore, the boilers need not only preventive maintenance but a scheduled annual control, which allows us to extend the life of the system. If we avoid maintenance, problems will likely arise in the operation of the boiler, resulting in breakdowns.

The most frequent are:

If the heating system has a sudden blackout, the temperature can rise very fast, or on the contrary, the radiators could be failing to heat up. The fault may be due to a wiring problem or a sensor that blocks the recirculation pump. It is a severe problem that should be fixed as soon as possible.

Another fault that is usually more serious is the obstruction of the smoke outlet. Often, an error appears in any of the indicators that the boiler has and subsequently crashes. It is because carbon monoxide is not evacuated through the outlet duct, and, for safety, the boiler self-locks. In this case, you should contact a boiler repair service.

Sometimes it happens that the flame of the boiler does not ignite, and in this case, it is likely that the fuel suction filters are dirty. The solution is simple, but a technician must still review the heating system just in case.

Pressure drops can be very unpleasant and usually appear over time. It means that the system is not heating properly. This is an issue that you might be able to solve on your own. To get it to work correctly again, fill the circuit with the pressure recommended by the manufacturer of your boiler.

How to do preventive maintenance in boilers?

DAILY

  • Verify:
    Water level and combustion.
  • Purge:
    Background, scale, and surface:
    Pressure/temperature feed water
    Fuel gas temperature
    Fuel oil temperature and pressure
    Gas pressure
    Atomizing air pressure
    Supply and return water temperatures
    Water consumption replacement
    Vapor pressure

WEEKLY:

  • Check:

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.

SEMIANUALLY:

  • Refractory inspections
  • Check the electrical components
  • Clean:

Low water faucet
Oil pump, strainer, and filter
Air cleaner and air/oil separator
Compressor coupling alignment (fan)

ANNUALLY

  • Inspect the inside surface of the container
  • Clean:

Chimney sweeping of fire pipes

Water chamber inspection

If you follow these steps, you’ll ensure the proper functioning of your boiler. At the same time, you will achieve efficient energy consumption, which is reflected as savings in your power bills and security for your facility’s personnel.