How does a boiler work?
A boiler is a container that contains water, which is heated to the desired level to produce steam by burning natural gases, coal, oil, and wood pellets. The steam thus produced is channeled to a place where it can be used to run production units, disinfect an area, sterilize equipment, heat the surroundings, heat water, etc.
A boiler is made up of a separate container called a burner, which is attached to it. The steam needed to heat houses, buildings and other structures is created by the fuel that is burned and supplied to the boiler from the burner. The natural gas is released to the boiler through a special pipe, the tank that is pressurized is used to supply the oil while the wood pellets are pushed to the burner. These fuels interact with the air and burn to provide the heat needed to turn water into steam.
Once the fuel is supplied to the burner and heated to the required point, the gases or fuel fire is released directly into the boiler to heat the water. This can happen in one of two ways depending on the type of boiler used.
There are mainly two types of boilers that work in different ways to produce heat.
Shell boilers: The most widely used are shell or shell boilers. In shell boilers, fire or hot gases released by the burner pass through the tubes inside the boiler shell surrounded by water. The tubes are placed in banks so that the gases pass through the boiler four times before exiting through the chimney. Firetube boiler systems can deliver up to 25,000 pounds or 750 hp of steam per hour. About 80% of the boilers in use today belong to this particular category.
Water Tube Boilers – Hot fuel or gases are released onto the outer surface of the water filled tubes and the area around it. The tubes are arranged vertically in the shell. Water boilers are generally built in a rectangular shape with two or three drums. While the upper drum is used to separate water and steam, the lower drum is used to collect sludge. They are typically used when more than 750 hp of steam per hour is required.
The hot fuel or gases released into the boiler from the burner heats the water and causes the temperature to rise up to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s when the steam forms. The generated steam is then circulated throughout the building or home through radiators, vents, and pipes, created specifically for heat transfer.
Some of the heat is retained in the boiler, as it is necessary to regulate the heat necessary to keep the building or house warm, or else they will overheat. Since more steam is produced as the temperature increases, it is essential to check the boiler and make sure that no excess pressure is built up. To check for pressure build-up, run your boiler for short periods of time. In addition, they must receive regular maintenance to keep them in optimal operating condition.