The functions of a boiler

What is a boiler?

A Boiler is a vessel (closed) that hats water or other liquid to generate steam or vapour. Steam or vapour is used for heating, power generation and other industrial purposes. 

The pressurised steam circulates in the piping network till the usage point. The heat of the steam is transferred to the process. s the volume of water increased after conversion to steam, industrial mechanical consultants should design the piping for the same. 

The Mechanical consultants should design the boilers with a trip-switch for low water. The quality of water should be good. The Indian Boiler regulations guide the design of boiler and steam piping. The design for the boiler and piping should comply with IBR regulations. 

The boiler has hot gas on one side and water on the other. The boiler is as efficient as its heating surface- the larger the heating surface, the more efficient the boiler. The MEP consultants must look for environmentally friendly fuel. It helps in reducing pollution.

Mechanical consultants recommend boilers for breweries, distilleries, food industries, beverage plants, textile manufacturing plants, automotive industries, paper and pulp, steel, commercial laundries, etc. 

What are the parts of a boiler? 

Typically, a boiler has the following parts: 

1. A feed water system: This feed water system supplies water to the boiler and regulates the flow depending on the need for steam. 
2. A steam system: It collects the steam produced. This system also controls steam production. The pressure gauge controls the pressure. It passes the steam through a network of pipes till the point of usage.
3. The fuel system: This system has the equipment depending on the type of fuel to be used.

The boiler is of many types depending on the following: 

1. Tube type: The boilers are fire tube, water tube, and field-erected types. 
2. Based on firing: Front fired burner type, Grate firing type, Cyclone firing, Opposite jet fired type, tangentially fired type, etc. 
3. Based on fuel: Coal type, gas type, liquid fuel type, biomass type, nuclear fuel type, etc. 
4. Usage of stem: Utility type, industrial type, cogeneration type, etc. 
5. Type of circulation: natural type, combined and forced. 

To conclude, the MEP consultant has a major role in deciding the boiler and the piping for the boiler as per the project requirements.