The image below shows a sophisticated feedtank system where the water is being heated by steam injection. It must also be of the correct quality to avoid damage to the boiler. It must be at the correct temperature, usually around 80☌, to avoid thermal shock to the boiler, and to keep it operating efficiently. The quality of water which is supplied into the boiler is important. The boiler has a number of fittings and controls to ensure that it operates safely, economically, efficiently and at a consistent pressure. This also maintains the correct steam temperature, because the pressure and temperature of saturated steam are directly related. The burner will operate to maintain the correct pressure. When required, the steam pressure is reduced at the point of use.Īs long as the amount of steam being produced in the boiler is as great as that leaving the boiler, the boiler will remain pressurised. Steam boilers are usually operated under pressure, so that more steam can be produced by a smaller boiler and transferred to the point of use using small bore pipework. If steam is pressurised, it will occupy less space. The stop or crown Valve isolates the boiler and its steam pressure from the process or plant. The steam is released into the space above, ready to enter the steam system. Once the water reaches saturation temperature (the temperature at which it will boil at that pressure) bubbles of steam are produced, which rise to the water surface and burst.
THE STEAM AND CONDENSATE LOOP BOOK DOWNLOAD SERIES
The hot gases from the burner pass backwards and forwards up to 3 times through a series of tubes to gain the maximum transfer of heat through the tube surfaces to the surrounding boiler water. The typical modern packaged boiler is powered by a burner which sends heat into the boiler tubes. The boiler is the heart of the steam system. The Boiler House The boiler house - a basic overview of a steam system.