Marine Engines

What are the Different Components or Parts of a Boiler

This article discusses about the different parts or components that are present in a boiler. In this article we will get to know about each every component that is fitted inside the boiler. For example, super heater is the part of boiler that is used to generate superheated steam. Let’s discuss these parts in detail.

Different components or parts of a boiler

Steam drum

Earlie the drum of boilers were used to be made from riveting method, but now with advancement in the welding technology, drums are made with welding. And all this type of work is done in guidance of different classifications society and the welded piece are tested for their strength by using various tests.
The whole making of steam drum employed using four plates namely: two dished end plates, a thick wall tube plate (thicker to accommodate the drilled holes for inserting tubes) and completed with a thinner wrapper plate. Now in order to weld all plates together we use the welding method to accomplish the same. Since we know that we need to carry put tests on the plates in order to see test their strength, during welding some tests plates are also welded longitudinally. This in turn helps us to measure the strength of the welded joint. Generally we should have the strength of the welded part to be more then the parent metal. All this type of welding does not involve human effort and only sues the automatic machine to accomplish the same.
Generally we do non-destructive testing– such as x-ray photography and this gives the result regarding the worthiness of the weld. If any fault comes in the way then it is rectified as soon as possible.
In order to test the boiler against the leakage, we use the hydraulic testing and by this we are able to check any type of leakage occurring in the steam drum. The space above the water line acts as reserve steam space needed to maintain plant stability and helps in separation of the steam and water emulsions formed in the water walls and the generating tubes. It is usual that water will be getting carried away in the steam, so in order to separate the same; we have the perforated steam plate which separates the water from steam.

Water drum

Water drum acts as the main storage house of the water and the whole water from the down comers come to this only. But the size of the water drum depends upon the generating tubes and the down comers. Water drums also acts as the platform where the corrosions, waste material settle down and they are blow down from here only. But now in some modern boilers, the water drum is replaced with the down comers only.

Headers

If we see the working of headers, then we won’t find any difference between the working of water drum and the headers. Yes but they do working on a small scale. That is the reason why in some modern boilers, the headers have replaced the water drum. The same of these can be in square, round etc.

Generating tubes

These tubes are the main tube that come in contact of the flue gases and transmits heat to the water. Although they are not found in the modern boilers as they have replaced by the economizer tubes, but still they are used in many boilers.

Screen tubes and Water wall tubes

Screen tubes are also like generating tubes, but they have much more diameter. The main purpose of using the screen tubes is to protect the super heater tubes from unwanted heat. The reason for this is that steam latent heat of vaporization is very poor and it cannot take more heat away as this is already a steam only.
In order to increase the insulation of boilers, we use the water wall tubes. In water wall tubes, water flows and takes away the heat surrounding it. Thus the heat inside the boiler does not get transmitted to the outside of the boiler. These are of three designs namely: water cooled with refractory covered studded tubes; Close pitched exposed tubes and membrane Wall.

Down comers and Riser tubes

Down comers are the pipes that functions as the supplying water from steam drum to the water dream. As name suggests the water from the steam drum reaches the water drum with the help of these pipes only.
These tubes return steam from the top water wall headers to the steam drum.

Super heater tubes

Super heater tubes as name suggests are sued to generate steam of superheated quality. Generally they are protected by screen tubes. The reason for this has been shown with the yellow color above.

Mark Eriscson
Love to write about topics related to maritime sector. Was born in sailor's family, so love to ride on those high seas. In free time i would like to go for a good sunbath and some soothing guitar music. Want to have my own boat one day.

5 Replies to “What are the Different Components or Parts of a Boiler

  1. This is a fantastic blog post that gives a thorough description of all the elements and components of a boiler. The accompanying diagrams were a nice touch because they served as visual aids and improved comprehension of each element. Visual aids are always helpful when discussing intricate systems like boilers. Being someone who finds the inner workings of heating systems interesting, I thought this essay to be educational and well-structured.

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