STEAM GENERATORS

(BOILERS)
Applications of Steam
1. Power generation: expanding steam in the steam
engine or turbine may generate mechanical work or
electric power.
2. Utilization of steam for industrial processes such
as for sizing and bleaching etc. in textile industries.
3. The steam is utilized for producing hot waters for
hot water supply.
Classification of Boilers
BOILERS

Tube Method Arrangement Circulation Pressure

contain of Firing of shell of water of steam

Internally Horizontal Natural

Low
Fire tube
Externally Forced
Vertical High
Water tube
Classification of Boilers
1) Relative position of hot gases and water:

Fire tube Boiler Water tube Boiler

Ex: Cochran, Locomotive and Lancashire boilers Ex. Babcock and Wilcox boiler, and Stirling boiler
Classification of Boilers
2) Method of firing:
a) Internally fired boiler: The furnace region (the space in
which combustion of fuel takes place) is provided inside
the boiler shell.
Ex: Lancashire, Locomotive, etc.

b) Externally fired boiler: The furnace region is provided

outside the boiler shell.
Ex: Babcock and Wilcox, Stirling, etc.
Classification of Boilers
3) Arrangement of the shell:
Horizontal: If the axis of the boiler is
horizontal, the boiler is called horizontal.
Ex: Lancashire, Babcock and Wilcox
boilers.
Vertical: If the axis is vertical, it is called
vertical boiler.
Ex: Cochran boiler.
Classification of Boilers
4) Pressure of steam:
a) High Pressure boilers: producing steam at pr. > 80 bar
Ex: Babcock and Wilcox, Velox, Lamont, Benson
boilers.
a) Low pressure boilers: producing steam at pr. < 80 bar
Ex: Cochran, Cornish, Lancashire, Locomotive boilers.
Classification of Boilers
5) Method of circulation of water:
a) Forced circulation: In these type of boilers, a pump does the
circulation of water.
Ex: Velox, Lamont, Benson boiler, etc.
a) Natural circulation: circulation of water in these boilers take
place owing to natural convection currents set up due to
difference in temperature (called buoyancy force)
Ex: Lancashire, Locomotive, Babcock and Wilcox, Cornish
boilers.
Classification of Boilers
6) Based on use:
a) Stationary: Boilers, which are used with stationary plants
like power plants or industrial central heating.
Ex: Lancashire boiler, etc.
b) Portable: Boilers, which can be readily dismantled and
easily carried from one place to another.
Ex: Babcock and Wilcox boiler.
c) Mobile: Boilers, which are used when they are in motion.
Ex: Locomotive boiler, etc.
Cochran Boiler
• The hemispherical crown of the
firebox is also advantageous for
resisting intense heat.

• The hemispherical crown of the

boiler shell gives maximum
space and strength to
withstand the pressure of
steam inside the boiler.

• Almost any kind of fuel including

wood, paddy husk and oil fuel

• Steam pressure is up to 20 kgf/cm2

and the efficiency is from 70 to 75
percent
Babcock & Wilcox Boiler
• Horizontal, externally fired, water
tube, natural circulation type of
stationary boiler

• used in marine and stationary

plants/engines

• working pressure of these boilers is

up to 40 bar

• steam is taken from the steam

space of the boiler through a T tube
to the superheater tubes where the
steam is superheated as it receives
additional heat
• mud box is provided with each
down take header at the bottom
Fire tube Vs Water tube Boilers

Fire tube boilers Water tube boilers

Flue gases pass through Water flows through the
the tubes surrounded by tubes surrounded by Flue
water. gases.
Compact in design and Complex in design and
construction, i.e., low construction, i.e, high
initial cost. initial cost.
Fire tube Vs Water tube Boilers
Fire tube boilers Water tube boilers
Have large ratio of water Small ratio of water content
content to steam capacity. to steam capacity.
Failure of fire tube affects Failure of water tube
the performance very doesn’t affect the
much. performance a much.
Maintenance is difficult. Is easy due to readily
accessibility of parts
Fire tube Vs Water tube Boilers
Fire tube boilers
Steam pr. is unaffected due
to load variation.
Steam pressures are low.
Low quality feed water can
be used.
Needs high quality fuels as
furnace is in the boiler shell.
Water tube boilers
varies with load.
are high
High quality feed water is
needed.
Low quality fuels can be
used as the furnace is
outside the boiler.