TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

Technical descriptions can take many forms, depending on purpose and audience.
Descriptions can range from a brief sentence, to a paragraph, a whole section of a
report, or an entire manual.  Poorly written technical descriptions can cause
confusion, waste time, and even result in catastrophe!  Technical product descriptions
are often legally required to ensure safety and compliance.  Attention to detail is
critical.
Mechanism Descriptions:  provide a detailed overview the physical aspects of a tool,
machine or other mechanical device that has moving parts and is designed to
perform a specific function. These could be product descriptions for sales or
manufacturing, documentation of design specifications, info-graphics, etc.  This
chapter focuses in detail on this kind of description.
Process Descriptions:  detail a series of events (natural/biological/ecological,
mechanical, social, or psychological phenomenon) that happen in particular sequence
in order to achieve a specific outcome. These can be categorized into non-
instructional processes (such as a process analyses of how an internal combustion
engine works, or natural processes like photosynthesis
IMPORTANT PARTS OF A TECHNICAL
DESCRIPTION
First, the writer names the object or process and defines it.Then the object/process is
described in detail.Its function is explained in detail.This is followed by a neatly
labelled diagram.
1.Naming- Babcock Willcox boiler
2.Defining
3. Describing
4.Illustrating-diagram,Photograph
NAME & DEFINITION
Name: Babcock-Wilcox Water Tube Boiler
Definition of Boiler
A boiler is basically a closed vessel into which water is heated until the water is converted
into steam at required pressure. This is most basic definition of boiler.
Horizontal or Longitudinal or Babcock-Wilcox Water Tube Boiler
Construction of Babcock-Wilcox Boiler
Babcock-Wilcox Boiler is also known as Longitudinal Drum Boiler or Horizontal
Tubes Boiler. In this type of boiler, one cylindrical drum is longitudinally placed
above the heat chamber. In rear of the drum down comer tube is filled and in front of
the drum riser tube is fitted as shown in the figure. These down-comer tube and riser
tube are connected to each other by 5 o to 15o straight water tubes as shown in the
figure.
DESCRIPTION HORIZONTAL OR LONGITUDINAL OR BABCOCK-WILCOX
WATER TUBE BOILER

Horizontal or Longitudinal or Babcock-Wilcox Water Tube Boiler

Construction of Babcock-Wilcox Boiler
Babcock-Wilcox Boiler is also known as Longitudinal Drum Boiler or Horizontal
Tubes Boiler. In this type of boiler, one cylindrical drum is longitudinally placed
above the heat chamber. In rear of the drum down comer tube is filled and in front of
the drum riser tube is fitted as shown in the figure. These down-comer tube and riser
tube are connected to each other by 5 o to 15o straight water tubes as shown in the
figure.
 DESCRIPTION
Working principle of Babcock – Wilcox Boiler depends upon thermonyphon principle.
The longitudinally placed drum as mentioned in the construction of longitudinal drum
boiler, is fed by colder mater at its rear feed water inlet. As the colder water is heavier
it falls down through down-comer fitted at the rear part of the drum. From down-
comer the water enters in to horizontal water tube where it becomes hot and lighter.
As the water becomes lighter, it passes up through these inclined horizontal tubes and
ultimately comes back to the boiler drum through riser. During travelling of water
through inclined water tubes, it absorbs heat of the hot gases, surrounds the water
tube, consequently steam bubbles are created in these tubes. These steam bubbles
then come to the steam drum through riser and naturally separated from water and
occupies the space above the water surface in the longitudinal drum of Babcock –
Wilcox Boiler.
DESCRIPTION-MAIN PARTS:
1. Steam separator drum:
This drum is situated upside of the boiler. It is larger diameter drum in which water and steam placed
together. The one half of the drum is filled with water and the other half is remaining for steam.
 2. Water tubes: Water tubes are situated bottom side of the drum. Water flows from the drum to the
tubes.
 3. Uptake header: Steam separator drum and water tubes are connected by the two tubes. One is known
as uptake header and the other one is known as down take header. The steam from the water tubes to
the drum flow by the uptake header.
 4. Down take header:The water flows form the drum to the water tubes through down take header.
When the steam flows by uptake header to the drum, at the same time water flows from drum to the
water tubes by down take header which maintains the flow of water.
 5. Grate:The place in the furnace, where the fuel is placed and burn known as grate.
 6. Furnace:The furnace is the place where the fuel burns. This is situated at the down side of the water
tubes. When the fuel burns, the flue gases generate. This gases flow upper side and passes through
water tube, which heat the water and convert it into steam.
 7. Super heater:Super heater is situated upper side of the water tube. One end of super heater is
connected to the drum and other end is for process work. Steam flows from the drum to the super
heater, where it heated by the flue gases and send for the process work.
 8. Baffles:Baffles are provided between the water tubes. The main function of baffles is to divert the
flue gases, so it flows more than one time through the tube and more heat is transfer.
 Other mounting like safety valve, blow off valve, fuel door, inspection door, mud box, feed valve, stop
valve, pressure gauge etc. are also provided for safely working of boiler.
 
DIAGRAM-NEATLY LABELLED
CONCLUDE THE DESCRIPTION

A typical description has a brief conclusion that provides an overall summary of the item.
One  common technique for concluding descriptions of some mechanisms and objects
is to state briefly how the parts function together. A professional description usually
has a brief paragraph summarizing the principal steps or discussing the importance
or implications of the process.
DESCRIPTION OF A COMPUTER????
A description can have not only parts or steps but also sub-parts or sub-steps. For example, a
description of a computer system will include the keyboard as one of its main parts. The description
of the keyboard will include the numeric keypad as one of its sub-parts, and a description of the
numeric keypad will include the arrow keys as one of its sub-parts. The same principle applies in
describing processes: if a step has sub-steps, you need to describe who or what performs each sub-step.

STRUCTURING A DESCRIPTION OF AN ITEM 

What is the item? You might start with a sentence definition.
What is the function of the item? If the function is not implicit in the sentence definition, state it:
“Electron microscopes magnify objects that are smaller than the wavelengths of visible light.”
What does the item look like? Sometimes an object is best pictured with both graphics and words.
Include a photograph or drawing if possible. *If you cannot use a graphic, use an analogy or
comparison: “The USB drive is a plastic- or metal­ covered device, about the size of a pack of gum,
with a removable cap that covers the type-A USB connection.” Mention the material, texture, color,
and other physical characteristics, if relevant.
How does the item work? In a few sentences, define the operating principle. Sometimes objects do
not work; they merely exist. For instance, a model has no operating principle.
What are the principal parts of the item? Limit your description to the principal parts. A description of
a bicycle, for instance, would not mention the dozens of nuts and bolts that hold the mechanism
together; it would focus on the chain, gears, pedals, wheels, and frame.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF A MECHANISM/PROCESS—
PHOTOSYNTHESIS, MANUFACTURE OF SULPHURIC ACID...????
• Mechanism descriptions should provide a clear understanding of the object being
described, including
• General appearance and physical properties
• Overall function/purpose
• Component parts
• How the parts interact to create a functioning whole.
• The reader should be able to clearly picture, and therefore understand, the nature of
the object being described, what it does, and how it works.
• In order to achieve this clarity for the reader, the writer must choose significant
details and organize information logically. 
PROCEDURE
Once you have your purpose and audience clearly in focus, draft a description that includes the following
elements:
Definition: What is it, and what is its main purpose?
Overview: Describe the mechanism’s overall appearance (“big picture”).
Components: Describe the main component parts in labelled sections; consider the order of information carefully
here. Create a logical connection between each component described.
Explanation: how do the parts work together to fulfil its function? What key principles govern its functioning?
Consider how much detail is necessary here for your intended audience.
Visuals: include graphics that clearly illustrate the mechanism and/or its parts. Show the device as a whole;
consider showing specific details in expanded views, cut-aways, or labelled diagrams. You may even embed
or link to videos showing the device in action.
Conclusion: depending on the purpose, you might review product’s history, availability, manufacturing, costs,
warnings, etc.)
References: Sources you have used in your description, or additional sources of information available (if
relevant).
SEQUENCE OF IMPORTANCE
Audience and
Who will read this description and why?
Purpose
Definition and What is it? What does it do? What is its
Function purpose?
Describe its overall appearance (shape, size,
Overview
color, etc)
Describe the component parts (chose most
Components and
relevant features) and explain how they
Explanations
work together
•What kind of illustrative graphics will you
use? Where?Diagrams
Visuals •Photographs
•Cut-away views
•Exploded views
Do you need to offer any further
Conclusion information? History? Warnings? Context?
Costs? etc.
Any sources used, or supplemental sources
References
to suggest
ORGANIZATION & LANGUAGE:
Organization: Use a logical principle to organize your description
 Top to bottom (or foundation upward)
 Left to right (or right to left)
 Inside to outside (or outside to inside)
 Most important to least important features
 Central component to peripherals
 Material properties, etc.
Language:  Use specific, precise, concrete terms – avoid vague or overly-general terms
 Use correct terminology – define terms as necessary for your audience
 Use analogy to describe an unfamiliar thing in terms of a familiar thing
 Use objective language – no “ad speak” or subjective terms
 Use present tense, active verbs to describe how the device appears and what it does
 Use words that create vivid and specific pictures in the reader’s mind.
Choose a common, everyday object and draft a technical description for an audience
unfamiliar with the object. Start by imagining a target audience and purpose, and then
try filling in the Technical Description Template with detailed information. Using the
information in your template, draft a short description of 1-2 paragraphs, and add
properly-captioned visuals.
ASSIGNMENT
Thanks