A boiler is a closed vessel that is used to heat fluids such as water. The fluid does not usually have to boil during the heating process. In such cases where the fluid does not actually boil, the term furnace is used more, especially in Sutton, WV. Heating the fluid produces high pressure steam used for various heating processes and applications. Among those applications for which the steam from commercial and industrial boilers is used include central heating, boiler-based power generation and water heating. It is also used for cooking and sanitation.
Today, there are various kinds and models of boilers in use. Material used in construction relies on the type of boiler and the component. Various alloys of steel are used in manufacturing the pressure compartment of a boiler. However, steel cannot be used on wetted parts of a boiler. This is more so, especially for austenitic types of steel. Such steels are vulnerable to corrosion and stress corrosion cracking.
Ferritic stainless steel is often used in making parts that do not come in contact with water. In smaller models and certain applications, copper and brass are used because of how easier they are to fabricate. Historically, copper was used widely, but because of its higher cost, it has become less popular. Steel and other cheaper alternatives are instead taking over. Cast and wrought iron still find use in some applications including domestic water heaters.
Initially, joining of various components on the equipment was done through riveting. However, as steel gained more popularity in the twentieth century over wrought iron, welding took over. The labor force required for welding is way less than one needed for riveting and welding is also faster.
However, there are several advantages associated with wrought iron over steel. First, wrought iron corrodes at a slower rate than steel. Similarly, devices made from this iron are less vulnerable to stress-corrosion and localized pitting. The factors mentioned above makes boilers made from wrought iron to last much longer that their steel counterparts which have parts joined through welding.
Various fuels are often used as sources of heat in a boiler. Some of the most commonly used sources of heat include oil, natural gas, coal, and wood. However, in more recent models due to technological advancements, electric steam models have been produced which rely on immersion-type and/or resistance heating elements. Nuclear fission is also gaining popularity in generation of steam for power generation purposes.
The use and manufacture of these devices needs to be done at high levels of safety. For that reason, there are organizations that set design specifications and regulate standards and codes followed in the industry. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is one such organization that provides rules and directives to ensure compliance in how pressure vessels are designed and produced.
Boilers generate steam that is very effective at transferring energy from one point to another. However, the medium of transfer needs to be suitable if the transfer has to occur well. Poorly designs are susceptible to bursting and become compromised, which can lead to serious accidents. Such accidents are usually catastrophic and can destroy a lot of property and kill many people.
Today, there are various kinds and models of boilers in use. Material used in construction relies on the type of boiler and the component. Various alloys of steel are used in manufacturing the pressure compartment of a boiler. However, steel cannot be used on wetted parts of a boiler. This is more so, especially for austenitic types of steel. Such steels are vulnerable to corrosion and stress corrosion cracking.
Ferritic stainless steel is often used in making parts that do not come in contact with water. In smaller models and certain applications, copper and brass are used because of how easier they are to fabricate. Historically, copper was used widely, but because of its higher cost, it has become less popular. Steel and other cheaper alternatives are instead taking over. Cast and wrought iron still find use in some applications including domestic water heaters.
Initially, joining of various components on the equipment was done through riveting. However, as steel gained more popularity in the twentieth century over wrought iron, welding took over. The labor force required for welding is way less than one needed for riveting and welding is also faster.
However, there are several advantages associated with wrought iron over steel. First, wrought iron corrodes at a slower rate than steel. Similarly, devices made from this iron are less vulnerable to stress-corrosion and localized pitting. The factors mentioned above makes boilers made from wrought iron to last much longer that their steel counterparts which have parts joined through welding.
Various fuels are often used as sources of heat in a boiler. Some of the most commonly used sources of heat include oil, natural gas, coal, and wood. However, in more recent models due to technological advancements, electric steam models have been produced which rely on immersion-type and/or resistance heating elements. Nuclear fission is also gaining popularity in generation of steam for power generation purposes.
The use and manufacture of these devices needs to be done at high levels of safety. For that reason, there are organizations that set design specifications and regulate standards and codes followed in the industry. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is one such organization that provides rules and directives to ensure compliance in how pressure vessels are designed and produced.
Boilers generate steam that is very effective at transferring energy from one point to another. However, the medium of transfer needs to be suitable if the transfer has to occur well. Poorly designs are susceptible to bursting and become compromised, which can lead to serious accidents. Such accidents are usually catastrophic and can destroy a lot of property and kill many people.
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