5 Important Things To Know When Buying An Industrial Boiler
Friday, July 21st, 2017
Boilers are the heart of any industrial operation. This equipment allows your entire company to run and if it fails, your whole operation can be halted until it is repaired or replaced. A failed industrial boiler can potentially cost your company thousands of dollars. With so much at stake, you must get the right boiler, at the right price, for the right operations. However, boilers come in hundreds of different models, sizes, and operations, so how can you determine which one is best for your company? Here are five guidelines you can follow to ensure that you purchase the right industrial boiler for your needs.
Sizes of industrial boilers
Boilers come in many different sizes. The size of a boiler determines the amount of steam or hot water that is used to meet “occupant” demands. The occupant is the amount of heat that is required by the owner of the boiler. Oversized boilers are expensive to run, while undersized units are unable to meet many temperature requirements. Prior to purchasing an industrial boiler, take measurements to estimate how much space you will need to heat or what you will need to produce using steam.
Types of boilers
There are three main types of industrial boilers: fire tube boilers, water tube boilers, and firebox boilers. Each of these types is configurable to a specific application. Furthermore, you can integrate supporting technologies, such as heat sinks or heat transfer enhancements to further enhance your boiler’s capabilities.
Fire tube boilers are the cheapest of the three types and are relatively easy to clean and maintain. However, they are unable to produce high heat, pressure, or amounts of steam. Fire tube boilers are used for industrial process heating and for heating large spaces.
Water tube boilers are the opposite of fire tubes and are the most expensive of all the types. They are also difficult to clean and maintain. However, water tube boilers produce the most steam and highest amount of heat, which makes them ideal for extreme operations.
Finally, firebox boilers are the standard use boilers. The “firebox” is where the heat is located and produces hot gas to pass through the tubes and heat the fluid. The firebox boiler is a reliable machine, but is limited in its design.
Fuel for your industrial boiler
Industrial boilers need fuel to generate heat and steam. This equipment can utilize a variety of fuel sources including propane gas, natural gas, coal, oil, electricity, hot water, and steam. You should only acquire an industrial boiler if you can readily access the fuel that it requires.
Operational specifications
Before to purchasing an industrial boiler, make sure you are familiar with its thermal efficiency, temperature, heat output capacity, and maximum pressure. You need to know the operational specifications of your company and your boiler to ensure that the two are compatible.
Additional features that enhance your boiler
Finally, industrial boilers also come with various additional features. De-aerators, for example, are used to remove excess oxygen from the water, safety valves, superheaters, and economizers. Ask yourself if your company needs additional features, or if a base model boiler will be sufficient. You should also consider how you would use the boiler and if the model you want is right for your operations.
Never make a rushed decision to purchase an industrial boiler. These machines can be costly and dangerous if not used properly. You do not want to risk a facility shutdown or injuries because you selected the wrong boiler. You can maximize the efficiency of your boiler by selecting the right model and size, and correctly installing it on your property.
If you need assistance selecting the right industrial boiler and installing it correctly, the professionals at Allen’s Tri-State Mechanical in Amarillo, Texas can help. We provide industrial, commercial, and residential services throughout the Texas Panhandle and Tri-State area. You can call us at (806) 376-8345 or Contact Us by email to learn more. You can also visit us in person at 404 S. Hayden St. in Amarillo to see how we can help you.