Important Terms for Steam Boilers

Important Terms for Steam Boilers:

Though there are many terms used in steam boilers, yet the following are important from the subject point of view:

⤷ Boiler Shell:

🔹 It is made up of steel plates bent into cylindrical form and riveted or welded together.

🔹 The ends of the shell are closed by means of end plates.

🔹 A boiler shell should have sufficient capacity to contain water and steam.

⤷ Combustion Chamber:

🔹 It is the space, generally below the boiler shell, meant for burning fuel in order to produce steam from the water contained in the shell.

⤷ Grate:

🔹 It is a platform, in the combustion chamber, upon which fuel (coal, wood) is burnt.

🔹 The grate generally consists of cast iron bars which are spaced apart so that air (required for combustion) can pass through them.

🔹 The surface area of the grate, over which the fire takes place is called grate surface.

⤷ Furnace:

🔹 It is the space, above the grate and below the boiler shell, in which the fuel actually burnt.

🔹 The furnace is also called fire box.

⤷ Heating Surface:

🔹 It is that part of the boiler surface, which is exposed to the fire (or hot gases from the fire)

⤷ Mountings:

🔹 These are the fittings which are mounted on the boiler for its proper and safe functioning.

🔹 It may be noted that a boiler cannot function safely without the mountings.

⤷ Accessories:

🔹 These are the devices, which form an integral part of a boiler, but are not mounted on it.

🔹 They include superheat, economizer, feed pump etc. It may be noted that the accessories help in controlling and running the boiler efficiency.