Boiler - Revision history

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2026-08-04T20:43:45Z

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energy>Jmdonev at 21:47, 3 July 2026

2026-07-03T21:47:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:47, 3 July 2026
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	[[Category:Done ~~2018~~-06-15]]		[[Category:Done 2026-08-01]]
	[[File:boilerflame.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Thermal power is supplied by a fuel to a boiler.<ref>Shehal Joseph via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shehal/1167585170</ref>]]		[[File:boilerflame.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Thermal power is supplied by a fuel to a boiler.<ref>Shehal Joseph via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shehal/1167585170</ref>]]

	<onlyinclude>'''Boilers''' ~~are used in [[power plant]]s in order to~~ produce [[pressure\|high pressured]] steam, so ~~that the plant can~~ generate [[electricity]]. The process that does this is known as the [[Rankine cycle]]. The boiler takes in [[energy]] from some form of [[fuel]] such as [[coal]], [[natural gas]], or [[nuclear fuel]] to [[heat]] [[water]] into [[steam]].</onlyinclude> All but a small fraction of the world's [[primary energy]] comes from fuels, and about three-quarters of that fuel ends up going into a boiler (the remainder goes into [[internal combustion engine]]s, which use the fuel differently).<Ref name=boilers>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Coal," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.5, pp.166-169</ref>		<onlyinclude>'''Boilers''' produce [[pressure\|high pressured]] steam so power plants generate [[electricity]]. The process that does this is known as the [[Rankine cycle]]. The boiler takes in [[energy]] from some form of [[fuel]] such as [[coal]], [[natural gas]], or [[nuclear fuel]] to [[heat]] [[water]] into [[steam]].</onlyinclude> All but a small fraction of the world's [[primary energy]] comes from fuels, and about three-quarters of that fuel ends up going into a boiler (the remainder goes into [[internal combustion engine]]s, which use the fuel differently).<Ref name=boilers>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Coal," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.5, pp.166-169</ref>

	The design of a boiler is an incredibly important factor in the [[power]] plant's [[efficiency]]. Three centuries of development have led to the steam-producing boilers today, which produce thousands of [[tonne]]s of steam per hour, and have a fuel-to-steam efficiency as high as 90%.<Ref name=heat>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Heat to motive power," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.6, pp.203</ref> Better design means a lower fuel requirement, lower costs and lower [[emission]]s of [[pollutant]]s.<ref name=boilers/> The study and innovation of boilers is useful because although they are very efficient, their waste products create some of the world's major pollution problems by emitting [[greenhouse gas]]es.		The design of a boiler is an incredibly important factor in the [[power]] plant's [[efficiency]]. Three centuries of development have led to the steam-producing boilers today, which produce thousands of [[tonne]]s of steam per hour, and have a fuel-to-steam efficiency as high as 90%.<Ref name=heat>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Heat to motive power," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.6, pp.203</ref> Better design means a lower fuel requirement, lower costs and lower [[emission]]s of [[pollutant]]s.<ref name=boilers/> The study and innovation of boilers is useful because although they are very efficient, their waste products create some of the world's major pollution problems by emitting [[greenhouse gas]]es.

Jmdonev: 1 revision imported

2018-06-25T14:30:30Z

1 revision imported

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Jmdonev at 17:02, 13 June 2018

2018-06-13T17:02:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 13 June 2018
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	[[Category:Done ~~2015~~-09-06]]		[[Category:Done 2018-06-15]]
	[[File:boilerflame.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Thermal power is supplied by a fuel to a boiler.<ref>Shehal Joseph via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shehal/1167585170</ref>]]		[[File:boilerflame.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Thermal power is supplied by a fuel to a boiler.<ref>Shehal Joseph via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shehal/1167585170</ref>]]

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	*'''Grate boiler'''- Coal or other solid fuels like [[biomass]] about a few millimeters in diameter are fed into the boiler from a hopper or conveyor belt. They move across a grate, which has air flowing from underneath into the boiler. The fixed carbon burns on the grate, and the volatile gas burns in the space above. These types are most commonly used for biomass and coal.<ref name=boilers/>		*'''Grate boiler:''' Coal or other solid fuels like [[biomass]] (about a few millimeters in diameter) are fed into the boiler from a hopper or conveyor belt. They move across a grate, which has air flowing from underneath into the boiler. The fixed carbon burns on the grate, and the volatile gas burns in the space above. These types are most commonly used for biomass and coal.<ref name=boilers/>

	*'''Pulverized fuel boiler'''- Coal is pulverized into a fine dust (about 0.1 mm in size), and is fed into the boiler in a stream of air. They are by far the most common boiler types for coal. These boilers can reach efficiencies over 90% when they are well run. They can be co-fired with wood or other suitable fuels as well. Since the fuel being burnt is a fine dust, the ash produced is also a fine dust, which, unless filtered properly, can escape with flue gases and pollute the [[atmosphere]].<ref name=boilers/>		*'''Pulverized fuel boiler:''' Coal is pulverized into a fine dust (about 0.1 mm in size), and is fed into the boiler in a stream of air. They are by far the most common boiler types for coal. These boilers can reach efficiencies of over 90% when they are well run. They can be co-fired with wood or other suitable fuels as well. Since the fuel being burnt is a fine dust, the ash produced is also a fine dust, which, unless filtered properly, can escape with flue gases and pollute the [[atmosphere]].<ref name=boilers/>

	*'''Fluidized bed boiler'''- These offer solutions to some of the pollution problems of coal combustion. There is a thick layer of ~~material - sand~~ or ~~gravel - that~~ lies on a base plate, through which streams of air are blown. As the air gets to higher [[speed]]s, the material begins to behave like a liquid, and objects will float on or sink in it. Fuel particles are fed into this "bed" ~~and~~ the fixed carbon and volatile gas ~~will~~ burn quickly and heat the entire bed. The tubes carrying the water and steam are contained in the bed, and because the bed is moving like a liquid this maximizes thermal contact with the pipes, and allows for greater heat transfer. The ash is able to flow out of the bed, separate from the flue gases.		*'''Fluidized bed boiler:''' These offer solutions to some of the pollution problems of coal combustion. There is a thick layer of material—sand or gravel—that lies on a base plate, through which streams of air are blown. As the air gets to higher [[speed]]s, the material begins to behave like a liquid, and objects will float on or sink in it. Fuel particles are fed into this "bed" causing the fixed carbon and volatile gas to burn quickly and heat the entire bed. The tubes carrying the water and steam are contained in the bed, and because the bed is moving like a liquid, this maximizes thermal contact with the pipes and allows for greater heat transfer. The ash is able to flow out of the bed, separate from the flue gases.

	===Nuclear===		===Nuclear===

	*'''Light water'''- The majority of [[nuclear reactor]]s use ordinary (light) water or steam under high pressure as both the [[moderation\|moderator]] and coolant. There are two main types of light water reactors: [[Pressurized water reactor]]s (PWR) and [[Boiling water reactor]]s (BWR).<Ref name=nuc>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Nuclear power" in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.10, pp.407-414</ref>		*'''Light water:''' The majority of [[nuclear reactor]]s use ordinary (light) water or steam under high pressure as both the [[moderation\|moderator]] and coolant. There are two main types of light water reactors: [[Pressurized water reactor]]s (PWR) and [[Boiling water reactor]]s (BWR).<Ref name=nuc>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Nuclear power" in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.10, pp.407-414</ref>

	*'''Gas-cooled'''- Reactors like the [[Magnox reactor]] use graphite as moderator, and [[carbon dioxide]] as coolant. They use natural [[uranium]], meaning that it does not have to be [[nuclear power#Enrichment\|enriched]]. Advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) also use graphite and CO<sub>2</sub>, but the uranium is enriched.<ref name=nuc/>		*'''Gas-cooled:''' Reactors like the [[Magnox reactor]] use graphite as moderator, and [[carbon dioxide]] as coolant. They use natural [[uranium]], meaning that it does not have to be [[nuclear power#Enrichment\|enriched]]. Advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) also use graphite and CO<sub>2</sub>, but the uranium is enriched.<ref name=nuc/>

	*'''Heavy water'''- The [[CANDU reactor]]s (Canadian-deuterium-uranium) are the only other type of reactor to make some inroad into the dominance of the light water reactors. There are ~~about 20~~ plants operating in Canada ~~and around the world~~, ~~and they also use natural uranium like the Magnox~~. Heavy water absorbs less [[neutron]]s than light water, which results in a high [[neutron economy]].<ref name=nuc/>		*'''Heavy water:''' The [[CANDU reactor]]s (Canadian-deuterium-uranium) are the only other type of reactor to make some inroad into the dominance of the light water reactors and use natural uranium like Magnox. There are 31 plants operating worldwide (18 of those are in Canada). <ref>"CANDU technology - Canadian Nuclear Association", Canadian Nuclear Association, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://cna.ca/technology/energy/candu-technology/. [Accessed: 12- Jun- 2018].</ref> Heavy water absorbs less [[neutron]]s than light water, which results in a high [[neutron economy]].<ref name=nuc/>

	*'''RBMK'''- Designed in Russia, the [[RBMK]] uses graphite as its moderator and light water as its coolant. They use enriched uranium like most other reactors. The Chernobyl reactors were of this type, and after the disaster in 1986 the plans to make any more were scrapped, and many plants were decommissioned.<ref name=nuc/>		*'''RBMK:''' Designed in Russia, the [[RBMK]] uses graphite as its moderator and light water as its coolant. They use enriched uranium like most other reactors. The [[Chernobyl nuclear accident\|Chernobyl reactors were of this type, and after the disaster in 1986 the plans to make any more were scrapped, and many plants were decommissioned.<ref name=nuc/>


	[[File:BoilingWaterReactor.gif\|200px\|center\|framed\|Figure 2. A [[boiling water reactor]], the boiler (contained in the Reactor Vessel) produces steam to generate electricity.<ref>http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students/animated-bwr.html</ref>]]		[[File:BoilingWaterReactor.gif\|200px\|center\|framed\|Figure 2. A [[boiling water reactor]], the boiler (contained in the Reactor Vessel) produces steam to generate electricity.<ref>http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students/animated-bwr.html</ref>]]

			==For Further Reading==
			*[[Power plant]]
			*[[Coal fired power plant]]
			*[[Nuclear power plant]]

	==References==		==References==
	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}
	[[Category:Uploaded]]		[[Category:Uploaded]]

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-09-18T16:50:56Z

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Jmdonev at 19:54, 3 September 2015

2015-09-03T19:54:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:54, 3 September 2015
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	[[Category:Done 2015-06~~-11~~]]		[[Category:Done 2015-09-06]]
	[[File:boilerflame.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Thermal power is supplied by a fuel to a boiler.<ref>Shehal Joseph via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shehal/1167585170</ref>]]		[[File:boilerflame.jpg\|300px\|thumb\|Figure 1. Thermal power is supplied by a fuel to a boiler.<ref>Shehal Joseph via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shehal/1167585170</ref>]]

	<onlyinclude>'''Boilers''' are used in [[power plant]]s in order to produce [[pressure\|high pressured]] steam, so that the plant can generate [[electricity]]. The process that does this is known as the [[Rankine cycle]]. The boiler takes in [[energy]] from some form of [[fuel]] such as [[coal]], [[natural gas]], or [[nuclear fuel]] to heat [[water]] into steam.</onlyinclude> All but a small fraction of the world's [[primary energy]] comes from fuels, and about three-quarters of that fuel ends up going into a boiler (the remainder goes into [[internal combustion engine]]s, which use the fuel differently).<Ref name=boilers>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Coal," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.5, pp.166-169</ref>		<onlyinclude>'''Boilers''' are used in [[power plant]]s in order to produce [[pressure\|high pressured]] steam, so that the plant can generate [[electricity]]. The process that does this is known as the [[Rankine cycle]]. The boiler takes in [[energy]] from some form of [[fuel]] such as [[coal]], [[natural gas]], or [[nuclear fuel]] to [[heat]] [[water]] into [[steam]].</onlyinclude> All but a small fraction of the world's [[primary energy]] comes from fuels, and about three-quarters of that fuel ends up going into a boiler (the remainder goes into [[internal combustion engine]]s, which use the fuel differently).<Ref name=boilers>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Coal," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.5, pp.166-169</ref>

	The design of a boiler is an incredibly important factor in the power plant's [[efficiency]]. Three centuries of development have led to the steam-producing boilers today, which produce thousands of [[tonne]]s of steam per hour, and have a fuel-to-steam efficiency as high as 90%.<Ref name=heat>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Heat to motive power," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.6, pp.203</ref> Better design means a lower fuel requirement, lower costs and lower [[emission]]s of [[pollutant]]s.<ref name=boilers/> The study and innovation of boilers is useful because although they are very efficient, their waste products create some of the world's major pollution problems by emitting [[greenhouse gas]]es.		The design of a boiler is an incredibly important factor in the [[power]] plant's [[efficiency]]. Three centuries of development have led to the steam-producing boilers today, which produce thousands of [[tonne]]s of steam per hour, and have a fuel-to-steam efficiency as high as 90%.<Ref name=heat>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Heat to motive power," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.6, pp.203</ref> Better design means a lower fuel requirement, lower costs and lower [[emission]]s of [[pollutant]]s.<ref name=boilers/> The study and innovation of boilers is useful because although they are very efficient, their waste products create some of the world's major pollution problems by emitting [[greenhouse gas]]es.

	===Design considerations===		===Design considerations===

J.williams: 1 revision imported

2015-08-26T21:30:52Z

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J.williams at 16:51, 12 August 2015

2015-08-12T16:51:33Z

New page

[[Category:Done 2015-06-11]]
[[File:boilerflame.jpg|300px|thumb|Figure 1. Thermal power is supplied by a fuel to a boiler.<ref>Shehal Joseph via Flickr [Online], Available: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shehal/1167585170</ref>]]

<onlyinclude>'''Boilers''' are used in [[power plant]]s in order to produce [[pressure|high pressured]] steam, so that the plant can generate [[electricity]]. The process that does this is known as the [[Rankine cycle]]. The boiler takes in [[energy]] from some form of [[fuel]] such as [[coal]], [[natural gas]], or [[nuclear fuel]] to heat [[water]] into steam.</onlyinclude> All but a small fraction of the world's [[primary energy]] comes from fuels, and about three-quarters of that fuel ends up going into a boiler (the remainder goes into [[internal combustion engine]]s, which use the fuel differently).<Ref name=boilers>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Coal," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.5, pp.166-169</ref>

The design of a boiler is an incredibly important factor in the power plant's [[efficiency]]. Three centuries of development have led to the steam-producing boilers today, which produce thousands of [[tonne]]s of steam per hour, and have a fuel-to-steam efficiency as high as 90%.<Ref name=heat>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Heat to motive power," in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.6, pp.203</ref> Better design means a lower fuel requirement, lower costs and lower [[emission]]s of [[pollutant]]s.<ref name=boilers/> The study and innovation of boilers is useful because although they are very efficient, their waste products create some of the world's major pollution problems by emitting [[greenhouse gas]]es.

===Design considerations===

The main goal when designing a boiler is to extract as much of the energy from the fuel as possible. To do so, both the fixed [[carbon]] and [[volatile]] matter must be burned completely. Since one part is [[solid]] and the other [[gas]], this task is not easy.<ref name=boilers/> The boiler must be at very high [[temperature]]s, anywhere near [[celsius|500<sup>o</sup>C]], and must burn the fuel continuously at a constant rate.

Another factor in optimizing design is to get the best possible [[heat transfer]] from the fuel to the water and steam. Boilers will often have several separate [[heat exchanger]]s to do so.

A final important design consideration is minimizing undesirable by-products in the form of ash and flue gas which pollute the [[environment]].

==Types==

===Solid fuel===

*'''Grate boiler'''- Coal or other solid fuels like [[biomass]] about a few millimeters in diameter are fed into the boiler from a hopper or conveyor belt. They move across a grate, which has air flowing from underneath into the boiler. The fixed carbon burns on the grate, and the volatile gas burns in the space above. These types are most commonly used for biomass and coal.<ref name=boilers/>

*'''Pulverized fuel boiler'''- Coal is pulverized into a fine dust (about 0.1 mm in size), and is fed into the boiler in a stream of air. They are by far the most common boiler types for coal. These boilers can reach efficiencies over 90% when they are well run. They can be co-fired with wood or other suitable fuels as well. Since the fuel being burnt is a fine dust, the ash produced is also a fine dust, which, unless filtered properly, can escape with flue gases and pollute the [[atmosphere]].<ref name=boilers/>

*'''Fluidized bed boiler'''- These offer solutions to some of the pollution problems of coal combustion. There is a thick layer of material - sand or gravel - that lies on a base plate, through which streams of air are blown. As the air gets to higher [[speed]]s, the material begins to behave like a liquid, and objects will float on or sink in it. Fuel particles are fed into this "bed" and the fixed carbon and volatile gas will burn quickly and heat the entire bed. The tubes carrying the water and steam are contained in the bed, and because the bed is moving like a liquid this maximizes thermal contact with the pipes, and allows for greater heat transfer. The ash is able to flow out of the bed, separate from the flue gases.

===Nuclear===

*'''Light water'''- The majority of [[nuclear reactor]]s use ordinary (light) water or steam under high pressure as both the [[moderation|moderator]] and coolant. There are two main types of light water reactors: [[Pressurized water reactor]]s (PWR) and [[Boiling water reactor]]s (BWR).<Ref name=nuc>B. Everett, G. Boyle, S. Peake and J. Ramage, "Nuclear power" in ''Energy Systems and Sustainability'', 2nd ed., Oxford, UK: Oxford, 2013, ch.10, pp.407-414</ref>

*'''Gas-cooled'''- Reactors like the [[Magnox reactor]] use graphite as moderator, and [[carbon dioxide]] as coolant. They use natural [[uranium]], meaning that it does not have to be [[nuclear power#Enrichment|enriched]]. Advanced gas-cooled reactors (AGRs) also use graphite and CO<sub>2</sub>, but the uranium is enriched.<ref name=nuc/>

*'''Heavy water'''- The [[CANDU reactor]]s (Canadian-deuterium-uranium) are the only other type of reactor to make some inroad into the dominance of the light water reactors. There are about 20 plants operating in Canada and around the world, and they also use natural uranium like the Magnox. Heavy water absorbs less [[neutron]]s than light water, which results in a high [[neutron economy]].<ref name=nuc/>

*'''RBMK'''- Designed in Russia, the [[RBMK]] uses graphite as its moderator and light water as its coolant. They use enriched uranium like most other reactors. The Chernobyl reactors were of this type, and after the disaster in 1986 the plans to make any more were scrapped, and many plants were decommissioned.<ref name=nuc/>

[[File:BoilingWaterReactor.gif|200px|center|framed|Figure 2. A [[boiling water reactor]], the boiler (contained in the Reactor Vessel) produces steam to generate electricity.<ref>http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/basic-ref/students/animated-bwr.html</ref>]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}
[[Category:Uploaded]]