What Is Marine Boiler? | Principle of Marine Boiler | Types of Marine Boiler

What Is Marine Boiler?

Marine boilers are of two types such as water tube boilers and fire tube boilers. Water-tube-type boilers are used for high-pressure, high-temperature, high-capacity applications.

The main boiler design depends on its application, ie. For motor ships, a small fire-tube boiler would be satisfactory. A boiler is machinery that has been in use since the early days of shipping when there were no auxiliary engines.

During that time, boilers were used to perform all the major functions that propulsion and power-generating systems currently do. With the developments of technology, various types of machines performed important tasks on ships; However, an advanced boiler is still an important part of the engine power plant & cargo operations.

Considering their functionality, the materials used to manufacture the boilers should be such that they can withstand immense steam pressure and extreme temperatures with minimal damage to the surroundings.

Generally, carbon steel is used to construct pressure vessels, which are constructed by the open stove, electric, or pneumatic processes.

Important points to be considered for boiler manufacture is that the strength of the material used is tested according to regulatory requirements. (Note: Check this out if you need boiler and drainage cover)

Also, Read: Working of Simple Vertical Boiler | Construction of Simple Vertical Boiler | Parts of a Simple Vertical Boiler

Principle of Marine Boiler:

The marine boiler works on the simple principle of changing the state of water from liquid to vapor using heat energy. The water is boiled in enclosed pressure vessels so that the steam produced is not lost to the atmosphere.

The heating source is enclosed in insulated furnaces to ensure that heat energy is primarily transferred to the water and not to the surrounding area. Different types of boilers are used on ships depending on their size and type.

Also, Read: Parts of Lamont Boiler | What Is Lamont Boiler? | Working of Lamont Boiler | Construction of Lamont Boiler

Types of Marine Boilers:

#1. Smoke Tube Boiler

As the name suggests, the hot smoke generated in the boiler furnace passes through several tubes surrounded by water in the boiler drum. The heat of smoke in the tubes generates steam. Smoking tube boilers are used in systems with low steam volume and quality. In a ship, smoke tube boilers can be described as – a horizontal or Scotch boiler and a vertical smoking tube boiler.

• Vertical Smoke Tube Boiler:-

Vertical smoke tube boilers are more popular and are usually found on ships. In this boiler arrangement, the furnace is at the bottom of the boiler and connected to the shell through an ogee ring at the bottom.

The furnace is fitted with a refractory, which contains the heat produced inside the furnace & also protects the ogee ring from overheating.

The combustion chambers with tube stacks are located above the furnace, where hot smoke is passed to heat the water drum.

The top of the combustion chambers is supported by a gusset plate that transfers tension to the boiler’s shell. Fire tube boilers are competitive for steams rates up to 12,000 kg/hr and pressure up to 18 kg / cm2. A Fire-tube boiler is available for operation with oil and gas fuel.

• Horizontal Smoke Tube Boiler:-

This is an old type of boiler with a cylindrical furnace surrounded by water inside the shell. In such a boiler, the furnace is cooled with water, has a larger diameter, and is thicker. This leads to thermal stress if the boiler is not operated correctly. Horizontal smoke tube boilers include endplates, as opposed to burner assemblies.

These flat-end plates supported by a large portion of steam remain in the upper part of the boiler. The combustion chamber is supported by staying on top of the girder and stopping the combustion chamber. The mid-section backplate and tube plate are also supported by the stagnation of the combustion chamber.

#2. Water Tube Boiler

A water tube boilers can be defined as steam boilers that consist of the flow of water into the tubes, as well as hot gases. Not like fire tube boilers, these boilers achieve high pressure as well as high-steam capabilities.

Water-tube boilers are 2nd-generation boilers with modifications to the construction and working principle of smoking tube boilers.

The taps inside the boilers are filled with water instead of smoke, and therefore the thermal stress is lower than that produced by the faucet hose boilers. This type of boiler is used where the demand for steam quality and quantity is high.

All high-pressure boilers mainly consist of water tube boilers and mainly consist of 3 important sections:-

• Water Drum:-

It is located at the bottoms of the boiler & carries hot water. The same waters are supplied to the steam drum where steam is produced.

• Steam Drum:-

It is located in the top half of the boiler and is fitted with external and internal mounting, including safety valves and steam stop valves (main and auxiliary) to supply steam to the ship’s system.

• Tubes:-

Modern water tube boilers have different types of water tubes with different functions. The main types are:-

Screen tubes:- Fitted before the superheater, these tubes are adjoining the furnace and absorb the flame as well as heat the generated gas. Since this tube is directly exposed to the heat of the furnace, they are of large diameter to prevent overheating.

Superheater tubes:- They are placed behind a screen tube to carry superheated steam from the boiler.

Generating tubes:- These tubes connect water drums and steam drums. As the name suggests, hot water is transported from the water drum to the steam drum, where steam is produced.

Downcomers:- Downcomers tubes transfer hot water that does not go into the water drum, where the water is heated in the generating tube before the steam goes back into the drum.

#3. Principle of Water Tube Boiler

The water tube boilers work on the principle of convection & radiation. Most modern water tube boiler designs are at very high pressures within a capacity range of 4,500 – 120,000 kg / h. Many water tube boilers used as fuel for oil and/or gas are of “pack” construction.

The main features of water tube boiler are:-

• Forced, driven, and balanced draft provisions help improve combustion efficiency.
• Low tolerance for water quality for water treatment plants.
• High thermal efficiency level.
• high-pressure rating.
• Improved Steam Quality.
• Suitable for large capacity systems.

Also, Read: Lancashire Boiler | Lancashire Boiler Diagram | Steam Boiler Working Principle | Steam Boiler Parts and Function

#4. Composite Boiler

Another most common type of boiler found on ships is composite boilers, where the exhaust heat of the main engines or generator engine is used to heat water or generate steam.

Technically, the composite boiler is an integration of the exhaust gas boiler and the oil-fired boiler. A composite boiler can be a water hose or a smoking tube boiler divided into two separate sections. One part of the boilers is heated by the burner and the other by the exhaust gases produced by the ship’s engine.

#5. Exhaust Gas Boiler

Exhaust gas boilers and economizers are types of heat recovery units and water tube boilers. Flue gases from the exhaust of the engines are used to heat water in tubes at a specific temperature and confined pressure. Circulation pumps are used to continuously circulate hot water into the water tubes of the economizer.

The auxiliary steam boiler acts as a steam separator for the entire system and thus is kept warm and ready to start immediately. When the main engine is running at a high load, the excess steam produced by the economizer is thrown back into the hot well using a steam dump condenser.

The exhaust boiler is provided with a vertical register of double steel tubes with steel gills welded on the tube. It provides a strong, rigid structure and also helps prevent damage caused by vibration.

Since hot gases flow from the boiler trunk to heat the water, the full exhaust boiler suffers from thermal expansion, which is controlled by fitting different tubes and plates. The tube register, tube support, and tube bends are placed in the direction of the flow of exhaust gases.

The tube support is fixed on one side of the inlet and one auxiliary beam on one side of the outlet header. The other end is kept free from the supporting beam for thermal expansion.

Boiler foundations are provided with footplates, which also support the structure and absorb thermal expansion. For additional robustness and support, the style is fitted with a raised eyeball to the steel structure at the top side.

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Difference Between Smoke and Water Tube Boilers:

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Ship Boilers

A boiler is a steel pressure vessel in which water under pressure is converted into steam by the application of combustion. In other words, it is simply a heat exchanger which uses radiant heat and hot flue gases, liberated from burning fuel, to generate steam and hot water for heating and processing loads.

Marine Boiler

Marine boilers are of two types such as water tube boilers and fire tube boilers. Water-tube-type boilers are used for high-pressure, high-temperature, high-capacity applications. The main boiler design depends on its application, ie. For motor ships, a small fire-tube boiler would be satisfactory.

Marine Furnaces

Our marine-quality, Propane (LPG) powered forced air heaters are easily installed to many different types of marine craft, including small boats and yachts, and other vessels. We have specialized marine fitting kits available for our gas furnaces which make installation straightforward, safe, and reliable.

Fire Tube Boiler

A fire-tube boiler is a type of boiler in which hot gases pass from a fire through one or more tubes running through a sealed container of water.

Boiler in Ship

Boiler is a pressure vessel used on ships in which the water is heated to evaporate and generate the steam and the unit is so arranged that the generated steam accumulated in it. The two main types are water tube and fire tube.

Types of Boiler in Ship

Marine Boiler Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips

Proper maintenance and troubleshooting of marine boilers are essential to ensure their efficient and reliable operation. Here are some maintenance and troubleshooting tips for marine boilers:

Maintenance Tips:

1. Regular Inspection: Conduct regular inspections of the boiler, including the burner, controls, valves, and safety devices, to check for any signs of wear, leaks, or malfunctions. Inspect and clean the boiler’s heat transfer surfaces to remove any scale or deposits that can reduce efficiency.
2. Water Quality Management: Monitor and maintain proper water quality within the boiler system. Ensure that the water treatment program is effective in preventing scale, corrosion, and other water-related issues. Regularly test and analyze boiler water for pH, alkalinity, conductivity, and dissolved solids levels.
3. Combustion Efficiency: Regularly check and optimize the combustion process for efficient fuel utilization. Inspect and clean burner components, such as nozzles and electrodes, and adjust fuel-air ratio to achieve optimal combustion efficiency.

Troubleshooting Tips:

1. Check for Fuel Supply: If the boiler fails to ignite or maintain a flame, ensure that an adequate fuel supply is available. Check fuel valves, filters, and strainers for blockages or malfunctions.
2. Water Level Monitoring: Low water level can cause boiler shutdown or damage. Verify that the water level is within the recommended range using the gauge glass or electronic water level control. If the level is low, check for leaks or issues with the feedwater system.
3. Abnormal Noise or Vibration: Unusual noises or vibrations can indicate mechanical issues. Inspect and tighten all connections, supports, and mountings. Check for damaged or worn components such as pumps, motors, and fans.

Marine Boiler Fuel Efficiency Improvements

Improving fuel efficiency in marine boilers is crucial for reducing fuel consumption, operating costs, and environmental impact. Here are some key fuel efficiency improvements that can be implemented for marine boilers:

1. Boiler Design Optimization: Consider selecting or retrofitting boilers with advanced designs that prioritize fuel efficiency. Features such as enhanced heat transfer surfaces, improved combustion chambers, and optimized flow patterns can contribute to higher efficiency.
2. Combustion System Upgrades: Upgrading the combustion system can lead to significant fuel efficiency improvements. This can include installing advanced burners, flame management systems, and combustion control technologies that ensure optimal fuel-air mixing and combustion efficiency.
3. Waste Heat Recovery: Implement waste heat recovery systems to capture and utilize the waste heat from flue gases or exhaust gases. This recovered heat can be used to preheat feedwater, provide additional heating, or generate auxiliary power, thus reducing the need for additional fuel consumption.
4. Exhaust Gas Economizers: Install exhaust gas economizers to recover heat from the engine’s exhaust gases. These economizers transfer the waste heat to the boiler’s feedwater, resulting in reduced fuel consumption for water heating.
5. Energy Management Systems: Implement advanced energy management systems that monitor and optimize the overall energy usage on board the vessel. These systems can integrate and coordinate the operation of various equipment, including boilers, to maximize overall energy efficiency.

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