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Technical Tips & Information
Real World Boiler Efficiency
Fuel to steam efficiency is the comparison of fuel BTUs consumed by the boiler compared to the steam BTUs delivered by the boiler and is typically in the low 70% range. Combustion efficiency looks at the amount of air (oxygen) required to maintain the most efficient burning of the fuel and typically measures 79-81%.Radiation losses from a boiler are a function of the exterior surface area of the boiler and boiler shell insulation. For a new boiler radiation losses are typically 2-3% of the boilers size. As an example, if a boiler is rated to produce 10,000 lb/hr of steam, the radiation losses from the boiler would be equivalent of 200-300 lb/hr of steam. The radiation loss for a boiler remains constant so if the same boiler is operating at a 50% load factor which would mean that the boiler is delivering 5,000 lb/hr, the radiation losses would double to 4-6%.
In-service efficiency takes into account these factors, the operating usage, boiler condition, and boiler loads to arrive at a total fuel used as compared to steam produced ration. The in-service efficiency is best reviewed on the basis of a month of boiler operations. Typical in-service efficiencies range from 40-75%. To calculate your in-service efficiency, the total fuel and steam consumptions for the month are required.
Factors which affect in-service efficiency include-
1. Operating boilers in load ranges of less than 45% firing rate.
2. Operating multiple boilers at low firing rates.
3. Operating multiple boilers without a lead lag system to match the boilers in-service to the connected load.
Miura boilers are designed to work in a modular concept to match your load requirements and will typically offer in-service efficiencies of as high as 85%. State of the art PLC controls on each boiler combined with a master lead lag PLC based controller insures that just the right combination of boilers are on line to meet your requirements.
If new steam or hot water boilers are on your shopping list, give us a call for the complete story about Miura Boilers.