Continuous Assessment Cover Sheet

Faculty of
Engineering
Module Details
Module Code ME2041 Module Title Thermodynamics
Program: SLIIT/Curtin/SHU/ Course: BSc/ BEng/
Stream: Civil/ Electronics/ Mechanical/ Mechatronics

Assessment details
Title STEAM BOILER Group assignment Yes
If yes, Group No. 5
Lecturer/ Instructor Date of Performance 08/09/2021
Due date 10/09/2021 Date submitted 10/09/2021

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ID Number Name (As per the institute records)
EN20403560 Wijerathne P.S.M
EN20401412 Perera P. N. D
EN20402884 Lokuliyana L. W. D. T
EN20403256 Jayawickrama P.I

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 SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Faculty of Engineering

Thermodynamics (ME2041)

B.Sc. Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering

Lab 01- STEAM BOILER

GROUP MEMBERS.
EN20401412 Perera P. N. D
EN20402884 Lokuliyana L. W. D. T
EN20403256 Jayawickrama P.I
EN20403560 Wijerathne P.S.M

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Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Apparatus ...................................................................................................................................... 6
3. Theory ............................................................................................................................................ 7
4. Experimental procedure ............................................................................................................... 7
GENERAL START UP PROCEDURE: ........................................................................................ 7
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: ................................................................................................ 7
GENERAL SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE: ................................................................................... 8
5. Observations and Results ............................................................................................................. 9
6. Discussion..................................................................................................................................... 11
Introduction to Boilers and Types of Boilers ............................................................................... 11
Brief explanation on the operation of a Boiler ............................................................................. 20
The safety of Boilers ....................................................................................................................... 21
Relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated steam in the experiment ... 24
Introduction to Steam Plant .......................................................................................................... 24
7. Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 26
8. Reference ..................................................................................................................................... 26

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 1. Introduction

What’s a Steam Boiler

Steam boilers are generally a type of enclosed container made of steel to heat water to generate
steam from an energy source such as a fuel burner. The generated steam can be supplied to the
sugar mills for industrial progress in the cotton mills and to the evaporative water generation
at low pressure, which can be used for very low power heating fittings. The capacity of the
boiler should be ten liters of water and the working pressure should be 3.4 Kgf / cm2 (kg-
power).
A steam boiler can be introduced as a power-generating device used to generate steam by
applying thermal energy to water. The pressure range of the previous boilers ranged from low
pressure to medium pressure (7 kPa to 2000 kPa / 1psi to 290 psi). Modern boilers are useful
because they operate at higher pressures than older ones. These boilers are used extensively
when a steam source is required and the size and type depend mainly on the type of application
including convenient engines such as mobile steam engines, steam locomotives and road
vehicles. These vehicles include small steam-powered boilers. Usually, power plants or
stationary steam engines have a separate large steam generating capacity.
The main function of a steam boiler is to produce, store, and disrupt vapor. Liquid boilers are
nothing more than a shell, which carries the heat energy produced during combustion to water
and then converts it into steam at the required pressure as well as temperature. The main
condition of this boiler is to lock the water vessel very carefully. Water vapor should be
supplied under the desired conditions of quality, ratio, pressure and temperature.
The main working principle of a steam boiler is simple. This boiler is a type of appliance closed
in a cylindrical shape. The capacity of the boiler to evaporate as well as the water is sufficient.
Typically, liquids are stored in boilers to generate steam by burning fuel or by applying thermal
energy under different conditions of pressure depending on the volume and specifications of
the air. Finally, the steam from the boiler is piped to various industries, such as plants. The
main components of this boiler are mainly shell, furnace, grate, fittings, water space,
accessories, refectory, water level, scale, foaming, lagging, and blowing off.

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 Advantages of Steam boilers Disadvantages of Steam boilers

It occupies less floor area. It requires high headspace

It is portable. The design of the steam boiler is vertical, so

the capacity of steam rising is low.
The construction cost of these boilers is low. It has limited pressure and capacity.

It occupies less floor area. It requires high headspace

Table 1 Advantages and disadvantages

Marcet Boiler
The Marcet Boiler is the unit that demonstrates the basic principle of the study of
thermodynamics, the boiling phenomenon. Initially, the phenomenon was discovered by
Rudolf Clausius, a German physicist who was a power icon in thermodynamics. Marcet Boilers
is a device used to understand the basic properties of saturated steam of overheated steam. It
consists of cylinders surrounded by isolated material in an electrically heated boiler that is used
to heat water and to measure both temperature and pressure. Marcet Boilers also have a
thermometer, barometer and safety valve. The saturation curve can be gained at a pressure
within 10 bar.

Figure 1: Marcet boiler

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 2. Apparatus

Figure 2: Marcet boiler Parts

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 3. Theory
The Marcet boiler examines the pressure to the temperature of saturated steam at any pressure
between the atmosphere and a 14bar, in balance with water. Three state variables: absolute
pressure (P), volume (V), and absolute temperature describe an ideal Gas (T). The connection
of these may be derived from the theory of kinetic and is called the ideal gas law. Originally,
the ideal gas law was empirically defined.

4. Experimental procedure

GENERAL START UP PROCEDURE:

1. Initially a visual inspection was carried out to make sure that the unit is in proper
condition to start the operation.
2. Next while keeping the valves V-1 and V-2 opened, the drain valve was closed.
3. Then the boiler was filled with water until the water level reaches valve V-1. The water
level was measured using a dry rod to make sure that the water level doesn’t exceed the
level of valve V-2.
4. Next the V-1 and V-2 valves were closed.
5. Then the power plug was connected to the distribution box.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

1. The mains On-Off Switch was turned on.

2. Next the temperature set-point was set to 200 °C.
3. Then wait till the water boils and steam generation begins. The pressure increases as
the steam is being generated.
4. It could be clearly seen that the gauge pointer started to rise above 0 mark.
5. While this procedure continues the steam outlet valve was opened momentarily to send
out the trapped air from the boiler. It was then closed as soon as steam starts to come
out of the valve.
6. Next within an interval of 0.5 or 1 Kg/cm up to 15 Kg/cm² the temperature and pressure
of steam was noted down.

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GENERAL SHUT DOWN PROCEDURE:

1. After completing the tasks, the mains switch must be switched off and the electric power
supply should be disconnected.
2. Then valve V-1 was slightly opened to let the steam go out gradually.
3. When steam is released gradually, steam temperature and pressure will start to decrease.
4. Next the boiler was allowed to cool down till it reaches the room temperature.
5. Finally, water should be drained from the boiler.

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 5. Observations and Results

Test No Temperature (C) Pressure (kg/cm2) Temperature(K) Pressure (Pa) [x105]

1 90 5 363 4.903325
2 92 5 365 4.903325
3 94 5.2 367 5.099458
4 95 5.5 368 5.3936575
5 97 5.5 370 5.3936575
6 98 5.6 371 5.491724
7 99 5.8 372 5.687857
8 100 6 373 5.88399

Table 2 observations and results (steam)

Steam Table(Pressure Vs. Temperature)

7

5.88399
6 5.687857
5.3936575 5.491724
5.3936575
5.099458
4.903325 4.903325
5

2
Pressure(Pa)
[x10^5]
1

0
362 364 366 368 370 372 374
Temperature(K)

Graph 1 Pressure vs Temperature for steam

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 Test No Temperature (C) Pressure (kg/cm2) Temperature(K) Pressure (Pa)[x105]
1 105 1.9 378 1.8632635
2 106 2.4 379 2.353596
3 107 2.7 380 2.6477955
4 108 3.3 381 3.2361945
5 109 3.7 382 3.6284605
6 110 4.1 383 4.0207265
7 111 4.6 384 4.511059
8 112 4.9 385 4.8052585

Table 3 Observations for steam

Steam Table(Pressure Vs. Temperature)

6

4.8052585
5 4.511059
4.0207265
4 3.6284605
3.2361945

3 2.6477955 Pressure(Pa) [x10^5]

2.353596
Linear (Pressure(Pa) [x10^5])
1.8632635
2

0
377 378 379 380 381 382 383 384 385 386
Temperature(K)

Graph 2 Pressure vs Temperature (Steam)

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 6. Discussion

Introduction to Boilers and Types of Boilers

A boiler is an enclosed vessel that allows for combustion and heat transmission to water, resulting in
hot water or steam. The purpose of a boiler is to create either hot water or steam. Boilers, steam engines
and other heaters were initially mainly used for pumping water from low-carbon mines and
subsequently industrial development, in other words industrial revolution, improved and increased the
scale of boilers to use steam power to drive cotton mills and blow furnace furnaces and, in particular,
steam navigation. Boilers have been evolved in line with the growth of industrial industries, with several
difficulties for building high efficiency high-performing steam power, substantially increased by steam
turbine technology and electricity production and distribution through the network system. Hot water
boilers heat water for heating and hot water delivery in homes and industry level. As this boiler work
with extremely high pressure and high temperatures we should work very carefully as it is explosive.
There are six main basic parts of a boiler.

1. Burner
2. Combustion space
3. Convection section
4. Stack
5. Air fans
6. Controls and accessories
There are different types of boilers available.

Figure 3: Boiler mechanism

Considering different types of boilers can be categorized into 5 main types

1. According to the content of the tubes

• Fire tube boiler
In the fireplace in the fire pipe there is fire or hot gas, and water is circled in
certain fires. Since fire is inside the pipes, the fire tube is therefore referred to
as

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 a boiler. The heat of the heated gasses flows into the water through the tube walls.
Cochran boiler, Lancashire boiler, Cornish boiler, Locomotive boiler, Scotch
marine boiler and Velcon boiler are some of the examples for this type.

• Water tube boiler

This type of boilers contain water inside and fire or hot gases surround these water
tubes. As examples for water tube boilers La-Mount boiler, Benson boiler,
Stirling boiler, Babcock and wilcox boilers can be pointed out.

2. According to the number of tubes

Boilers can be categorised according to the number of tubes it has. And there are two types Single
tube boiler and Multitubular boiler.

• Single tube boiler

Boilers which contain one fire tube or one water tube are called as single tube boilers.
Examples for these types of boilers are,

 Cornish boiler
 Simple vertical boiler
• Multitubular boiler
Boilers which contain two or more water tubes or fire tubes are called as Multitubular
boilers. Below boilers can be taken as the examples for this kind of boilers.

 Lancashire boiler
 Locomotive boiler
 Cochran boiler
 Babcok
 Wilcox
3. According to the position of the furnace
Furnace is a main part of a boiler. And these furnaces can be position in different places of the
boiler. There are two positions where a furnace can be positioned in a boiler. One is internally fired
boilers and the other one is externally fired boilers.

• Internally fired boilers

Boilers which have the furnace inside of the boiler shell are called as internally fired
boilers. Most of the tube boilers are internally fired boilers

• Externally fired boilers

The furnace located outside of the boiler shell are called as externally fired boilers.
Water tube boilers are externally fired boilers

4. According to the methods of circulation of water and steam

• Natural circulation boiler
Natural circulation boilers circulate water naturally during the heating process.
Lancashire boiler and Cochran boiler are examples for this type

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 • Forced circulation boiler
The water flow occurs with the aid of a centrifugal pump powered by some external
power in such steam boilers. Some external agencies are obliged to circulate here.
LaMont boiler, Loeffler boiler, Benson boiler are examples for this.

5. According to the axis of shell

• Vertical boiler
Some of the boilers’ shells are vertical and they are called as vertical boilers. simple
vertical boiler and Cochran boiler are examples for this type.

• Horizontal boiler
Some of the boilers’ shells are horizontal and they are called as horizontal boilers.
Lancashire boiler, Babcock and Wilcox boiler and locomotive boilers are examples
for this type.

6. According to the use

• Stationary boilers
These are the permanent boilers which cannot be transported from place to place. They
cannot be moved to another destination after they have been installed.

• Mobile boilers
These are the steam boilers that may be transported from place to place. Locomotive
and marine boilers are mobile boilers.

1. Lancashire boiler
Lancashire boiler is an internal fire piping boiler with a horizontal drum axis, natural circulation, natural
draft, two-tubular, low pressure, fixed. The major function of this steam is to produce steam and
subsequently this steam is utilized for power production steam turbines. Its efficiency is excellent in thermal
terms and is between 80% and 90%. It is utilized mostly in locomotive and marine engines etc.

Figure 4: Lancashire boiler

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 2. Babcock and Wilcox Boiler
High pressure, fired solid fuel, fired outward-looking water tube heating. It is a horizontal drum axis, a
natural circulation, stationary and multi-fired.
George Herman Babcock and Stephen Wilcox found it in 1967. And if he was named as Babcock and
Wilcox boiler after his discoverer.

3. Locomotive boiler
Locomotive boilers are horizontal drum axis, multi-tube, natural circulation, forced circulation artificial
drainage, movable, moderate-pressure fireside tube boiler, solid fuel burned boiler, internal furnace fire. It
is utilized on motors and in maritime railway locomotives. It is a mobile boiler with a high rate of steam
production.

Figure 5:Locomotive Boiler

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 4. Steam boiler
Both hot water and steam boilers use a heat exchanger as a tool for heating water and to transport it to a
piped system connected to heaters throughout your house. Steam boilers use pressure and gravity to provide
hot vapor to radiators and re-heat cycle refrigerated condensation. Partially filled with water and the heated
water turns into the steam. A pressure relief and low water cut-off are required for steam boilers. Manual
valves for the added water to the system are available in most steam boilers. Take a look at the water level
gage to maintain water level at the right level. It is necessary to keep paying attention because this can be
blast as it is working under high pressure and temperature.

Figure 6: Steam Boiler

5. Hot water boiler

Water boiler heating systems depend on pressure, volume and temperature to provide efficient and safe
heating to the radiators in your home. In this boiler thermostat calls for heat. And the heat is generated by
an oil or gas burner. Heat produces, is used to heating water. Heated water expands and the extra volume
added to the extra tank. When the water cools again return to the boiler and heated again. This circulates
for all the time.

Figure 7: Hot water boiler

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 6. Natural gas boiler
As it is named natural gas boiler, this is fueled by natural gases. Natural gasses pumped through a gas line
running beneath the house via a pipeline from an adjacent road. Sometimes rural gas heaters use propane
gasses from a huge tank outside the residence because most rural locations have no main line for natural
gas. A temperature gage and a thermo couple control natural gas to reduce fuel use. The gas serves as a
light pilot to heat the warming belt of the boiler by transferring the heat to the tank water.

Figure 8: Natural gas boiler

7. Electric boiler
No fossil fuels such as gas or oil are used by electric boilers to deliver heat to your house. Electric boilers
continue to be quite popular since they are both effective and eco-friendly. No smoke is filled with precious
heat and the atmosphere. They do not have to have a primary supply of gas or fuel to rural consumers.
Lower installation costs and slower and more spacious electrical boilers. This is one of the eco-friendly
boilers can be seen in domestic. But there are some disadvantages too.

• When there is a power cut you can’t use this boiler.

• Cost for electricity is higher than other boilers
• As electricity is generated using coal and oil fuel plants, although electric boiler is green
application it pollutes the environment indirectly.

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 Figure 9: Electric boiler

8. Oil boiler
Oil boilers are mostly like water-based heating systems fuelled by oil. These boilers are more common on
rural countries where accessing the natural gases is limited. A second oil tank, usually with household
heated bio-diesel oil, pumps the fusion into your oil boiler to heat water and transport hot air or water down
the tube into your home. Older oil boilers might have a lot of energy waste. If your oil boiler has a natural
drain, continuous pilot light or heavy heat exchanger, this generally isn't very ecologically friendly, the unit
must be completely replaced while retrofitting is an option.

Figure 10: Oil boiler

9. Condensing boiler
Two condenser boilers are used by two separate heating exchangers: one to heat the water before to the
radiators and the other to restore the water from the tube. The exhaust gas potential is used by condensation
heaters to warm the boiler. As a result, their equivalents without condensing have substantially improved
energy efficiency.

Figure 11: Condensed boiler

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From here let’s see boilers which are large in size.

10. Grate furnace boiler

The grease method has been used most commonly since the beginning of industrialization to burn solid
fuels in small and medium-sized furnaces (15 kW - 30 MW). Indeed, new furnace technology has
superseded the use of grinding furnaces in units over 5MW. In the grilling ovens, waste and biofuels are
usually combusted. There are also many kinds of grinding furnaces, as there are very different solid fuels.
The principle of grate fire stays rather same for all grate furnaces

Figure 12:Grate Furnace boiler

11. PCF Boilers (Pulverized Coal Fired Boilers)

Around 38% of the world's electric energy output are generated by coal-fired water boiler systems that will
still be important contributors. The most prevalent utility boilers today, pulverized carbon fires offer
excellent efficiency but expensive management of SOx and NOx. Almost any type of charcoal may be
powdered and consumed in a PCF boiler like gas. The PCF technology allowed the boiler unit size to grow
by a factor of more than 1000 MW from 100 MW in the 1950s. New, commonly installed, pulverized
charcoal-fired systems provide electricity at net thermal cycles of 34% to 37% (higher heating value). Up
to 97% of the combined uncontrolled discharges of air pollutants is removed (SOx and NOx).

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 Figure 13: PCF boiler
12. Fluidized bed boilers
There are two types in fluidized bed boilers. Bubbling fluidized bed boiler (BFB) and Circulating fluidized
bed boilers (CFB). In recent decades, fluidized bed combustion become quite popular. One of the reasons
for this is that a boiler with a combustion of this kind may be used in the same boiler, with high combustion
efficiency, for many different fuels, even in lesser grade fuels. With addition, in a fluidized bed boiler, the
combustion temperature is low, directly causing fewer NOx emissions. Fluidized bed combustion also
permits a cheap way of SOx reduction by enabling lime to be injected into the furnace directly.

Figure 14 Bubbling Fluidized Bed boiler Figure 15 Circulating Fluidized Bed boiler

13. Refuse boilers

The typical waste (or waste) heater combusts solid or liquid waste. This type of boiler should not be
combined with the pulp and paper recovery boilers utilized. That's why we usually refer to boiler waste
when specifying the chemical recovery method utilized in the pulp and paper sector when we talk about
trash and boilers. Compared to other fuels, garbage combustion differs drastically, mainly because of its
various characteristics. Furthermore, the aim is not to generate energy in combustion but to minimize the
volume, weight and inert of the wastes before they are dumped on a tip for trash. Waste is burned in a
number of ways, but the major approach is to burn it using a mechanical grate in a grate boiler. A fluidized
bed for sludge or rotary kilns for chemical and hazardous waste must be used for other methods for burning
waste. Milling and crushing of trash and the removal of big items are the major preparatory procedures (like
refrigerators).

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 Figure 16: Refuse boilers
Brief explanation on the operation of a Boiler

Simply a boiler is which a closed vessel contains heated water and steam in high pressure. Because of the
pressure boiling point of the water become increased. And the pressurized steam can use for generating
power and the heated water can be used for heating systems installed in houses and industrial level. Boilers
used controlled fuel combustion to heat water in both gas and oil-fired boiler systems. The main components
of the boiler engaged in this operation are burner, combustion chamber and heat exchanger. Let’s see how
the main components of a boiler work.
The burner combines fuel and oxygen and offers a combustion platform with the help of an igniting
mechanism. This is done in the combustion chamber and the heat generated by the heat exchanger is
transmitted to the water. Burner inflammation, fuel supply, air supply, exhaust drain, water temperature,
vapor pressure and boiler pressures are controlled by checks. High-temperature water generated by an
evaporator is drained and transported throughout the structure into equipment that may include boiling
water loops into air supply units, water heaters and terminal unit management. Steam boilers generate steam
that passes from high pressure to low pressure factor areas via pipes, independently of an external energy
source like a siphon. Steam used for warming may be easily utilized with steam by using hardware or it
may provide heat with boiling water to the gear through a warmth exchanger.
When water is cooked into steam at atmospheric pressure, its volume rises by around 1600 times, creating
an explosive force like cannon powder. This leads to the boiler being an appliance which must be carefully
handled. A feed water system, steam system and fuel system are included in the boiler system. The feed
water systems provide the boiler with water and automatically adjust it to satisfy steam demand.
Maintenance and repair are provided using various valves. The steam system gathers the steam generated
in the boiler and regulates them. Steam is transported to the place of usage using a pipe system. Valves are
used to control steam pressure throughout the system and vapor pressure gages are used. The fuel system
contains all fuel supply devices to create the heat necessary. The fuel system's needed equipment depends
on the type of gasoline the system uses.
When considering a common boiler it uses gases, electricity, oil or any other fuel type for generate heat.
And water is heated inside a closed vessel. Due to the temperature, the temperature of water becomes high
and water produces steam. Inside the vessel, pressure goes high and removes the steam to keep a constant
pressure inside the vessel. That steam can be used to generate energy by rotating a turbine. And also heated
water is circulated using pipes can use for many purposes such as heaters, hot water showers and many
more.

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The safety of Boilers

Present boiler systems are developed and designed for safety and efficiency, but when considering
the safety of the boilers it is required to consider on the way which the steam boiler should be
operated in instances where there is a possibility of an accident. Occasions where there is a
possibility for an accident is shown below,

• Boiler accidents are possible to occur when it is operated without proper amount of water.
Ensuring correct water level is very important when operating steam boilers. As a standard
approximately water is filled till its level is indicated in middle of the gauge glass which is
called the normal operating water level.

• When excessive pressure is generated within the boiler there is a possibility for an accident.
Excessive pressure within the boiler might end up in a massive explosion resulting a
massive damage on both property and life. Therefore, there is a high possibility for an
accident to occur if it is not handled properly.

• The water inserted to the steam boiler must be treated for the safety of the operation.
Minerals present in water may accumulate and deposit on inlets and outlets resulting
overheating of boiler parts and danger to the surrounding personal.

For the above-mentioned type of instances, the operator should know the correct procedures and
have the professional knowledge about boilers. But besides those requirements that should exist
within the operator, the boilers also do have some mechanisms, systems and components built
within them which helps in preventing accidents thus ensuring the safety at the workplace.

1. Gauge glass – This is a measuring device used to take approximate measurements of

the water level inside the steam boiler. It is located at the side of steam boiler. This
helps in identifying whether the boiler is filled with adequate amount of water, hence
prevents any damage that can occur due to feeding improper amount of water into the
steam boiler.

Figure 17: Gauge glass

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 2. Try cocks – These are valves which can be found on the water column of the boiler.
These are used as a backup in a case where the gauge glass is not functional. Therefore,
these are also used in determining the water level inside the boiler.

Figure 18: Try cocks

3. Safety valve – This is a spring loaded pop off safety valve which opens when steam
pressure inside the boiler exceeds maximum working pressure allowable. It is built in
a way that a disc called as the valve disc is pressured against the valve seats with the
aid of the spring. Once the internal pressure of the boiler exceeds the pressure given by
the spring the valve disc pops out letting steam to go out resulting a reduction of internal
pressure. The pressure given by the spring is set such that it is equal to the maximum
allowable working pressure of the boiler. Safety valves are taken to testing routinely to
make sure that they are operating properly or whether they should be serviced by an
authorized personal.

Figure 19: Safety valve

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 4. Burner control system – This is a system used to monitor the burner. It monitors
whether the burner is operated properly. If this system doesn’t detect any flame in the
boiler, it will cut off the supply of fuel ensuring the safety of the surrounding. This
system has safety devices connected to it for proper safety actions.

Figure 20: Burner control system

• Flame scanner – a flame failure can result in explosions due to the fuel collected in the
burner. A flame scanner is used to identify the flames in a burner, and it is tested regularly
to confirm that it is working properly.

5. Blowdown valve – This valve is used to ensure that there are no blocks resulted by any
residue accumulated in lines connected with the gauge glass. When it is closed water
should enter the gauge glass quickly. If water enters the gauge glass slowly there may
be obstruction in water flow paths which can then cleaned by blowing down the water.

Figure 21: Blowdown valve

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These mentioned components and mechanisms can be taken as the parts which are used to ensure
safety of the boilers at the level of production. When operating the boilers, the operator must follow
safety procedures and should be well educated about the boiler which he/she is operating.
Moreover, it is better to wear safety clothing when operating the steam boilers as it will provide
safety up to some extent in an unavoidable occasion.

Relationship between the pressure and temperature of saturated steam in the

experiment

When the heat is provided to the water the kinetic energy of the water molecules increases. Therefore, they
will attain velocities which is sufficient to break out from their surface and create steam. Practically with
the increase of temperature the pressure of the steam increases as more steam is generated inside the boiler.
When the system reaches the saturated steam condition, although heat is provided the temperature would
not be increased if a constant pressure is maintained. At that point the temperature of the water will be equal
to the temperature of the steam, but steam will have more energy than water. When the system reaches the
saturated steam condition, if the pressure can be increased further then the temperature will keep on
increasing giving a y=mx+c curve for temperature vs pressure.
Through the results obtained from this lab experiment when the pressure vs temperature curves were plotted
it could be clearly seen that there was almost a linear relationship with the temperature and pressure values
for a range of temperature from 90˚C to 112˚C. There was a drop in pressure after the boiling temperature
was achieved, this was due to the V-2 valve being opened to remove the air trapped inside the boiler.

Introduction to Steam Plant

What’s a Steam Plant

 A Steam Power Plant designed to convert the heat of combustion into mechanical energy
by steam. Mechanical energy is not usually the final product of a steam power plant but is
converted into electricity by generators and transmitted to consumers. This steam power
plant is known as a steam electric power plant. When steam is produced in an atomic steam
generator, the plant is referred to as a nuclear power plant or an atomic power plant.

 A Steam power plants include one or more steam boilers with auxiliary machinery,
equipment and tools, and one or more steam power sources (steam engines or steam
turbines). The simplest steam power plant is a steam power unit equipped with a fire-tube
boiler equipped with a piston steam engine. High power steam power plants are equipped
with steam boilers and steam turbines with condensing equipment. The modern trend is to
design steam power plants in boiler-turbine units (with a power rating of 300 MW or more)
that are not interconnected for steam and water. This makes it possible to use very important
fittings with very high vapor parameters (24 megawatts per square meter [240 sq km of
power] and very short fittings with a temperature of 570 ° C and above. Steam generated

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 by a steam power plant is often used for domestic or industrial purposes, such as heating,
cooking and drying. Steam power plants are used for river boats and ocean vessels (steam
ships) as well as for rail transport (steam locomotives) and occasionally for steam
automobiles.

Figure 22: Steam plant prototype

Different types of Steam Plants

 The majority of coal-fired power plants, oil, nuclear, geothermal, solar thermal power and
waste incineration plants, as well as almost all natural gas power plants are thermal. Natural
gas burns frequently in gas turbines as well as boilers. The waste heat from a gas turbine
in the form of a hot gas can be used to raise the vapor by transmitting the gas through a
steam generator (HRSG). It is then used to run a steam turbine in an integrated cycle factory
that uses steam to increase overall efficiency. Power plants that burn coal, fuel oil, or
natural gas are often referred to as fossil fuel power plants. Thermal power plants with
some biomass fuel also appear. Non-nuclear thermal power plants, especially fossil-fuelled
power plants that do not use cogeneration, are sometimes referred to as conventional power
plants.

 Commercial power utility plants are generally built on a large scale and are designed for
continuous operation. In general, all power plants use three-phase generators to generate
alternating current (AC) power at frequencies of 50-Hz or 60 Hz. The Large companies or
organizations might have their own power plants to supply heat or electricity to their
facilities, especially if steam is used for other purposes. Steam-powered power plants have
been used to power most ships for most of the 20th century. Shipboard power stations
usually connect the turbine directly to the ship's propulsion via gearboxes. The power plants
on such ships also supply steam to the small turbines that run the generators and provide
electricity. Nuclear marine propulsion is used only in marine vessels, with the exception of
a few. There are many turbo-electric ships that are powered by a steam powered turbine,
which powers an electric motor to propel it. Generating plants, often referred to as

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 combined heat and power (CHP) facilities, produce both electricity and heat for process
heat or space heating in processes such as steam and hot water.

7. Conclusion

In this lab experiment we were able to identify fundamentals of the operation of a steam boiler using
Marcet Boiler. First, we learnt about water filling port, valves, pressure gauge, steam release port, safety
relief valve, drainpipe, how to power-up the boiler and how to read the temperature inside the steam
boiler. From this lab we studied relationship between temperature and pressure y = mx + c type graph.
Then we plotted graphs for saturated steam and water and steam mixer both from given observation sheet
readings. In discussion we gathered the knowledge about type of boilers, the safety of boilers and safety
precautions and finally introduction to steam plants and type of steam plants. When taken as a whole this
lab was a success in providing knowledge on steam boiler to us.

8. Reference
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