STEAM

GENERATOR
(BOILER)
 A steam generator is a form of low water-
content boiler, similar to a flash steam boiler.
The usual construction is as a spiral coil of 
water-tube, arranged as a single, or monotube
, coil. Circulation is once-through and pumped
under pressure, as a forced-circulation boiler.
The narrow-tube construction, without any
large-diameter drums or tanks, means that

STEAM they are safe from the effects of explosion,

even if worked at high pressures. The pump

GENERATOR flowrate is adjustable, according to the

quantity of steam required at that time. The
burner output is throttled to maintain a
constant working temperature. The burner
output required varies according to the
quantity of water being evaporated: this can
be either adjusted by open-loop control
 according to the pump throughput, or by a 
closed-loop control to maintain the measured
temperature.
 The steam-generating boiler’s roots go back to the late
1700s and early 1800s with the development of the kettle-
type boiler, which simply boiled water into steam. The
water was placed above a fire box and then boiled into
steam. It wasn’t until around 1867, with the development
of the convection boiler, that the steam-generating industry
began.

It may be debated who developed the first steam-

generating boiler; however, most will agree that George
HISTORY Babcock and Steven Wilcox were two of the founding
fathers of the steam-generating boiler. They were the first
to patent their boiler design, which used tubes inside a
firebrick-walled structure to generate steam, in 1867, and
they formed Babcock & Wilcox Company in New York
City in 1891. Their first boilers were quite small, used
lump coal, fired by hand, and operated at a very low rate of
heat input. The solid firebrick walls that formed the
enclosure for the unit were necessary because they helped
the combustion process by reradiating heat back into the
furnace area.
 TYPES OF STEAM ENGINE

◦ FIRE TUBE BOILER

Types of Internal Furnace Fire Tube Boilers
◦ CORNISH FIRE TUBE BOILER
◦ LANCASHIRE FIRE TUBE BOILER
◦ LOCOMOTIVE FIRE TUBE BOILER
◦ VERTICAL FIRE TUBE BOILER
◦ COCHRAN FIRE TUBE BOILER
◦ IMMERSION FIRE TUBE BOILER

◦ WATER TUBE BOILERS

◦ ELECTRIC STEAM BOILERS
 STEAM ENGINE MOUNTINGS AND
FUNCTIONS
1 ) Safety Valves
Safety valves are fitted on every boiler to avoid over
pressurizing. Normally three safety valves are fitted on the
boiler with one on the super heater and rest two on steam
drum. In no condition these valves be less than two in
number and must lift at a pressure 3% above boiler working
pressure irrespective of boiler types.
A steam valve is made up of cast iron body with two
independent valves fitted on the valve seat. These valves are
connected to a lever by means of a pivot held tight to its
position by spring. The spring force keep the valve sit shut
on the valve seat under normal condition. When the upward
pressure exceeds the downward spring force; the valve is
lifted and excess steam is released to the atmosphere.
 STEAM ENGINE MOUNTINGS AND
FUNCTIONS
2 ) Steam Stop valve
A steam stop valve is connected to the boiler to stop
and regulate steam flow from boiler to the
distribution lines. Main steam stop valve on boiler is
kept shut to avoid back-flow of steam to the boiler.
The flange of the steam stop valve is bolted on top of
the steam drum. Valve main body is made of cast iron
while the valve seat is made from gun metal. The
spindle on one end is connected to the valve while
the other end to the handle wheel passing through
( yoke / Gland nut ) and gland packing. The valve is
operated by rotating the hand wheel. Rotating hand
wheel in turn rotate the spindle which move the valve
up allowing path for steam to flow.
 STEAM ENGINE MOUNTINGS AND
FUNCTIONS
3 ) Vent Valve
Vent valve is installed on the boiler
shell to vent air from steam drum
during starting of boiler. These vent
valves also comes handy during
boiler shut down as it let fresh air to
enter the boiler drum avoiding its
collapse under pressure. A vent valve
can also be used to release / dump
moist steam at start.
 STEAM ENGINE MOUNTINGS AND
FUNCTIONS
4 ) Pressure Gauge
Pressure gauge are fitted to the steam drum and
super heater to indicate steam pressure inside. These
gauge are fitted on the front top of the boiler shell
and represent pressure in bar. A bourdon tube of
closed cross section is attached to the steam space
on one end through siphon tube. The tube itself
contain water to avoid steam to enter into the
pressure gauge. The pointer is connected to the
threaded gear attached to the spindle. When pressure
is applied to the bourdon tube it becomes circular
turning the spindle. This cause the pointer to move
along with the gear; representing the boiler pressure.
 STEAM ENGINE MOUNTINGS AND
FUNCTIONS
5 ) Water Level Indicator
A pair of water level indicator is installed directly to the boiler shell with
an additional remote reading gauge installed at convenient position. They
are installed directly on the front end of all boiler types; showing water
level in boiler drum. It consist of a glass tube with three independent cock
( Steam cock, water cock and drain cock ).
Steam and water cock separates the glass tube with boiler steam and water
respectively. Drain cock on other hand used to drain water from glass
tube. A metal ball is provided on the water side of the gauge glass to avoid
subsequent accident and water loss; by water flashing off steam in event
of glass rapture / failure.
Under normal condition both steam and water cock is open allowing water
and steam pressure to balance. In event of incorrect reading we need to
blow through; by closing the water cock and opening drain cock. A strong
blow will indicate the steam cock is clear; now repeat the process with
steam cock closed and water cock opened. Strong blow of steam with
hissing sound indicate the water cock is clear. Now close the drain cock
and let water fill in; slowly open the steam cock equalizing the pressure.
 STEAM ENGINE MOUNTINGS AND
FUNCTIONS
6 ) Feed Check Valve
A feed check valve is a non return valve type
fitted on the boiler shell just below the normal
water level. It regulates the flow of feed water
restricting possible back flow to the feed pump.
These valves are usually fitted with extended
spindle for remote operation. The inlet and outlet
point of these valves are exposed to different
pressure. When the feed pump is operational;
sufficient pressure is build at the inlet point of
the valve. When the inlet pressure is more than
the outlet point the valve lift allowing water to
pass to the boiler.
 STEAM ENGINE APPLICATIONS

The applications of the steam engine have been changing over time. However, the most common throughout
history have been:
What is the steam engine for?
◦ Industrial
◦ Marine transport.
◦ Railway transport.
◦ Water pumping (Newcomen engine)
◦ Generation of electricity.
Initially, since the early 18th century, steam engines have been used to power many uses. In the beginning, the
steam engine was used as a piston pump.
Later, from the 1780s, reciprocating engines began to appear. Initially, factories and industries used this type of
external combustion engine. Later, steam engines began to be used in transportation.