Types of boiler plants

When it comes to insulation and heating, picking the ideal boiler for your house is essential. Knowing your options is essential to ensuring effective heating and maximum comfort because there are many different kinds of boiler plants available, each with special features and advantages.

The combi boiler, also known as a combination boiler, is one popular kind of boiler plant. Combis are well-liked for their compact design and capacity to heat and heat water with a single unit. They provide convenience without requiring a separate hot water cylinder, making them perfect for smaller homes or properties with limited space.

A system boiler might be a better option for larger homes with more bathrooms or higher hot water demands. In order to guarantee a consistent supply of hot water to numerous outlets at once, system boilers operate in tandem with a separate hot water cylinder. Households with higher heating needs can consider them because of their efficiency and capacity to meet higher demands.

On the other hand, many homeowners still find that conventional boilers, sometimes referred to as regular or heat-only boilers, are a dependable option. When needed, these boilers operate in tandem with a cold water storage tank and a hot water cylinder to heat radiators and supply hot water to faucets. Their installation might take up additional space, but they are compatible with current heating systems and offer flexibility.

For individuals in search of eco-friendly solutions, biomass boilers present a viable substitute for traditional heating systems. By burning organic materials like wood pellets or logs, these boilers produce heat while using less fossil fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide. Homeowners who care about the environment will find biomass boilers appealing due to their long-term cost savings and environmental advantages, even though the initial installation costs may be higher.

Comprehending the various varieties of boiler plants facilitates homeowners in making well-informed choices concerning their individual requirements, financial constraints, and ecological considerations. Selecting the ideal boiler for your house will guarantee dependable hot water delivery, effective heating, and year-round comfort.

Types of boilers

Boiler plant types are classified as follows:

  1. Energy. Designed for steam production at thermal power plants. Consumers are steam turbines of electric generators.
  2. Heating and production. They are part of the production and technical complex. Provide hot water and steam for heating and air conditioning systems. Participate in the technological process of production of products.
  3. Heating. They are used for heating of residential and public buildings. Depending on the heat capacity, they can serve both 1 house and a residential area. Can be made as a freestanding building or an extension to the building.

A steam or hot-water boiler provides the plants’ thermal energy.

Its backup systems make sure it runs:

  • chemical water treatment;
  • make-up;
  • automatics and protection.

Network pumps provide the heating system with hot water.

By type of fuel

The boiler produces a lot of heat when fuel is burned, and this heat is used to heat water. The device’s design is determined by its type and the way it is fed into the furnace.

Boilers fall into one of two categories based on the raw materials they burn:

  • solid fuel;
  • liquid fuel;
  • gas;
  • combined.

Solid fuel is typically made of coal or oil shale. In the wood processing industry, wood waste is burned. However, these boilers are rarely used because of the numerous harmful impurities (heavy metals, sulfur, etc.) that they contain. Instead, they are used for heating residential and public buildings.

A liquid fuel that is used is fuel oil. Up to 0.3% of ash is present in the product that is obtained following the distillation of distillate fractions. Products (vanadium) are released during combustion, which has an adverse effect on the boiler’s structural materials’ ability to withstand thermal corrosion. The environmental conditions in the areas where boiler houses are located are deteriorated by combustion products. It is not advised to place these boilers in residential areas.

The most popular types are those that run on gas. Such CHP was made possible by its large combustion heat, ease of delivery, environmental friendliness, and affordable raw material costs. These factors made it possible to use CHP in both individual heating systems and municipal heating networks.

Several fuel types can be used in combined boilers without affecting the way fuel is supplied to the combustion chamber.

These can be coal-dust and gas-oil-burning combinations. Fuel oil is one kind of fuel that is used as a reserve fuel.

The same burner is used to feed both materials into the furnace. As a result, the boiler house can keep running without having to stop when gas pipeline maintenance is being done.

Depending on their location

Boiler units are divided into four categories based on their location:

  • integrated (built-in);
  • superstructured (roofed);
  • attached;
  • freestanding.

Inside the building, in designated locations known as "heating points," are built-in CHP units. They are mostly utilized for heating residential and commercial buildings, including warehouses and technical and industrial buildings.

It is not necessary to construct special structures for small capacity boilers. Since the devices are directly connected to the heating system, there are very little heat losses.

Certain multi-story residential building projects that feature individual heating systems call for the installation of boiler equipment on the building’s roof.

These fully automated devices don’t need employees to be present all the time. Despite their small capacity, overhead boiler rooms are made to produce enough heat to keep the entire house warm during the coldest months.

Boiler rooms that are attached share a wall with the heated building. The inability to install the equipment somewhere else limits this kind of placement. When moving from stove to gas heating in private homes—where it is not feasible to install the boiler inside the house—they are utilized.

Independent In a collection of buildings and structures, CHP units provide hot water and heating. They may be found on locations far from heated objects as well as right next to them.

These units are maintained by staff who are on duty and have auxiliary systems installed to guarantee their functionality.

By type of heat carrier

Boilers that heat based on the kind of working body are:

  • hot-water
  • steam;
  • air-heated.

The first kind of devices are found in both private and public heating systems. Boilers with large capacities come with a forced circulation system installed. The heat generator’s pressure is kept at 0.7 kg/cm² in order to maximize the unit’s efficiency, allowing the heat carrier’s temperature to reach 115°C. Hot medium can be sent straight to the heaters or through heat points that use boilers to heat network water in stages.

Single- or double-drum designs with multiple working medium circulation are common in steam boiler units. Via the lifting pipes, the coolant enters the upper drum, and via the lower pipes, it enters the lower drum to continue heating. There are five to thirty cycles in a boiler when the working body circulates naturally.

Air heaters and economizers are offered to boost efficiency. The heat from exhaust gases warms the feed water before it enters the boiler, and the air supplied to the furnace—which has already passed through the air heater—allows the temperature of the burned fuel to rise.

Heat-tube and water-tube boilers are the two types of boilers based on how the heat-exchanging media move. Boiler plants employ second-type heat generators. Thermal power plants use energy steam generators to create steam for their turbines.

Air is utilized as a heat carrier in air-heating installations. These boilers are used to heat small industrial spaces with air. Convective forces cause air to travel through the heated pipes and into the space. Fans are used to increase the medium’s velocity. These units can be produced on their own with extra materials.

By degree of mechanization or automation of working processes

The following tasks are involved in boiler unit maintenance:

  • fuel supply to the furnace;
  • mixing of the layer of combustible materials;
  • slag removal.

Boiler operation is positively impacted by the main operations being mechanized. It operates more economically and efficiently as a result.

The plants are separated into the following categories based on how much of their working processes are mechanized:

  • non-mechanized;
  • semi-mechanical;
  • mechanical.

Automation systems and instrumentation (such as thermometers and pressure gauges) are installed in boiler units.

These enable the following tasks to be completed:

  • start-up and shutdown of the boiler unit in automatic mode;
  • emergency stop of the boiler at operation of technological protection;
  • selection and maintenance of the optimal mode of fuel combustion;
  • giving light and sound signals at operation of warning and emergency protections;
  • adjustment of technological parameters of the unit;
  • calculation of CHP efficiency;
  • control of auxiliary equipment;
  • locking of mechanisms, if different types of repairs are required, etc.

Automation of work is linked to the use of computer technologies and new technical methods for boiler unit control.

When it comes to heating and insulating your home, choosing the right type of boiler plant is crucial. Boiler plants are the heart of your heating system, providing warmth and hot water throughout the year. Understanding the different types available can help you make an informed decision tailored to your home"s needs and energy efficiency goals. Whether it"s a traditional gas boiler, an electric boiler, a biomass boiler, or a heat pump system, each option has its pros and cons in terms of cost, energy efficiency, and environmental impact. By exploring these options, homeowners can find the best fit for their budget, comfort, and sustainability preferences, ensuring a cozy and efficient home all year round.

Boiler Type Description
Gas Boiler Uses natural gas to heat water for central heating and hot water supply.
Oil Boiler Utilizes heating oil to generate heat for central heating systems and hot water.
Electric Boiler Operates by heating water using electricity, suitable for homes without gas or oil connections.

Selecting the ideal boiler plant type for your house is an important choice that will have a big impact on both your comfort level and energy costs. Every choice, including combi and conventional boilers, has pros and cons of its own.

Regular or traditional boilers, commonly referred to as conventional boilers, are a dependable option for larger homes with high hot water requirements. They work well at simultaneously heating several taps at once, even though they might take up more room for installation and a separate hot water cylinder.

Conversely, combi boilers are space-efficient, small, and powerful devices that heat water as needed, which makes them perfect for apartments or other small-space properties. Combi boilers save energy and are convenient because they don’t require a separate hot water cylinder; however, they might not be able to accommodate larger households’ needs.

Biomass boilers are an environmentally friendly option for individuals looking for sustainable heating solutions. They use renewable energy sources like wood pellets or logs. The long-term advantages of lower carbon emissions and possible fuel bill savings make biomass boilers an appealing option for homeowners who care about the environment, even though the initial installation costs may be higher.

The ideal kind of boiler plant for your house ultimately depends on a number of variables, such as your budget, hot water requirements, and property size. Speaking with a licensed heating engineer can assist you in weighing your options and coming to a decision that best meets your needs.

Video on the topic

Design and operation of TPP boiler units

Main types of furnaces of coal and gas-fired power boilers

Boiler units

What type of heating you would like to have in your home?
Share to friends
Sergey Ivanov

I like to help people create comfort and comfort in their homes. I share my experience and knowledge in articles so that you can make the right choice of a heating and insulation system for your home.

Rate author
vDomTeplo.com
Add a comment