Month: December 2022

How Can I Extend the Life of a Steam Boiler? sadsad

Posted on by Multi Mode

Steam boilers are integral to many industries, and they have played a role in industrialisation since the times of industrial revolution. When your business or industry relies on boilers for heating, steam production, or another function, it’s important to have the information about how to get the most out of the lifespan of your boiler system. There are certain steps to take that can help to make the most and even potentially extend the life of your boiler, which is why we have put together this list of handy tips. Keep reading to find out all about the useful hints and tricks we have on how to get the most out of your steam boiler.

How Long Should a Boiler Last?

On average, you can expect to get 20 to 30 years of life and operation out of a steam-powered boiler. That being said, this varies depending on the application of your boiler, the particular setting it operates in, and the industry it is used in. If you follow the maintenance guidelines, and some of the tips in this article, you have a good chance of getting the most out of that average life expectancy mentioned above. Of course, ensuring that the proper safety and repair protocols are followed is essential if you hope to get decades out of your boiler.

Regular Maintenance

A cornerstone of extending the lifespan of a steam boiler is regular maintenance. This is true of any piece of machinery, or indeed, of anything that one values. If you wish to keep it spick and span, in good working order, safe, and extend its lifespan, then keeping up with maintenance is essential.

As mentioned, regular assessment and maintenance by a professional in boiler systems are also imperative to the safe functioning of the system, and the safety of those people who come into contact with it or are around it daily. This is one important reason for regularly scheduled maintenance, and another is that these check-ups can identify problems or concerns that may then be fixed before they turn into big issues for the system. This early intervention is then what can help to extend the steam boiler’s lifespan.

Check Water Quality

The quality of the water inside your boiler actually plays a large role in the quality of the operation of the boiler system. When hard water is used within the system, it leaves behind mineral deposits or scales during the process of conversion to steam. This build-up creates issues with the boiler working as it should, and can cause it to work overtime to compensate, putting pressure on the whole system.

You can mitigate the risk of mineral build-up and the accompanying safety risks that come with it, by installing or using a water softener as part of the boiler system. Check out this Wikipedia page for more information all about boilers, and then discover even more with 4 facts about steam boilers.

Know When to Replace

There are many considerations when it comes to steam-powered boilers, but one important one is knowing when it’s time to maintain and repair, and when it’s actually time to replace. This is a particularly important thing to consider when it comes to ensuring and maintaining the safety of your boiler system because boilers that need replacing can exhibit unsafe characteristics.

When it comes to knowing when a boiler might be coming to the end of its life, or you may be approaching the appropriate time for a replacement, there are several things to look out for:

Strange Noises: Unusual or irregular noises can indicate that something is wrong with your boiler, or that it could be approaching a breakdown. For example, banging noises, whistling noises, or gurgling sounds could be a sign that it’s time to have your boiler system assessed by a professional.

Loss of Pressure: If your boiler is regularly losing pressure, then this can also be a sign of an impending breakdown. Loss of pressure could be caused by a number of things, such as damage to the boiler pump, or damage to the pressure relief valve. It’s important to remember that if you do suspect something is wrong with your boiler, or that it is failing, you must consult a professional to have it inspected.

Do You Need Experts in Steam Boilers?

Here at Tomlinson Energy Service, we are proud to offer you more than 100 years of engineering and service experience. We provide unparalleled expertise in maintaining, repairing, and installing steam boilers, as well as other thermal energy system-related services. We provide exceptional customer service and a seamless customer experience. Plus, as a member of the Environmental Group Limited (EGL), we are proudly committed to the protection of the environment.

When you need boiler maintenance, repair, or installation, call us at your state-specific telephone number, or fill out our online contact form, and we will get back to you.

History of the steam boiler sadsad

Posted on by Multi Mode

Steam boilers have become an essential household item since their invention. They played a pivotal role in the industrial revolution, bringing the western world into the modern technological age. Steam engines have been experimented with or proposed in some capacity for centuries. The first recorded – ‘the Aeolipile’ – was mentioned by Vitruvius in 1st century Roman Egypt. However, steam boilers became more recognised in the 17-1800s with the invention of the kettle boiler. These simply involved placing water above a firebox, allowing it to boil into steam. Since then, boilers have had various iterations over the decades and centuries to improve efficiency and application. 

Denis Papin and the pressure cooker 

In 1679, French scientist Denis Papin designed the first pressure cooker. He organised a system that placed a sealed pot above a high heat source. Papin is credited with introducing valves to steam boilers to allow them to release pressure before systems become unsafe.  

Flooded Mines and Industrial Pumps

Throughout the late 1600s and 1700s, Europe was experiencing a coal mining boom. However, during this time, mining was completed by pickaxes, and transport of goods was achieved by pulley and minecart. The mines were often flooded when water veins were found or it rained, and it proved difficult to get the water out with hand labour. Various iterations of steam engines were patented during this time, beginning with Jeronimo de Ayanz’s machine that propelled water out of the mines using steam in 1606. Followed by Thomas Savery’s steam-powered pump in 1698. Savery’s machine had significant faults: safety concerns, a lack of durability, wasted energy potential and a requirement for operation, installation, and maintenance within the dark and potentially flooded mine. The machine also had a maximum height capability of 10m of pumping, not feasible when many of the mines travelled far deeper than this.

The Newcomen Engine – an early boiler

Due to the faults presented by Savery’s design, Thomas Newcomen invented the Newcomen engine. This design used atmospheric-level steam pressure (as opposed to requiring accumulated steam pressure). Newcomen’s design was very popular throughout 1700s Europe as it was more efficient than the alternatives, but still had issues. It constantly required cold and hot water to cool and heat the steam cylinder. However, this design eliminated the requirement for horse-operated pumps – a feature of Savery’s machine – drastically reducing operating costs.  

Boilers and the industrial revolution

Over the course of the industrial revolution, steam engines and boilers underwent multiple iterations and improvements attempting to solve some of the problems presented by earlier models. This included maintaining temperature and improving the pressure capabilities of the vessels. A notable example is the James Watt steam engine, which added a separate condenser unit to previous steam pump iterations. Steam engines became an essential part of the industrial revolution as they were used for powering trains, carts, factories, mills, and breweries.

Babcock & Wilcox Company – a modern boiler 

The first modern recognisable steam boiler design was patented by George Babcock and Steven Wilcox in 1867. This design has been described as the first ‘convection boiler’ and utilised tubes inside a firebrick-walled box. However, the initial designs were very small in size and capacity. Meanwhile, a different business, the Stirling Boiler Company, founded in 1891, began making larger industrial boilers labelled the ‘H-type.’ In 1907, the two companies merged to create the ‘H-type Stirling boiler’, a combination of the two designs that were large and incredibly popular.   

Since this inception, boilers have continued to increase in size, capacity, and efficiency. By the 1950s and 60s, boiler designs could generate 9,000,000 pounds of steam, (1,300 megawatts of electricity per hour,) compared to the H-type Stirling’s 50,000 pounds of steam. Modern-day boilers are used within a wide variety of industries for various applications.

Tomlinson Energy – 130 years of steam boilers. 

That’s right. Tomlinson Energy has over 130 years of experience delivering steam boiler services to a wide variety of industries. We specialise in the sale of high-quality steam boilers from world-renowned brands, as well as the maintenance of a wide catalogue of boiler types. Tomlinson Energy has been there to witness the improvement of boiler technology over the company’s lifespan and remains on the cutting edge of the market.  

When you need boiler maintenance or boiler repair, make sure to call us at your state-specific telephone number, or fill out our online contact form, and one of our industry experts will get back to you.