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While dealing with planning, management & upgrading of Steam Boilers, one must have come across the term ‘Steam Fundamentals”. We will now understand what this means and why is it important for us to know as a plant manager.

We, at Uni Klinger Limited share with you any solutions related to Steam engineering. There are so many variables to consider in any plant, but one of the most important factors are related to Steam.

Hence knowledge related to ‘Steam Fundamentals’ will always come in handy.

Whether is your role but we should ensure safety and efficiency in the plant, during planning and implementation of steam and thermal energy efficiency improvements.

One can achieve better safety and efficiency by developing a basic understanding of ‘Steam Fundamentals”.

We have divided steam fundamentals into 7 key topics to help get up to date with the basics of steam and to reckon areas of improvement:

1. Types of Boiler

We already know that the type of boiler used in a steam plant depends upon the application. The main purpose of any boiler is to provide correct amount of steam in a safe and efficient way.

2. How do boilers produce steam?

If anyone is working with steam, it is important to understand how steam is produced in a boiler. This knowledge will help prepare to overcome any maintenance situations as a plant manager.

3. What is steam?

There are many variety of types of steam, so it’s quite necessary that you know what the steam is. Because this is where it all begins to gain knowledge for steam efficiency.

4. Steam tables

For understanding the varying properties if steam at different pressures, one must be aware of the importance of steam tables. It is always recommended to refresh that knowledge to keep your plant performance up to date.

5. Steam and condensate loop

To keep the steam system perform at its best, condensate must be removed from system. It usually causes hammering in the lines and cancause some severe damage to the system if not removed. Refreshing the basics of steam and the condensate loop can help you acknowledge areas of improvement in the plant acquiring extended safety and efficiency in the process.

6. How is condensate reused?

When it reaches feed tank, condensate can be repurposed. We can recover condensate by Steam Traps or Condensate Recovery System and utilize them to increase system’s efficiency.

7. Tests to be carried out within the boiler house:

You should consider carrying out these 5 key tests on your boiler:

• Checking feed water treatment, DE aeration and storage.
• Checking level controlling system on the boiler.
• Checking the energy management system if you have it in place.
• Checking Blow-down controls and vessels.
• Checking BG01 and the HSE INDG436 compliances.