Simple vertical tube boiler: Construction, working, and advantages

Industry Outlook Team | Monday, 03 January 2022

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As the name indicates, a simple vertical tube boiler has a vertical orientation rather than a horizontal one compared to its fellows. The basic principle of this type of boiler is the same. Water is heated inside a vertical cylindrical shell to produce steam.

There are many steam boilers for sale in the market. The buying decision usually depends on the needs. There are more complex boilers like condensing boilers for big power plants.

However, the steam produced by simple vertical tube boilers is not efficient in large power plants due to low pressure.

Furthermore, simple vertical boilers don't require a large space; Their simple design makes them usable for small steam power plants.

Vertical steam boilers are most common in using automobiles, wagons, and boats. Like every horizontal boiler, the vertical tube boiler is mainly classified into two types. The vertical water tube boiler and the vertical fire tube boiler.

The low cost of materials and simplicity enable many traditional steam operating plants and automobile engines to use fire tube boilers.

The only lacking was that water present in fire tube boilers needed to be healed completely, resulting in a buildup of pressure for a long time, and a risk of explosion was there.

On the other hand, water-tube boilers provide much efficient and fast heating. They are installed in power plants and advanced steam automobiles.

Working of vertical tube boiler

In simple vertical tube boilers, fuel is added in the shell through the fire hoke into the grate. Here's where the combustion occurs, and the resulting exhaust gases are produced. The ash produced in the combustion process is transferred to the ash pit.

Now convection takes place, hot gases rise upwards due to less density and pass through crossbows and heat the water.

As the water reaches the optimum temperature, steam is produced. The gases are then exhausted through the chimney. And steam is collected at the steam space in the boiler.

Ready to use for multiple operations.

Construction of simple vertical tube boiler

A simple vertical tube boiler consists of

1.Water level indicator

A water level indicator is responsible for helping the operates figure out the water temperature

2.Fusible plug

It is responsible for igniting the boiler

3.Cross tubes

Cross tubes are present to improve water circulation and the healing process

4.Furnace

Furnace holds the combustion process

5.Grate

Here's where fuel is kept, for example, coal. It is present below the furnace

6.Vertical cylindrical shell

It is the exoskeleton of the boiler. The different components of boilers are protected inside this shell

7.Pressure gauge

To note down pressure

8.Steam stop valve

Steam stop valve maintains the regulation of steam

9.Ashpit

Here's where ash is collected

10.Chimneys

The gases escape out through chimneys

11.Hand holes

Hand holes are present for the cleaning of cross tubes. They're present at the opposite ends of the boiler.

12.Fire hole

Fuel is poured inside the boiler through a fire hole.

Applications of vertical tube boilers

Vertical tube boilers have applications in plants that require lee steam generation.

Research tells

• Vertical steam boilers are used in steam cranes and steam shovels.

• Steam vertical boilers have many applications in railway automobiles.

• Furthermore, they are also used in steam shovels and steam cranes.

• In a steam tractor, vertical boilers play the most prominent role.

Advantages of vertical steam boiler

Vertical steam boilers are best suitable for low steam generation tasks. The initial planting cost of the boiler is low, which enables many of the users to plant the vertical boilers easily.

Furthermore, the parts of the vertical steam boilers are also cheap, which makes their maintenance quite economical.

Moreover, vertical steam boilers are space-friendly. Their vertical design makes them be used in confined spaces, thus adding to their versatility.

The working process of the vertical steam boiler is also quite simple compared to technical horizontal steam boilers.

Disadvantages of vertical steam boilers

The vertical design of the boiler limits its application. Furthermore, the steam generation rate of vertical steam boilers is lower than horizontal boilers.

Conclusion

Simple vertical tube boilers are best suitable for low steam demanding tasks. They are quite cheap, but their maintenance is also cheap, which gives it an advantage over others.

Although its applications are limited by its design, its advantages surpass the drawbacks.