Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring


Boiler inefficiency can be avoided

May 2014 Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring

The cost of buying a boiler is small compared to the amount of money spent operating it year on year, an expense governed by boiler efficiency. Although boiler efficiency is an important parameter when specifying a new boiler, little attention is given to it once it is steaming.

The myth is that the boiler will always generate steam at the rated efficiency. The truth is that one of the most critical parameters in boiler operation is its actual delivered efficiency. What distinguishes one boiler from another is the actual cost at which steam is generated.

Surveys show the true delivered boiler efficiency to be lower by 3-12% than rated. Usually ignored, the boiler continues running at lower efficiency and consuming more fuel than it actually should. Data collected from hundreds of boilers show low operating efficiencies. As the fuel bills mount, it becomes more and more expensive to turn a blind eye to this inefficiency.

Impact of boiler efficiency on steam generation

Consider a typical steam and condensate loop, Figure 1 shows the flow of energy through the system. The impact of a drop in boiler efficiency is seen when a drop in boiler efficiency of 10% results in a consumption increase of 16%.

Figure 1.
Figure 1.

The cost of fuels has increased significantly in the recent past, but rated boiler efficiency has not. This has pushed up the steam generation costs significantly. Also, the basic costs to monitor boiler efficiency have come down recently. Both these factors have made boiler efficiency monitoring economical and beneficial, even for small capacity boilers starting at 1 TPH. Boiler efficiency monitoring has never made as much sense as it does today.

If boiler efficiency is not being measured and optimised, users stand to lose significantly on fuel costs. The clock is ticking and it has become necessary to monitor boiler efficiency on a continuous basis.

Environmental Process Analytics offers a fully comprehensive boiler efficiency monitoring and control system. The Effimax system offers touch screen technology for the instantaneous display of all parameters that impact boiler efficiency. Features include:

* Online boiler efficiency measurement with break-up of losses (as per BS845).

* Graphical analysis of boiler performance metrics.

* Boiler performance diagnostic reports with alarms.

* Web based remote performance monitoring.

For more information contact Stuart Truebody, Environmental Process Analytics, +27 (0)12 661 6656, [email protected], www.envirosa.com



Credit(s)



Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Supporting fast, safe helicopter service across Sweden
ATEQ South Africa Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
In an environment with high risks and fierce competition, Storm Heliworks’ fleet of eight helicopters operates on assignments throughout Scandinavia. Maintenance is critical, and the company recently invested in a battery charger analyser from ATEQ Aviation.

Read more...
WearCheck introduces advanced Legionella testing to safeguard water quality
Wearcheck Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
WearCheck Water has expanded its expertise in water analysis with the introduction of Legionella pneumophila detection and enumeration. This positions the company at the forefront of water and surface safety monitoring, ensuring businesses, industries, and public institutions can proactively manage legionella contamination risks.

Read more...
Silo weighing made easy - new mounting kit for load cells
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The PR 6003 mounting kit features fast commissioning in demanding applications in industrial silo weighing. It combines maximum accuracy with maximum safety in a compact system.

Read more...
Inline beverage analyser leverages advanced multi-parameter technology
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
[Sponsored] The Cobrix 7501/7601 inline beverage analyser leverages advanced multi-parameter technology to enhance quality control in carbonated soft drink production.

Read more...
Smart weighing boosts Bayer’s automation
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
he new supply centre of the agricultural chemical and pharmaceutical company Bayer in Hangzhou integrates weighing technology of Minebea Intec for precise mixing and homogenisation in Zone 2 hazardous areas.

Read more...
WearCheck Water wins accreditation for microbiological testing
Wearcheck Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
WearCheck Water’s Johannesburg laboratory was recently awarded ISO/IEC17025 accreditation for Total Coliforms and E.coli Testing after a rigorous audit process, adding to the company’s extensive list of certifications, and reinforcing the laboratory’s adherence to national and international work quality standards.

Read more...
Advancing process weighing and weighbridge automation
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Sasco Africa, a leader in industrial weighing solutions, is showcasing its latest innovations in process weighing and weighbridge automation.

Read more...
Analysis solutions for total organic carbon
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
Prepare for the future of water quality monitoring with Hach’s industry-leading total organic carbon (TOC) analysis solutions.

Read more...
Liquid density analyser
Sensoquad Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
The SensoTech LiquiSonic system measures the density or concentration of a liquid by calculating using the sonic velocity to give output in real-time.

Read more...
Oxygen measurement in beverages
Analytical Instrumentation & Environmental Monitoring
[Sponsored] Anton Paar offers a complete range of oxygen measurement instruments for total package oxygen (TPO) measurements, at-line quality control (QC), and in-process monitoring. These instruments help beverage manufacturers achieve accurate, reliable oxygen control at every stage of production.

Read more...