Boilers are defined as enclosed vessels or containers that are designed to generate heat by heating water or other fluids to produce steam or hot water for various purposes, such as heating, power generation, or industrial processes.
Typically, boilers consist of a metal cylinder or shell that holds the water or fluid to be heated. Inside this vessel, a heat source, such as a combustion chamber, burner, or electric element, is employed to transfer heat to the fluid, heating it to its boiling point to produce steam or hot water. The steam or hot water generated by the boiler can then be utilized for heating buildings, providing hot water for domestic use, generating power through turbines, or driving various industrial processes.
Boilers are commonly categorized based on their working principles or design configurations, such as fire-tube boilers, water-tube boilers, or electric boilers. Fire-tube boilers have the heat source within a tube, which is surrounded by water or a mixture of water and steam. Water-tube boilers, on the other hand, have water-filled tubes that circulate around a combustion chamber containing the heat source. Electric boilers use electricity as the heat source to directly heat the fluid.
Boilers are crucial in a wide range of industries and applications, including residential and commercial buildings, manufacturing plants, food processing facilities, refineries, and power plants, among others. Due to their critical importance and potential hazards, boilers are subject to stringent safety standards and regulations to ensure their proper installation, operation, and maintenance.
