WATERTUBE boiler components

Steam Drum
The steam drum is located at the top of the boiler to provide an upper reservoir for
the water covering the generating tube bank. Water is distributed from the steam
drum to the lower drums and headers by pipes called downcomers. Generated
steam is also collected and is separated from the water in the steam drum. Boilers
are also equipped with safety valves to relieve excessive pressure. The valves are
located on the steam drum and superheater outlet. They are designed to relieve
sufficient pressure to safely steam the boiler at 120% with boiler steam stop
valves closed.

Water Drum
It provides for the distribution of water. Entering it from the Downcomers, to the
screen and generating tubes and in some cases to the water wall headers. It also
provides a space for the accumulation of suspended solids which may be
precipitated from the boiler water. The blow down connection enables these to be
blown out as required.

Headers
Located along the furnace sidewall and rearwall. These lower and upper headers
perform a similar duty to that of the drums, it connects the wall tubes as well to
the to the steam and water drums. It distributes water to the sidewall tubes and
provides another blowdown point for sludge removal.

Downcomers
These are large diameter pipes connecting the steam drum with the water drum
and lower headers to ensure proper circulation by delivering water from the steam
drum to the water drum and lower headers. The downcomers are located between
the inner and outer air casing to protect them from the direct radiant heat of the
furnace.

Risers
These consist of numerous small diameter tubes placed in the main flow of hot
gases, so forming a large heat exchanger surface. The generation of the steam
takes place mainly by convection.

Screen Tubes
These are placed adjacent to the furnace, so receiving heat from the flame
together with the heat from the hot gases leaving the furnace. Therefore they need
a relatively large diameter to keep the ratio of steam to water low enough to
prevent overheating. The duty of the screen tubes is to protect the Superheater
tubes from the direct radiant heat of the furnace flame.

Sootblowers
Operated by steam or compressed air. They act to blow away soot and the
products of combustion from the tube surfaces.

Economizer
The economizer is a multi-pass heat exchanger located above the main generating
bank at the base of the exhaust stack, so that combustion gas will give up a lot of
its remaining heat to the incoming feedwater before passing out the exhaust stack
The incoming feedwater absorbs about 100-200F sensible heat from the exhaust
gases. Fins are installed on the economizer tubes to increase the heating surface
area further, helping to increase efficiency.