What is Smoke tube boiler? | Construction & Working of fire tube boiler |
In a smoke tube boiler the exhaust gas or flue gas flows inside the tube from the combustion chamber and heats up the surrounding water and turns it into steam.
Construction:
In this boiler, a combustion chamber is placed which acts as a source of heat energy for this boiler and is connected to the tube which provides a path for hot flue gasses or combustion gas to the exhaust funnel. The tube is placed in a tank with water surrounding it.
Working of smoke tube boiler:
When hot flue gasses or combustion gasses pass through the tube, heat exchange takes place between the tube and water. Since there is a large quantity of water, it will take time to heat all the water present there and slowly start to produce steam.
Mostly used on Bulk Carriers, Container Ships, and RO-RO Ships. This boiler is used wherever the pressure is needed among 6-7 bar. It is also known as SCOTCH MARINE BOILER.
Advantages:
- Simple in Construction.
2. Relatively Inexpensive.
3. Compact Sizes.
Dis-Advantages:
- Excessive time is required to raise steam.
2. Cannot generate high amounts of steam.
Difference between Water Tube Boiler and Smoke Tube Boiler
| Water Tube Boiler | Smoke Tube Boiler |
| Water circulated inside the tubes , and tubes are surrounded by hot flue gasses. | Hot flue gasses circulated inside the tubes , and tubes are surrounded by water. |
| It can generate steam pressure up to 350 bar. | It can generate steam pressure up to 25 bar. |
| Rate of steam generation is higher. | Rate of steam generation is lower. |
| Suitable for large power plants. | Suitable for small power plants. |
| For the same capacity floor space required less. | For the same capacity more floor space is required. |
| Operating cost is high. | Operating cost is less. |
| Overall efficiency is 90%. | Overall efficiency is75%. |
| More problems of bursting and overheating. | Less problem of bursting and overheating. |
Note:
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