One of the prime responsibilities of the marine engineers on a ship is to make sure that all the machinery systems are running properly. One such essential machinery in the ship’s engine room is a boiler that requires special attention since it supports several other machinery and operations.

Check out these 4 key suggestions to improve the boiler efficiency.

Supply of steam or air to burner

15-20% by weight of air is needed for efficient combustion of the fuel-oil-fired marine boiler. Controlling the excess air within the needed range will result in a decrease in flue gas losses. Remember, every 1% decrease will lead to an approximate 0.6% increase in the boiler system’s overall efficiency.

Regular blowdowns

It has been found that boiler blowdown is not regularly performed by the operators. It takes place only when a high conductivity alarm occurs or the water test results are high in chloride. Regular blowdowns must be performed for a short amount of time, which will not only reduce the thermal stresses within the boiler but will also maintain the chloride level. Just make sure to avoid constant long blowdown.

Importance of the outer shell

The outer structure of the boiler is an important part as it not only contains the pressure but also keeps the flue gas’s temperature inside the boiler intact for better heat exchanging ability. Make sure to check the insulation of the boiler for any leakage or damage. Any sort of leakage from the boiler shell must also be checked. A damaged refractory must be replaced as soon as possible.

The boiler load

If your ship has more than one boiler then make sure that the load of the boiler is neither too high nor too low. To get the maximum boiler efficiency, the best operating range is 2/3rd of the boiler load. Make sure not to run the boiler below 25% load as the efficiency decreases. Needless to say, it is always better to run less number of boilers at a high load.

Looking for world-class marine equipment in China? Connect with a sought-after South China-based marine equipment company today!