Boilers

A boiler is a reservoir containing a heat transfer fluid with a home heating system in the case of wood and charcoal and a burner for oil or gas. Its aim is to produce and transfer heat energy to a coolant and use this energy in mechanical eg locomotive, ship or the end of space heaters. The fluid is transported through piping to the point of use.

Defining scientific system to increase the temperature of a coolant to transport heat energy.

Classification by Type of Coolant

A boiler steam engine stationary.
A boiler produces heat energy which can then be conveyed by different types of coolant. The main heat transfer fluids may be used:
• Water
Hot water:
Hot water is mainly used in heating systems of residential premises, commercial or industrial. In the field of domestic central heating is almost the only fluid used.
superheated water:
The superheated water is mainly used in heating. It can also be found in the industry.
• Steam:
The saturated steam:
The saturated steam is mainly used in process industries. The steam produced by the boiler is then heated fluid through heat exchangers. Specific machines such as paper machines may also need a supply of steam.

View of a boiler inside the home of a coal boiler water tube.
The superheated steam:
Superheated steam is used primarily for turbines, usually to cause a generator to produce electricity. This principle is used by power plants. Some industries have waste disposal. The waste used as fuel to enable them to generate electricity and all or part of the thermal energy necessary for the plant. This is called cogeneration.
• Thermal Fluids:
Thermal fluids are generally oils. They can reach high temperatures without requiring high pressure. They are used as thermal energy eg in the industry chipboard. The use of thermal fluid also allows for better precision in temperature control. However, the use of thermal fluid generates many constraints for industrial farms. They are increasingly being replaced by steam.
• The molten salts:
This is very special boiler that has little or no examples of industrial uses.