Boiler Systems: The Shipping Industry

THE PETER SMITH VALVE COMPANY LTD WWW.PETERSMITHVALVE.CO.UK BOILER SYSTEMS: THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY A boiler is one of the most important systems on a ship. It requires frequent and special routine care for starting and stopping the boiler in order to achieve an efficient and economic working ship. Here we provide an overview of how a range of valves are used for the industrial boiler systems within the shipping industry. We also look into the important steps of the 'boiler blow down procedure'. INSIDE THE SHIP 5 6 3 1 2 1 BOILER ROOMS 2 PUMP ROOMS PIPE INSULATION NAVIGATION ROOMS SLEEPING 4 MESS HALLS QUARTERS STEPS FOR BLOW DOWN PROCEDURE SHIP'S SIDE (5) (4) (3) (1) BOILER 1. Open the overboard or ship side valve (1) first. 2. Open the blow down valve (2), this valve is a non-return valve. 3. The blow down valve adjacent to the boiler (2) should be opened fully so as to prevent cutting of the valve seat or the "Wire drawing effect". 4. The rate of blow down is controlled by the valve (3). 5. After blow down close the valve in reverse order. 6. A hot drain pipe even when all valves are closed indicates a leaking blow down valve. BOILER BLOW DOWN ADVANTAGES BOILER BLOW DOWN DISADVANTAGES If the procedure is not done correctly with the determined schedule, the Blow down of boiler water at regular intervals keeps the total dissolved solid impurities under the rated limits. blow down of boiler water tends to increase the heat as well as pressure losses. The process helps in preventing corrosion as it removes the impurities which accelerate the The heat and pressure losses from the boiler water blow down will corrosion process. reduce boiler efficiency. It helps in preventing scaling of boiler tubes and internal surface. If the blow down arrangement is manual, additional work hours needed to conduct the It prevents the carryover of impurities and operation. contaminants with the steam, providing the pure steam. Many different types of valves may be found in parts of a marine industrial boiler system. The Peter Smith Valve Company Limited are specialists in the design and manufacturing of small to medium high quality valves for the control of fluids and gases in most pipe conveying systems. For more information on our products visit www.petersmithvalve.co.uk THE Peter Smith Valve Company Limited Occupation Road, Cinderhill Road Bulwell, Nottingham PETER SMITH VALVE COMPANY LTD NG6 8RX T: +44 (0)115 927 2831 www.petersmithvalve.co.uk