Waste heat boiler is a high-efficiency equipment that can use the waste heat generated in the industrial production process and convert it into useful heat energy. No matter what kind of operation you run, if you generate a lot of heat as a by-product, it's important to invest in the right type of waste heat boiler for your needs.

After all, not only is it more cost-effective in terms of saving on energy bills, but it can also improve your business' work environment and safety. So how do you choose the right waste heat boiler for your requirements? When selecting a suitable waste heat boiler, several key factors need to be considered, including heat load, waste heat characteristics, fuel type, equipment cost and operating efficiency, etc. EPCB will introduce you to some key points about waste heat boiler selection to help you make an informed decision.

Understand Waste Heat Boiler Types and Functions

Waste heat boilers have become an important tool in industrial and commercial settings as we seek ways to reduce energy costs and conserve resources. These boilers generate steam or hot water using waste heat from industrial processes or exhaust gases that would otherwise be wasted. By reusing this heat, businesses can significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.

There are several types of waste heat boiler, including fire tubes, water tubes and heat recovery steam generators, each with unique features and applications. Understanding the features and capabilities of each type is critical to choosing the right device to meet business needs. With the help of waste heat boilers, we can work towards a more sustainable future by minimizing waste and maximizing energy efficiency.

Each Type of Waste Heat Boiler Advantages and Disadvantages

Waste heat boilers are an innovative solution for converting waste heat from industrial processes into useful energy. They help recover energy that might be lost, but not all waste heat boilers are created equal. There are many types of waste heat boilers, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Fire tube waste heat boiler:

The heat exchange pipe of the fire tube waste heat boiler is composed of fire tubes, and the flue gas flows through the fire tubes to transfer heat energy to water or other media.

Advantages:

The design is simple, the structure is compact, and the space occupied is small.

The self-cleaning properties of the fire tube prevent coking and soot build-up on the flue gas side.

The heat exchange efficiency is high, and most of the waste heat in the flue gas can be recovered.

Disadvantages：

It has high requirements on water quality and is easily affected by water quality problems (such as scale and corrosion).

The structure inside the fire tube is relatively fragile, and attention should be paid to prevent the pressure difference between the smoke side and the water side from being too large.

Water tube waste heat boiler:

The heat exchange pipe of the water-tube waste heat boiler is composed of water pipes, and the flue gas flows through the water pipes to transfer heat energy to water or other media.

Advantage:

It can adapt to high temperature and high pressure working conditions, and is suitable for large waste heat recovery systems.

The water in the water pipe can be used for cooling and cleaning, reducing the risk of coking and dust accumulation.

It has good heat exchange efficiency and can recover waste heat in a large amount of flue gas.

Disadvantages：

The design is complicated, the structure is relatively large, and the space occupied is relatively large.

The interior of the water pipes is easily affected by water quality problems and requires water quality treatment and regular cleaning and maintenance.

Heat Recovery Steam Generator:

The heat recovery steam generator converts the heat energy in the flue gas into steam through the heat exchange between the flue gas and water.

Advantage:

It can efficiently use the waste heat in the flue gas to generate steam for heating, power and other needs.

It is suitable for industrial fields that require a large amount of steam, and can realize efficient use of energy.

Disadvantages：

For some applications, the investment and operating costs of heat recovery steam generators are high.

The water quality requirements are high, and water quality treatment and regular cleaning and maintenance are required.

The start-up and shutdown process takes a certain amount of time, and it is impossible to respond to changes in heat load in real time.

Waste Heat Boiler Selection Points

Heat load calculation:

First of all, it is necessary to accurately calculate the heat load in the industrial production process, that is, the amount of heat energy required. This can be done by considering factors such as the power of the heating equipment, heat losses in the production process, and the amount of hot water or steam required. The heat load calculation will provide you with the basis for selecting a waste heat boiler.

Waste heat characteristics:

Understanding the characteristics of the waste heat generated is critical for sizing. Parameters such as temperature, flow and pressure of the waste heat will affect the design and performance of the waste heat boiler. Make sure that the operating parameters of the waste heat boiler match the waste heat characteristics for optimal energy recovery.

Fuel type:

Choosing the right type of fuel is a critical decision. Different fuel types (such as natural gas, oil, biomass, etc.) have different energy costs and environmental impacts. Choose the fuel type that matches your industrial production process, considering fuel supply reliability, cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.

Equipment cost and operating benefits:

The equipment cost of waste heat boiler includes purchase, installation and maintenance costs and so on. At the same time, it is also necessary to evaluate its operational benefits, including energy recovery efficiency, operational reliability and maintenance costs, etc. Comprehensive consideration of equipment cost and operating benefits ensures that the selected waste heat boiler can achieve considerable economic returns in long-term use.

Technical support and after-sales service:

It is very important to choose a reliable supplier or manufacturer to provide technical support and after-sales service. Ensure timely access to professional technical support and repair services to ensure the normal operation of the HRSG and maximize its performance.

Conclusion

Investing in a waste heat boiler is an important decision that requires you to consider factors such as heat load, waste heat characteristics, fuel type, equipment cost and operating efficiency. In addition, choose a reliable supplier or manufacturer to provide good technical support and after-sales service to ensure the normal operation and performance of the waste heat boiler.

If you have other questions about boiler selection, please contact EPCB, and professional engineers will serve you.

EPCB, your personal boiler system expert!