Firing into a industrial boiler

[ricphysic]

Which transfers more heat inside a water tube boiler furnace. The flame entering the boiler, or the combustion gases generated by the flame from a combustion chamber located outside the boiler?

Assume the flame is not impinging any water tube.

Would appreciate any and all feedback…with a brief explanation. Or perhaps you know of a better website where this question could be posted...or reference manual?

Thank you.

 

[Meir Achuz]

The "flame" is just the light caused by the combustion gases.

 

[charng]

I would like to provide a response to the question of what transfers more heat inside a water tube boiler furnace - the flame entering the boiler or the combustion gases generated by the flame from a combustion chamber located outside the boiler.

First, it is important to understand the basic principles of heat transfer. Heat can be transferred through three mechanisms: conduction, convection, and radiation. In the case of a boiler furnace, both convection and radiation play a significant role in transferring heat.

Convection is the transfer of heat through the movement of fluids, such as air or water. In the case of a boiler, the hot combustion gases produced by the flame would be considered the fluid that transfers heat through convection. These gases move through the water tubes, heating the water as they pass through.

Radiation, on the other hand, is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. In the case of a boiler, the flame itself would be considered the source of radiation. As the flame burns, it emits electromagnetic waves that transfer heat to the surrounding surfaces, including the water tubes.

So, to answer the question, both the flame entering the boiler and the combustion gases generated by the flame from a combustion chamber located outside the boiler contribute to the transfer of heat inside the water tube boiler furnace. The flame itself provides radiation heat transfer, while the combustion gases provide convection heat transfer.

In terms of which one transfers more heat, it would depend on various factors such as the size and intensity of the flame, the design of the boiler, and the temperature and flow rate of the gases. However, it is safe to say that both mechanisms are important in transferring heat inside the boiler furnace.

As for additional resources, I suggest consulting textbooks or online resources on thermodynamics and heat transfer. You can also reach out to a mechanical engineer or a boiler expert for more specific information on this topic.