Difference between Fire Tube and Water Tube Boiler
Contents
Summary:
- The boiler is divided into two main types.
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- Fire Tube
- Water Tube
- The main difference between Fire Tube and Water Tube Boiler is that In Fire Tube Boiler, hot flue gases pass through tubes and water surrounds them, and In Water, Tube Boiler water passes through tubes and hot flue gasses is surround them. These boilers mostly use in the power development industries, sugar industries, cotton industries, etc.
Comparison Chart
Following are a few points of comparison between Fire tube and Water tube boiler:
| BASIS FOR COMPARISON | Fire Tube boiler | Water Tube boiler |
|---|---|---|
| Position of water and hot gases | Hot gases inside the tubes and water outside the tubes |
Water inside the tubes and hot gases outside the tubes |
| Operating pressure | Limited to 25 bar | More than 125 bars |
| Rate of steam generation | Lower | Higher |
| Suitability | Not suitable for large power plant |
Suitable for large power plant |
| Chance of explosion | Less due to low pressure | More due to low pressure |
| Floor space requirement | More | Less |
| Cost | Less | More |
| Requirement of skill | Required less skill for efficient and economic working |
Required more skill and careful attention efficient and economic working |
| Use | For producing process steam | For producing steam for power generation as well as process heating. |
| Scale deposition & over heating |
There are no water tubes, no the problem of scale deposition and less problem of overheating & bursting |
Small deposition of scale will cause overheating and bursting of the tubes. |
| Example | Lancashire boiler, Cochran Boiler | Babcock and Wilcox boiler |