Care and Maintenance of Boilers in Food Processing Plants

摘要

Food processing plants utilizing steam for can sterilization, retort cooking, pressurized cleaning, or other direct heating purposes, require a constant supply of live steam and thus a continuous supply of water to replenish water lost at steam. Improper water quality can tremendously reduce boiler efficiency because the impurities cause scale to be deposited on the heating surface; for example, a quarter-inch scale deposit increases fuel consumption by 25%. Boiler efficiency is also reduced, and energy wasted, when fuel combustion is not adequately controlled. Proper operation and maintenance procedures are also good safety practices. Most boilers operate above atmospheric pressure and could be dangerous if improperly operated or maintained. This manual briefly reviews basic boiler construction, water quality, maintenance, operating principles, and selection considerations.