Department of Mechanical Engineering, UET Peshawar, Jalozai campus.

Course code and Name: ME-306L Power Plant I Lab

Name of Student: Muhammad Siraj
Registration No:18JZMEC0250
Course Instructor: Engr. Arshad Ali Khan
Semester:6th
Lab Report # 02: Measuring the Boiler Efficiency of Steam Power Plant
Introduction: This experiment is based on finding the boiler efficiency of steam power
plant. The efficiency of boiler is the energy gained by the fluid divided by
the energy input to the boiler or Boiler Efficiency is “The percentage of
the total absorption heating value of outlet steam in the total supply
heating value

Objectives To determine the boiler efficiency (η) of miniature steam power plant.

Equipment/Apparatus Miniature Steam Power Plant

Description
Safety Precautions ● The water level in the boiler should always be visible in
thegauge glass.
● The recommended safe working pressure should never
beexceeded.
● The boiler, when operated, must always be fitted with a safety
valve. The valve, after use, should be cleaned periodically and
ifsigns of water or damage are detected, the complete safety
valveshould be replaced. In the course of time the safety valve
spring may deteriorate by corrosion or fatigue, causing the
valve to lift at a lower pressure than the one intended. In these
circumstancesthe spring must be replaced by a similar one to
the original.
● The gas flame can be seen through the base of the boiler. If
the flame goes out the gas supply should be switched off. The
flameshould not be reignited until all gas has dispersed.
● After the system has been in use and then shut down, oil
theengine by using the lubricator that is fitted.
● Always keep the boiler and its fitting, water gauge etc clean.
● The dynamometer drive belt should be kept clean, dry and
free from oil contamination. The tension can be adjusted by
moving
the dynamometer and bracket on the slotted mounting holes.
The tension should be just sufficient to provide a slip free
drive.
Avoid excessive tension as this increases the friction power
lost in the drive and may cause damage to the bearings.
Ensure that the dynamometer and engine center lines are kept
parallel.
Labeled
Diagram/Sketch
Theoretical Boiler: The boiler is defined as a closed vessel into which water is
Background heated the point it is converted into steam at the imperative pressure. The
boiler function is either to produce steam. Steam boiler heat water for the
domestic or commercial purpose heating and hot water supply. Steam
boiler provide steam for power turbines to generate power and other
various industrial heating applications.
Steam has enormous amount of energy. It makes the turbine quite
efficient.
 Classification of Boiler:
The boilers may be classified as follows:
 Horizontal, Vertical and Inclined Boilers
 Externally Fired and Internally Fired
 Fire-tube boiler and Water-tube boiler.
 Natural circulation and Forced Circulation
 High Pressure and Low-Pressure boilers
 Stationary and Portable boilers
 Single tube and Multitude boilers.
The explanation of the above types of boilers is as follows.
1. Horizontal, Vertical, and Inclined Boilers:
If the axis of the boiler is horizontal, then the boiler is of horizontal type.
If the axis of the boiler is vertical, then it is called a vertical boiler.
If the axis of the boiler is inclined, then it is called an inclined boiler.
The parts of a horizontal boiler can be inspected and repaired easily. But,
it occupies more space and the vertical boiler occupies less floor area.
2. Externally Fired and Internally Fired Boilers
The boiler is known as externally fired boiler if the fire is outside the
shell.
For example, Babcock and Wilcox Boiler.
In the case of internally fired boilers, the furnace is located inside the
boiler shell.
For example, Cochran, Lancashire boiler, etc.
3. Fire-tube boiler and Water-tube boiler:
In the fire tube boilers, the hot gases are inside the tubes and the water
surrounds the tubes.
For Example, Cochran, Lancashire boiler, etc.
In the water tube boilers, the water is inside the tubes and hot gases around
them
For example, Babcock and Wilcox Boiler.
4. Natural circulation and Forced Circulation:
In forced Circulation type of boilers, the circulation of water is done by a
forced pump.
For example, Lamont Boiler, Benson Boiler, etc.
In the natural circulation type of boilers, the circulation of water in the
boiler takes place due to the natural convection currents produced by the
application of heat.
 Ex: Lanark shire, Babcock and Wilcox boiler.
5. High Pressure and Low-Pressure boilers:
High-Pressure Boilers:
The boilers which produce steam at pressures of 80 bar and above are
called high-pressure boilers.
For example, Babcock and Wilcox, Lamont, Benson boilers.
Low-Pressure Boilers:
The boilers which produce steam at a pressure below 80 bar are called
low-pressure boilers.
For example, Cochran, Lancashire, and locomotive boiler.
6. Stationary and Portable Boilers:
Primarily, the boilers are classified as either stationary or mobile(marine
and Locomotives)
Stationary boilers are used for power plant steam for Central station
utility power plants
Portable Boilers:
Portable or mobile boilers include the locomotive type and other small
units for temporary usage at sites (Just as in small coal-field pits).

7. Single tube and Multi-tube Boilers:

If a fire tube is just one, then it is called a Single tube boiler.
For example, Cornish, Simple Vertical Boiler.
If fire tubes are more than one, they are called as Multi-tube boilers.

First we define efficiency. There are many ways to present it, for example,
efficiency is the ability to do something without wasting energy, effort or
time. Put it mathematically, it is the ratio of useful output to thermal energy
input. Layperson often uses the terms efficiency and effectiveness
interchangeably however efficiency is to do with minimizing waste and
effectiveness to do with maximizing output (more on this in Heat
Exchangers Lab). Boiler efficiency is sometimes defined as combustion
efficiency which is computed by the ratio of the burner’s capability to burn
fuel completely to the unburnt fuel and excess air in the exhaust. Thermal
efficiency on the other hand, indicates the heat exchanger’s (i.e. boiler’s)
capacity to transfer heat from the combustion process to the water or steam
in the boiler. In general, the maximum boiler efficiency attainable from a
boiler depends on such factors as method of burning the fuel, design of the
furnace and heat transfer surfaces. In addition, the type of fuel, boiler load
and operational practices influence the boiler efficiency. In this lab, we
focus on the fuel type, boiler load and best practices.

Boiler Thermal Efficiency

Next we express the Boiler Thermal Efficiency as follows:
Thermal efficiency = energy to steam/energy from fuel
Where energy to steam is the heat transfer required to form steam. Let,
h2=specific enthalpy of steam formed, [kJ/kg],
h1=specific enthalpy of feed water, [kJ/kg].
Because the steam is formed at constant pressure, heat transfer required to
form 1 kg of steam in the boiler is
Energy to Steam= (h2-h1) [kJ]
Energy from fuel is computed from the mass of fuel used and its heat
 (calorific) value. For coal this is the heating value as measured in a bomb
calorimeter and it corresponds to the internal energy of combustion. If
mf= mass of fuel burned in a given time
ms= mass of steam generated in the same timeHV= heat value of fuel
[kJ/kg]
Energy from fuel= mf x HV [kJ]
Then we can write:

Procedure Running Procedure:

● When carrying out a test, fill the boiler with water to the top of
the water gauge glass and conduct the experiment in the time
taken for the water level to fall to the bottom of the water
gaugeglass. By using this method the boiler steam pressure can
be maintained as no “cold” water is admitted to the boiler.
● Do not let the water level below the level of the sight glass
asthere is a risk of damage or explosion if the boiler runs
dry.
● The steam engine is loaded by switching load onto the DC
generator by means of the lamps. Lamps 2,3 and 4 use 90mA at
6V and Lamp 1 uses 180mA at 12V,switching the lamps
providesa range of loads.
● The voltmeter and ammeter on the control panel are available
tomake precise measurements of the output of the generator.
● Engine speed is measured using the hand held optical
tachometersupplied.
● Set the gas flow rate to maintain a steady boiler pressure. Do
notlet the pressure increase above 4.6 bars. The safety valve
may
release very hot steam above this pressure.
Experimental Procedure:
● Carefully read all of the instructions.
Immediately switch off the gas supply if the burner gas out.
Add water by using the feed pump because burner is very
hotif the water level falls below one quarter of the sight
glass.
Observe the burner flame water level.
● Start the cooling water flow through the condenser
asinstructed.
 Light the glass burner.
● Allow the steam pressure in the boiler to rise to 4 bars
andthen start the engine.
● Switch the bulb 1 to load the engine, adjust the fuel flow
tohold a constant boiler pressure whilst the generator is
producing at a voltage of approximately 9 volts.
● When the system is stable start the test period by
collectingthe condensate and taking the readings.
Condensate may be measured by weighing the deposit over
afixed period of time
(3mints) or alternatively by measuring the time required to
filla fixed volume (100ml).
● Take further sets of readings 1 minute intervals and when
the test is finished remove the source of heat to the boiler.
Check that there is sufficient water in the boiler for a further
test.
● Select a different load on the DC generator and repeat
asrequired and Shut down the boiler.
Shutdown Procedure:
● Remove the load from the DC generator by switching the
lampsout of circuit.
● Turn off the gas supplying the boiler.
● Allow the engine to run until the steam pressure in the boiler
hasfallen to a safe level, Close the boiler steam valve.
● Allow condenser cooling water to flow until all the heat has
beencarried away and then turn off the water supply.
When the system is cold:
Drain: Boiler, Tanks,
LubricatorOpen: Engines
cylinders drain Remove:
Engine Pulley belt
Disconnect: Gas supply
● Oil all mechanical parts. The oil available is cylinder oil
suitablefor engine and bearings lubrication.
Observation and Observation:
calculation

reading values Units

Boiler pressure 3 - - Bars
Fuel flow 1.5 L/min
Condenser C/W flow 250 Cm3/min
Boiler feed water (T2) 37 C0
Boiler steam output(T3) 139 C0
ms 50 mL
Time 2.10 min

Calculation:

Boiler Efficiency=Energy gained by fluid/total energy input

 Total energy input= fuel flow rate *calorific value
Total energy input = mfCVf

Let say mf = 0.0015m3/min = 0.0015 m3/min

Total energy input = 0.0015 x 40.25
Total energy input =0.060375 KJ/min
Energy gained by the fluid= ms(hs - hfw)
=.02304(2737.7-142.47)
Energy gained by the fluid =0.05976 kj/min
Boiler Efficiency = 98.98％

Conclusion As from the results we saw that the efficiency of the boiler is 98.98% and
after detail analysis we came to the point that as the temp of boiler feed
increases it results in increased efficiency.