Power Boiler Feedwater and Steam

The purpose of a power boiler is to create steam by applying heat energy to water. The water supplied to the boiler, which is converted to steam, is called feedwater. This feedwater system removes any impurities in the condensate, which is steam converted back to water, preheats and pressurizes it then returns it to the power boiler steam drum. The power boiler control system maintains the proper flow of feedwater to the boiler. As the hot combustion gases pass from the furnace through the generating tube bank, steam is formed in the tubes and rises to the steam drum. This module describes the major components and flows associated with feedwater and steam in a power boiler.