Effect of altitude on capacity & design of steam boiler
Effect of altitude on capacity & design of steam boiler
(OP)
Hello,
I am wondering if the altitude of the site have an effect on a HFO fired steam boiler capacity and its design.
The reason that I am asking this question is that we intend to purchase a HFO fire steam boiler of 1Ton/hr but the manufacturer is telling us that the 1Ton/hr will not be enough since the boiler is located at a high altitude (approx 1300m) and hence we should opt for 2Ton/hr. The explanation we received from the manufacturer is as follows:
Calculation of burner power:
Boiler capacity=1T/hr
Boiler efficiency=90%
Altitude of site=1276m thus Atmospheric pressure=0.845MPa
Pressure correction factor=1.2
Burner power= 700/0.9 *1.2=933kW
The 1Ton/hr manufacturer's boiler has been designed for light fuel oil and is not suitable for high altitudes.
The furnace size is also not suitable for HFO firing
The boiler should be designed for HFO and at high altitude and consequently their 2Ton/hr boiler will be the most suitable for these conditions.
I am kinda confused on the logic behind this explanation, so if anyone could enlighten me.
Thanks!
I am wondering if the altitude of the site have an effect on a HFO fired steam boiler capacity and its design.
The reason that I am asking this question is that we intend to purchase a HFO fire steam boiler of 1Ton/hr but the manufacturer is telling us that the 1Ton/hr will not be enough since the boiler is located at a high altitude (approx 1300m) and hence we should opt for 2Ton/hr. The explanation we received from the manufacturer is as follows:
Calculation of burner power:
Boiler capacity=1T/hr
Boiler efficiency=90%
Altitude of site=1276m thus Atmospheric pressure=0.845MPa
Pressure correction factor=1.2
Burner power= 700/0.9 *1.2=933kW
The 1Ton/hr manufacturer's boiler has been designed for light fuel oil and is not suitable for high altitudes.
The furnace size is also not suitable for HFO firing
The boiler should be designed for HFO and at high altitude and consequently their 2Ton/hr boiler will be the most suitable for these conditions.
I am kinda confused on the logic behind this explanation, so if anyone could enlighten me.
Thanks!





RE: Effect of altitude on capacity & design of steam boiler
RE: Effect of altitude on capacity & design of steam boiler
A question worth asking, though, is whether there is some margin left in the boiler steaming capacity over and above the peak expected load; if so, depending on just how much margin, it might be possible to use the original size boiler but place an upper limit on the fuel firing rate so as to not exceed the amount of air available.
CR
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." [Proverbs 27:17, NIV]
RE: Effect of altitude on capacity & design of steam boiler
http://www.higherpeak.com/altitudechart.html
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/standard-atmosph...
I'm still not sure though if this calls for a boiler double the size. It just seems they don't have the right equipment for you available off the shelf. And it is not designed for HFO, and not for high altitudes. Perhaps you can talk to other potential suppliers.
Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE
RE: Effect of altitude on capacity & design of steam boiler
I would be very interested in the partial capacity of both boilers offered boilers at your elevation
Additionally, what is the fuel efficiency at the various offered partial efficiencies ?
Can you meet the license emissions requirements if you need to run the 2 TPH boiler at partial capacity ????
Tell us more about performance .....
MJCronin
Sr. Process Engineer
RE: Effect of altitude on capacity & design of steam boiler