- Stirling Boiler Definition: A Stirling Boiler is defined as a type of bent tube boiler used for generating large amounts of steam in power plants.
- Structure: It has three steam drums on top and two mud drums at the bottom, connected by bent steel tubes.
- Heat Management: A brick enclosure and fire brick arch manage heat effectively by preventing dissipation and guiding combustion gases.
- Circulation System: Water and steam circulate through specific tubes connecting the mud and steam drums, ensuring efficiency.
- Safety and Applications: It features a safety valve on the back steam drum and is used in central power stations due to its high capacity.
A Stirling Boiler is defined as a basic type of bent tube boiler commonly used in modern thermal power generating plants . It has one of the largest capacities among boilers, capable of generating up to 50,000 kg of steam per hour and producing pressure up to 60 kgf per cm². Designed by Alan Stirling in 1888, this boiler is used in central power stations due to its large capacity.
The Stirling Boiler has three steam drums at the top and two mud drums at the bottom. Bent steel tubes connect these drums, reducing mechanical stress from heating. The entire structure, including steam drums, mud drums, and tubes, is made of steel and supported by a sturdy frame.
The entire system is enclosed by a brickwork. Here the brick enclosure is used to prevent the heat dissipation to the surroundings. The fire door is constructed at the bottom side of the brick enclosure wall. The damper is provided on the other side of the brick enclosure wall to take out the combustion gas as when required.
Above the furnace, a fire brick arch is installed. The boiler system has three baffles to direct combustion gas in a zigzag path. Water circulating tubes connect the mud drums, while steam circulating tubes link the middle and outer steam drums. Additionally, hot water circulating tubes run from the front steam drum to the middle steam drum.
A safety valve is installed on the back steam drum to prevent overpressure. Steam is collected from the middle steam drum, where a steam compartment is built. The superheater is connected to this compartment via a steel pipe.
