Front view of 16 ton Boiler.

This boiler has been converted to operate as a steam boiler in summer and as a hot water boiler in winter when heat is needed in the different departments

Sterilizing Soil Before Planting.

A further use for steam, sterilizing the soil instead of using poison.

Operators.

These are examples of what an operator should not be doing /sleeping on duty

Questions Relating to Boiler Operation. A good test for boiler operators

Give a short description on how to prepare a fire.
When starting your boiler where should your dampers be?
Having lit the fires, give a short summary of how to get your fires to burn properly.
What is the function of the Mobrey`s.(a) Describe what the single Mobrey does and (b) describe what the dual Mobrey does, (c) How often should the Mobrey`s be tested and why?
Describe how to blow down the gauge glasses, and explain why the gauge glasses must be blown down and how often.
Explain how to test the safety valves and explain why they should be tested and how often.
When steaming how often must the boiler be blown down and why?
In case of a power failure what steps should be taken and in which order?
In the following emergencies, describe what should be done?
(a) Low water
(b) High water
(c) Live coals falling off rear of stoker
(d) Safety valves lifting
(e) Pump tripping out
(f) Stoker jamming
(g) I D fan tripping
(h) Alarm sounding.
When raising steam from cold how long must be taken and what procedures should be followed?
When putting the boiler on range describe what must be done and why?
Why should the Main steam stop valve/Crown valve not be opened too quickly, and what can happen if it is opened too fast?
When steam demand decreases how do you control your boiler?
When the demand increases what must be done to maintain pressure?
Who is allowed to make adjustments to the boiler?
How often should the boiler be de-ashed?
How often should your fires be checked?
How do you bank a fire?
How do you un-bank a fire?
Why is it important to maintain a ballanced draft?
Where can you check to see if your fires are burning properly?
By looking at your fires how can you tell if they are burning properly?
What is a short fire and what is a long fire?
Whatdistance from the end of the grate should your fires be dead?
What is a balanced draft?
How many turns of the stoker indicator disc does it take to advance the stoker one link?
Where is the air release valve?
At what pressure should the air release valve be closed when raising steam?
When raising steam why should the air release valve be open?
What is the maximum pressure at which the boiler may be operated?

Nightmare wiring.

The photos show a boiler panel with what I call nightmare wiring.

Expansion Bellows.
From the photo`s you can see examples of a correctly fitted bellows and a bellows which is incorrectly fitted. It is obvious from the incorrectly fitted bellows that no allowance was provided for the expansion of the steam line, whereas with the other bellows enough allowance was made for the expansion. Remember when fitting the bellows, a steam line expands at approximately 2mm for every meter of piping. Sufficient anchor points should be provided so that the piping does not push the building or any brackets on which it is resting. The steam piping must be able to move on its supports either by means of hanging brackets or on rollers or as illustrated with slide brackets which allows the piping to expand along its length while preventing it from moving either up or towards the side.

View from Boiler House door

This is the view from the boiler house door that greets one after having worked a long night,it is enough to lift the spirits of even the most jaded person. The photo was taken at 05.19hrs on 09/01/09.