Analysis of operational factors affecting boiler performance : Kuwait as a case study

Abstract

A boiler is a closed vessel used to heat fluid (typically water). The heat or vapours expelled by the boiler's fluid are employed in various heating techniques or applications, including sanitation, boiler-based power production, central heating, cooking, and water heating. According to the ASME performance test code (PTC), there are two techniques for determining the efficiency of a boiler: the Input-Output Method (Direct method), and the Heat Loss Method (Indirect method). Diverse studies on boiler efficiency have been undertaken over the last few decades using various methodologies, including experimental analysis and optimization methods. It is critical to monitor boiler efficiency to increase overall plant production. As a result, numerous approaches are employed to enhance boiler efficiency. Similarly, another research found that a boiler consumes approximately eighty percent of the boiler's energy and operational cost. As a result, it is noted that a variety of undesirable impacts might result in additional losses; such losses are mainly caused by unburned fuel, tube gas accumulation, convective, and radiative heat loss. As a result, this research aims to investigate boiler performance and increase boiler efficiency in the Kuwait oil and gas industries using a design optimization technique. This research thesis examined several elements to enhance the boiler's efficiency using the analysis of variance approach, including pre-heater design, economizer design, an efficient heating system design, and so on. For this objective, we used the design optimization technique to examine the feasibility and probability of boiler performance and efficiency under various conditions using empirical data from respondents in Kuwait's oil and gas business. According to the findings of this study, around 30% of heat energy is lost during the process of discharging flue gas from the boiler. As a result, the requirement for boiler design transformation is critical for improving boiler performance.