PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND THERMAL EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION OF A LOW PRESSURE BOILER PERFORMANC EVALUATION AND THERMAL EFFICIENCY OPTIMIZATION OF A LOW PRESSURE BOILER

Abstract

The present research investigates the performance evaluation and thermal efficiency optimization of a low-pressure boiler under continuous operation. A 24-hour dataset comprising steam pressure, steam flow rate, enthalpy, fuel consumption, and equivalent evaporation was analyzed to assess boiler behavior. The results reveal that thermal efficiency ranges from 70.24% to 80.49%, with an average efficiency of approximately 75%, indicating satisfactory but variable performance. Steam generation was found to be stable within 3250–3700 kg/hr, while pressure exhibited minimal fluctuations between 7.1 and 7.9 bar, confirming consistent operating stability. Equivalent evaporation and factor of evaporation were calculated to benchmark performance against standard reference conditions. Efficiency deviations were primarily associated with variations in combustion quality and fuel-air management rather than load instability. The findings emphasize the significance of optimizing burner operation, implementing automated control for pressure and flow, and monitoring feedwater enthalpy to achieve sustained efficiency improvements. This study contributes to enhancing operational strategies for low-pressure boilers, with implications for industrial energy efficiency and cost reduction.