Software Tools for Determining Boiler Performance

Boilers play an important role in many process industries as well as in power generation (Nag, 2002). Boilers generate steam, which is widely used for heating purposes or as a source of energy to power mechanical plant and equipment such as driving a turbine for power production. In these industries, steam generation makes up a substantial portion of the energy cost. Inefficient steam generation will result in heat losses and this inevitably leads to energy wastage, thus justifying the importance of determining the boiler’s performance for optimum and efficient operation. This chapter describes the work carried out in developing software tools for assessing boiler performance and how the results can be utilized to improve boiler efficiency.