MCCCD Program Description

Low Pressure Steam Boiler

Course: FAC245

First Term: 2010 Spring

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S

Description: Operational characteristics of a low pressure steam boiler, boiler design and construction, boiler fittings, feedwater, fuel, operations, and operating procedures and safety

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Explain the combustion theory and the by-products of combustion. (I) 2. Describe the heat transfer process. (II) 3. Define the terms associated with heat transfer. (II) 4. Explain the difference between a fire tube and a water tube boiler. (III) 5. Explain the difference between low pressure and high pressure boilers. (IV) 6. Identify the types of components directly connected to the Boiler (boiler fittings). (V) 7. Describe the operation of components located in the feedwater system. (VI) 8. Explain the operation and components within the steam system. (VII) 9. Explain the operation and components of the fuel system. (VIII) 10. Explain the operation and components of the draft system. (IX) 11. Define the operation, components, and requirements of boiler water treatment. (X) 12. Identify the procedure for proper boiler operations. (XI) 13. Describe safe boiler operations. (XII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Combustion Theory and By-products A. Combustion 1. Fuel 2. Oxygen 3. Heat source B. By-products 1. Water vapor 2. Heat 3. Carbon dioxide II. Heat Transfer Process A. Hot to Cold 1. Methods a. Conduction b. Radiation c. Convection III. Firetube and Watertube A. Firetube 1. Water side 2. Fire side 3. Tube sheet 4. Refractory (fire brick) 5. Scotch marine, firebox boiler and horizontal return tubular B. Watertube 1. Industrial 2. Commercial 3. Straight-Tube 4. Bent-Tube 5. Membrane Watertube IV. Low Pressure, High Pressure Boilers A. Low Pressure-15 Pounds or Less Pressure B. High Pressure-Above 15 Pounds Pressure and 6 Horse Power 1. One horse power is 33,472 Btu/hr 2. British thermal unit (BTU) V. Boiler Fittings A. Safety Valve(s) B. Steam Pressure Gauges C. Water Column (Water Level Gauge Glass) D. Blowdown Valves E. Pressure Controls (Operating and Safety) F. Fusible Plug G. Boiler Vent VI. Feedwater System A. Feedwater Valves B. Check Valves C. Condensate Return Tank and Pump D. Vacuum Pump E. Feedwater Pump F. Feedwater Heater G. Backflow Preventer H. Feedwater Regulator I. Low Water Fuel Cutoff VII. Steam System A. Steam Valves B. Position of Rising Stem 1. Open - stem up 2. Closed - stem down C. Steam Header D. Steam Traps 1. Nonreturn 2. Thermostatic 3. Float thermostatic 4. Inverted bucket 5. Thermodynamic E. Steam strainer VIII. Fuel Systems A. Fuel Oil 1. Viscosity 2. Flash point 3. Fire point 4. Pour point 5. Volatility 6. Atomization B. Fuel Oil Grades 1. Distillate fuel oil a. Number 1 b. Number 2 2. Heavy (residual) fuel oil a. Number 4 b. Number 5 c. Number 6 3. Heating capacity a. Number 2=141,000 Btu/gal b. Number 4=146,000 Btu/gal c. Number 5=148,000 Btu/gal d. Number 6=150,000 Btu/gal 4. Fuel oil strainers 5. Fuel oil pumps 6. Fuel oil burners a. Air atomizing b. Steam atomizing c. Pressure atomizing d. Rotary cup 7. Gas systems a. Natural gas (1). 950-1050 Btu/cubic foot (2). Lighter than air b. Liquefied petroleum gas (LP) (1). 2500 Btu/cubic foot (2). More dense that air (3). Special safety procedures c. Gas burners d. Combination gas/fuel oil system e. Coal systems f. Modulating control systems g. Flame safeguard systems h. Flame scanners (1). Flame rod (2). Photocell (3). Ultraviolet (4). Infrared i. Combustion efficiency IX. Draft Systems A. Natural Draft B. Breeching C. Mechanical Draft 1. Forced 2. Induced 3. Combination D. Draft Measurement E. Draft Control F. Stacks G. Stack Condensation X. Boiler Water Treatment A. Boil-out Procedure B. Scale (Hard Water) C. Corrosion (Sodium Sulfite) D. Caustic Embrittlement E. Priming and Carryover F. Foaming G. Analysis 1. Alkalinity 2. Acidic 3. Neutral (7) 4. pH meter 5. Hardness (titration) 6. Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) - conductivity meter H. Feedwater Treatment I. Deaerators J. Chemical Feeders K. Blow Down XI. Boiler Operations A. Shift Change B. Blowdown C. Low Water Fuel Cutoff D. Flame Scanner E. Boiler Start-up Procedures XII. Boiler safety A. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) B. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) C. Codes and Standards 1. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) 2. National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors 3. National Fire protection association (NFPA) 4. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 5. Underwriters Laboratories, Incorporated (UL) 6. Insurance agencies 7. Military standards (MIL standards) 8. Trade associations D. Fire Safety Plan E. Class of Fires 1. Ordinary combustibles 2. Flammable liquids 3. Electrical equipment 4. Combustible metals F. Confined Space G. Hazardous Material Labeling H. Material Safety Data Sheets I. Personal Protection Equipment J. Lockout/Tagout K. Accident reports

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 10/27/2009

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.