For consulting engineers tasked with planning, designing, and supervising construction projects for a wide range of industries, advanced electric boilers – particularly high voltage electrode boilers – offer numerous advantages over traditional fossil fuel burning boilers. Due to advances in technology, these boilers can match the capacity (up to 65 MW) and output (270,000 pounds of steam per hour) of traditional gas or oil-fired boilers in a much smaller footprint while converting almost all the energy to heat.
These zero-emission, high voltage electrode boilers are used in diverse environments for applications such as centralized heating, power plants, nuclear stations, swing-load balancing, solar/wind energy consumption, and fuel boiler replacement.
“Communities and businesses appreciate the eco-friendly nature of ultra-efficient, electric boilers. Without combustion, these boilers are safe, clean, and emission free. The design eliminates many environmental issues associated with fuel burning boilers, such as fuel fumes, fly ash, and large obtrusive exhaust stacks,” says Robert Presser, Vice President of Acme Engineering, a manufacturer of industrial and commercial boilers.
However, the challenge for consulting engineers is that many have experience with gas-fired boilers but are less familiar with the selection and implementation of advanced electric boilers, especially the high voltage, high-capacity alternatives available today.
To bridge the knowledge gap, boiler technology expert Robert Presser provides a brief overview of what consulting engineers most need to understand about electric boiler technology, including its selection, implementation, and benefits, which include superior energy efficiency, output control, and safety. Acme, which has operations in the U.S., Canada, and Europe, provides state-of-the-art boilers and accessories for some of the world’s most renowned companies including Siemens, Toshiba, Bechel, PG&E, Power & Mine, and Hydro Quebec.
According to Presser, here are some important points for consulting engineers to consider:
Selecting an Electric Boiler
Types of Electric Boilers
• In the high voltage category, electrode boilers consist of two basic types: immersion and water jet.
Capacity
• Determine how much capacity will be required by the user, business, or community.
Installation
• Consider whether there is sufficient high voltage power, and if a new transformer will be required.
The Benefits of Electric Boilers
Energy Efficiency
• Advanced electrode boiler technology is up to 99.9% efficient at converting energy into heat in the case of Acme’s CEJS, which has a boiler capacity from 6MW to 68MW.
Output Control
• In advanced high voltage electric boilers, the control system automatically monitors factors such as water level, steam pressure, conductivity, and electrical imbalances so energy input and adjustment is precise and virtually immediate.
Increased Safety
• High voltage electric boilers are inherently much safer to use than traditional, combustion-fueled boilers, which can emit harmful vapors, leak gas, and even cause explosions and fires.
• Since electric boiler design does not rely on combustion, it does not create emissions that would endanger the operator or environment. The design eliminates common problems associated with fossil fuel burning boilers such as fuel fumes, fly ash, and large obtrusive exhaust stacks.
Although consulting engineers are experts in their designated fields, keeping up to date with the latest developments in advanced electric boiler technology can provide significant advantages in providing hot water and steam for a variety of industrial purposes.
Understanding how to select, specify, and install electric boilers for the specific situation will conserve substantial energy, space, and resources compared to fuel-fired options. In addition, it will facilitate project success as well as a safer environment that contributes to combatting global warming.
For more info, contact Robert Presser at Acme Engineering via e-mail: [email protected]; phone: (514) 342-5656; or web: acmeprod.com/hv-electrode-boilers.