CHAPTER V
ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING T H E FLOW O F STEAM,
AIR, OIL, AND WATER
6-1. ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING THE FLOW
OF STEAM.
Those accessories controlling t h e flow of steam
to be discussed ill this test are:
1. Maill Steam Stops coilt,rolling flow t o t h e
maill engines.
2. Auxiliary Steam Strops controllillg flow to
auxiliary machinery.
3. TTalves controlling steam flow through the
superheater and desuperheaters and t o t h e t,urbo-
genera,tor.
5-2. MAIN STEAM S T O P VALVE.
The main steam stop valve is located a t or near
the stlearn outlet of t h e boiler drum on saturated
steam boilers, and a t or near t h e superheater
outlet of boilers fitted with superheaters, t o con-
nect and disconilect t h e boiler and the main
FIG. 6-1.Main Steam Stop Valve.
stlearn system. Since t h e stop valve closes against
boiler pressure, the resistance to closing increases
as the cross-sectional area of t,he valve opeiliilg
decreases, reaching a, maximum just a t t,he in-
stant of complete closure. This makes i t ex-
tremely difficult to close a.n ordinary screw-
down type of valve on a high-pressure boiler.
A mechanism, such as toggles or gears, to increase
t h e mechallical advantage, may be used t o assist
va,lve closure. A toggle operated globe valve de-
signed for high pressure &earn servicz is shown
in Fig. 5-1. With t h e toggle operating gear, t,he
mechanical advantage between tjhe handwheel
and t h e va.lve stem increases as t h e valve ap-
proaches t h e fully closed positmion,so t h a t t h e
maximum force is exerted on the stem a t the
same ii~stalltt h a t t h e resistance reaches its maxi-
mum value. For safety and for damage control
' OUTLET TO
DRAIN CONNECl'IONS
 M A R I N E ENGINEERING
purposes, main steam stop valves are fitted with
distant cont,rol gear, by means of which they
can be closed or opened from the deck above or
from an adjacent compartmei~t.
The main steam stops are used either fully
open or fully closed. The seating surfaces on
the valve disc and seat of modern high pressure
steam valves usually are made of the very hard,
erosion-resisting alloy, stellite. The seat and disc
are mailufac,tured of steel and turned t,o approxi-
mate size. A shallonr groove is cut in each. These
grooves are filled with stellite by fusing stellite
welding rod met,al into the grooves. The meld
metal is turned down in a lathe, using a grinding
attachment on the lathe t o remove t h e excess
stellite and attain a highly polished surface.
Many main steam stop valves have b y p a s s
connections built into the valve body (not shown
iu Fig. 5-1). The by-pass coilnectioil consists of
a small line and v a l ~ leading
e from t h e low-er side
of the valve disc (inlet side) t o the upper or stem
side of the disc (outlet side). When the propul-
sion plant is being warmed u p this by-pass is
opened, allo~vingsteam t o warm the steam linc
slo~vly.If such a valve were not provided, t,he
main steam stop itself would have to be used, in-
creasing the danger of crodiilg the valve seat and
the possibility of warming the steam lines too
quickly, causing leaks resultii~gfrom ullequal ex-
pansion. A drain connection is provided t o drain
water which has condensed and collectcd in the
valve. Should water be carried by the steam to
the main engines when the valve is opened, it is
likely t o damngc the turbine blading. Valves hav-
ing drain connections a,re illstalled w;it,h t,he drain
coilnections on the under side of the valve body.
5-3. AUXILIARY STEAM STOP VALVE.
A11 auxiliary steam stop valve, of similar con-
struction but smaller size than the main steam
stop valve, is installed for the purpose of con-
necting or discon~lectingthe boilcr t o or frorn
the auxiliary steam line. I n saturated steam
boilers and in integral controlled superheat
boilers, the auxiliary stearn stop is connected t o
the auxiliary steam outlet of the boiler steam
drum. On integral uncoiltrolled superheater
boilers, the auxiliary steam stop is located at, the
desuperheater outlet connection. The auxiliary
steam stop, like the main steam stop, always is
either fully opened or fully closed.
Depending on thc size and desigil of the boiler,
the auxiliary steam stop may or may not be tog-
gle, gear, etc., operated and mag or may not be
of the stellited valve seat construction. I n most
cases i t is fitt,ed with distant co~ltrolgear, per-
mitting operation of the valve from outside the
fireroom space. Also, on most installations, there
is a guarding v a l ~ eill the ausiliary steam line
which is placed adjacent tlo tlhe auxiliary steam
stop valve and is not distant operated. This
arrangement allows the boiler t o be cut off the
auxiliary steam line from outside the fil.eroom
space hut does not allow it t o be put on the line
unless the guarding valve is opened in the fire-
room.
6-4. OTHER VALVES CONTROLLING STEAM
FLOW.
Boilers with uilcontrolled ttype superheaters,
Fig. 5-2, require "cooling stea.mV for the pro-
tection of the superheater tubes when lighting
off (no flow conditioils in the superheater). When
a boiler is lighted-off cold, for a period of time,
no steam is available within the drum t o pass
through the superheater and, therefore, there is
no means of carrying off the heat absorbed by the
superheater tubes from t,he gases of combustion.
T o provide a flow of "cooling1' steam through the
~uperheat~er tubes, prior t o lighting fires under
the cold boiler, steam from another steaming
boiler (from the shipyard or tender, if there is
no other steaming boiler) sometimes is bled from
the auxiliary steam line, through the superheater i stearr
t
I
protection steam valve (S.P.S.), to the super- ing t,l
heater inlet. The steam passes through the contr
superheater tubes (S.H.), out the superheater ator
outlet, through the desuperheater (D.S.H.) and,
I to thc
thencc, into the auxiliary eshaust line via the
superheater protection exhaust valve (S.P.E.). 6-6. A
After steam has formed in the boiler drum and AIR
the pressure has built u p t o about 100 psi, the Sir
superheater protection steam valve may be leadir
closed. The boiler then furnishes its onrn protec- tranc
tion steam. After the boiler has been cut-in oil draw
the auxiliary steam line, the superheater protec-
i draft
tion exhaust valve may be closed. T h c super- I
t (simil
heater protection exhaust valve also is opened
when a boiler is secured and remains open to
 ACCESSORIES COATTROLLIATG FLOW

FIG. 6-2. Destroyer-Escort Boiler (Modified D-Type) with Uncontrolled, Integral, Interdeck, Convection
Type Superheater and Economizer.
provide a cooling flow of steam through t h e super-
heater tubes as long as the furnace brick walls
radiate heat.
Most naval boiler iilstallatioils have a sepa-
rate system for supplying steam t o t h e turbo-
generators. Steam for the turbogenerators is
taken from the main steam line just after the
superheater and prior t o t h e main steam stop.
This arrangement allows t h e use of superheated
steam in the turbogenerator, without pressuriz-
ing t h e larger main steam line. T h e valve which
coiltrols this steam flow is called t h e turbogener-
ator steam stop, and is of coilstrl~ctionsimilar
t o the auxiliary steam stop.
5-6. ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING T H E FLOW OF
-,AIR
Air for combustion is drawn through ducts
leading from topside locatiolls protected from en-
trance of sea water, in case of heavy seas. Air is
drawn into turbine driven fans, called forced
draft blowers, m~hichdischarge air through flaps
(similar in construction t,o Veiletian blinds) lo-
cated in the duct leading to the boiler double cas-
ing. These flaps allow air to pass in only one direc-
tion and are necessary, when two or more forced
draft blowers are provided for each boiler, to
prevent air from flowing backwards from t h e
boiler double casing through the idle blowers,
when all blowers are not in operation.
Air enters t h e furnace through an air register
having doors capable of being operated from t h e
boiler front. T h e register doors permit t h e en-
trance of air t o t h e operating burners and ex-
clude air from the unlighted burners. Close con-
trol of the air supply m a y be attained by varying
the speed of t h e forced draft blowers through ma-
~iipulationof t h e blower throttle (valve which
controls steam t o blower turbines). Each boiler
has one blower throttle valve which coiltrols all
forced draft blowers for t h a t boiler.
Motor-driven forced draft blowers, of small ca-
pacity, are illstalled in some vessels and are in-
tended for in-port use or for lighting off purposes.
These blowers can be operated from an emer-
gency power system or diesel generators t o facili-
tate lighting off a cold plant when there is no
steam available t o run the turbogenerators.
 M A R I N E ENGINEERING
6-6. ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING T H E FLOW
O F OIL. (SEE FIG. 6-15 FOR DIAGRAMMATIC '
DRAWING OF A FUEL OIL SYSTEM.)
Oil for combustioil is pumped by the fuel oil
service pump from the fuel oil service tank to
the burners for consumption in the furnace. The
fuel oil passes first through a fuel oil meter which
measures the amount of fuel oil used in the
boilers. It is a positive displacemeilt type meter
~vhichrecords, in gallons, the amouilt of oil pass-
ing through the fuel line. This meter is much
like those comnlonly used in the city mater
systems. For proper atomization, the fuel first
must be heated ill the fuel oil heater t o the re-
quired viscositj~.The fuel oil heater is a heat
exchange unit consistiilg of corlcentric tubes
through which the fuel oil to be heated and the
heating steam pass. Fuel oil flows through the an-
nuhis between the outer and iililer tubes. Stea.m
is passed through the inner tube in the opposite
direction from the oil flow and gives off its heat
t o the fuel oil.
The fuel oil a.lso must be strained t o preveilt
solid particles from scoring or clogging the atom-
izing elements. A basket type strainer in the
line leading to the burners provides this service.
It is constructed so tha.t there are two complete
units through which the oil may pass. This provi-
sion allows for chail~lelingthe fuel oil through-one
unit while the other strainer is cleailsed a.nd read-
ied for use.
Oil leaving the fuel oil strainer passes through
a gate valve capable of being closed quickly in
an emergency. This valve is springloaded and to
close it, when the boiler fires must be shut down
rapidly, one needs only to release the handle.
The fuel oil manifold, located on the boiler
front, receives the oil and distributes it to the
various burners via the root valves. Each burner
has a root valve which must be opeiled prior t o
operating that burner. The fuel oil atomizer as-
sembly receives the oil and atomizes i t for burn-
ing in the furnace. (A special type of atomizer
for smoke making is an accessory which is pecul-
iar t o naval boilers.) The various parts of the
atomizer \?rill be studied in Chapter VI.
There are several stop valves to isolate sec-
tions of the fuel oil system. One valve, located in
the fuel oil service line just after the pump dis-
charge, is a quick-closing valve which call be op-
erated remotely to shut down the fires and stop
the flow of fuel oil in emergencies ~1-henthe fire-
room must be abandoned. Other valves are used
t o isolate or by-pass the fuel oil meter when the
fuel oil is being recirculated and not being con-
sumed in the furnace, t o by-pass portioils or all of
the fuel oil heater in order t o regulate properly
I
the temperature of the fuel oil, t o recirculate oil I
back to the pump suction mrheil warming the
fuel oil t o proper lighting off temperature in
preparatioil for lighting off the boiler, and t o
enable rapid clearing of coiltaminated oil from
the fuel lines, when such coiltamiilated oil causes
the furnace fires t o be extinguished. 1 E
6-7. ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING T H E FLOW
O F FEED WATER
The boiler feed system which supplies mater
to the boiler was described in Chapter I . Further
study of the feed pumps is beyond the scope of
this text. The valves and coiltrols associated with
feeding the boiler ~villbe discussed in the follo\i--
ing order :
1. Feed stop and check valve
2. Single element feed mater regulators
3. Two element feed water regulators
4. Three element feed water regulators
5 . Feed water regulator valves
6-8. FEED S T O P AND CHECK VALVES.
The feed stop and check valves coiltrol the
flow of feed nrater t o the boiler. Fig. 5-3 illus-
trates a type of combiiled feed stop-a,nd-check
valve installed on na.i~alboilers. The valve body
consists of either a single casting, housing both
the stop valve and the check valve, or two sepa-
rate, flanged castings bolted together. The com-
bined valve body is secured t o {;he steam drum
(or economizer inlet line) so that the stop valve
always lies b e t ~ i ~ e ethe
n check valve and the
drum. This permits closing the stop valve should
the check valve fail t o function, or if emergency
repairs to the check valve or ally part of the feed
system are required while the boiler is under
pressure or when the boiler is dead but is filled
with mater. When the boiler is steaming, the stop
valve of the feed system in use remains fully
opened a t all times, and the check valve is used
to regulate the feed mater supply to the boiler.
Since the pressure in the boiler drum acts on the
 ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING FLOW
FIG. 6-3. Combined Feed Stop and Check Valve.
top of the checli valvc disc, the check valve will
close if feed line pressure drops below the drum
pressure. When feed line pressure rises above
drum pressure, the valve opens, admitting water
to the drum. It is necessary t,o mahltain the pres-
sure in the feed system above that in the hoiler
111 order t o feed the hoilcr. With the feed pressure
so maiatained, the rate of water flow illto the
holler is controlled by regulating the amourlt of
opei~illgof the check valve. This is accon~plished
by turning the check valve hand ~vheel, t h l ~ s
moviilg the valve stem in or out, so that the
flanged end of the valve stem limits the distance
the valve call open.
TM-ocombined feed stop-and-check valves may
be installed on a boiler. When two cornbilled
valves are installed, each is connected t o a sepa-
rate feed line, one to the main feed line, the other
t o the auxiliary feed line. Both discharge t o the
intenla1 feed pipc con~lection.Only one combined
feed stop-and-check valve is in use a t ally given
time, the other being available for immediate use
in case of casualty t o either the valve or the feed
water system in use.
I n boilers fitted with economizers, thc fced
stop-and-check valves discharge t o the economiz-
er inlet. I n this case, a lift check valve usually is
installed between the ecollomizer outlet line and
the internal feed pipe connection. This check
valve permits water t o flow in hut one direction;
into the boiler. Should damage occur t o the ecoll-
omizer, the check valve closcs, preventing tlhe
water and steam in the boiler from flowing back
and out t,hrough the ruptured economizer.
6-9. AUTOMATIC FEED WATER REGULATORS.
During the era of moderate steam pressures, I i [I
regulators actuated b y floats in the steam drum ri
ur in the feed system hot-well were employed in , 1'
f
,
8
a few merchant vessels. With the advent of pres- ft
1
sures over 400 psi, this type of regulator proved
I1
inadequate. Modern boiler design has resulteci in
reducing the ratio of contained water to "ivatcr
rate." (Water rate is similar in meaning t o steam
5-6 M A R I N E ENGINEERING
rate and refers to the amount of water fed to a
boiler to replace the amount evaporated per unit
of time.) In a modern boiler, safety, as well as
efficient operation, demands an accurate, rapid
response in feedmater flow. T o meet this demand,
automatic feedwater regulators are being used
in increasing numbers.
Automatic feedwater (boiler water level) regu-
lators replace or supplement the feed check
valves. Feed check valve opening is adjusted
manually by the water tender stationed a t the
valve in response t o water level changes in the
gage glass while automatic feedwater regulators
are controlled by reactions of the boiler t o
changes in steam demand, as reflected by one
or more of the following:
1. Steam drum water level
2. Steam rate leaving the boiler
3. Feed water rate entering the boiler
There are three general types of automatic
feedwater regulators, which differ only in the
number of co~ltrollingfactors used t o regulate
the amount of water entering the boiler. These
are :
Type Controlling factor ( s )
1. Single Element Steam drum water level
2 . Two Element Steam flow from boiler and steam
drum water level
3. Three Element m7ater flow t o boiler, steam flow
from boiler, and steam drum
water level
When properly maintained and operated,
automatic feedwater regulators have the follow-
ing advantages over manual operation, because
of more even water level regulation :
1. Higher operating efficiencies
2. Reduced wear on valves
3. Smoother control of steam pressure
4. Less moisture carry-over
5. Continued safe operation during battle in
event of personnel casualties.
6-10. SINGLE ELEMENT FEEDWATER REGULA-
TORS.
There are three types of single element feed-
water regulators used in the Navy:
2. Thermo-expansion
3. Marine rhomboid
Thermo-Hydraulic Feedwater Regulator.-
The thermo-hydraulic feed water regulator con-
sists of a generator and a regulator valve (Fig.
5 4 ) . The generator is a tube within a tube.
The inner tube is coilnected to the steam drum
with one end above and one end below the water
level, so t h a t any change in water level in the
drum correspondi~lgly changes the water level
inside the tube. The outer tube forms an ailnulus
between itself and the inner tube and, together
with the connecting copper tubing and the metal
bellows of the regulating valve, forms a closed
system. Attached to the outer tube are fins to
assist cooling- by heat radiation, thereby- i m ~ r o v -
" A
ing speed of response of the system to temper-
ature changes.
The closed system is filled with water t o the
filling plug a t the top of the outer tube. The
inner tube, open to water and steam in the
steam drum, contains water and steam a t a
much higher temperature than the water in the
outer tube. Therefore, the inner tube continually
transfers heat which is absorbed by the water
in the closed system. A portion of the water in the
closed system is vaporized, forming a vapor pres-
sure which eserts a positive pressure on the closed
system. The pressure in the closed system acts
upon the bellows of the regulating valve which,
in turn, operates the regulating valve itself. The
temperature of the steam in the inner tube will
be equal t o the steam temperature in the steam
drum, since all steam in the entire steam-water
system is a t saturation temperature and any cool-
ing would cause condeizsation in the piping lead-
ing from the steam drum t o the inner tube. The
water temperature in the inner tube is somewhat
less than t h a t of the water and steam in the steam
drum because of the exposed run of piping and
attached radiating fins.
Heat transfer from the steam in the inner tube
t o the water in the closed system occurs a t a
greater rate than does heat transfer from the
water in the inner tube to the water in the closed
system for three reasons. :
1. The steam is a t a higher temperature than
the water, as explained above.
2. Heat transfer is retarded in the lower por-
tion of the inner tube, contailling water, because
 ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING FLOW 5-7

STEAM IN CLOSED SYSTEM

WATER AT BOILER PRESS

Courtesy Bailey Blrter Co.

FIG. 6 4 . Thermo Hydraulic Feed Water Regulator.
,,-'

of the presence of a stagnant film of water along
the tube walI. This film has a high resistailce to
heat transfer.
3. Heat transfer is accelerated in the upper
portion of the inner tube, containing steam,
as a result of steam condensation trickling rap-
idly down the inner tube mall removing the stag-
nant film on one side of the inner tube mall, creat-
ing better heat transfer conditions.
Changes in the water level in the steam drum
change the length of water and steam columns
in the inner tube, consequently changing the heat
transfer area of each portion of the tube. There-
fore, the total heat liberated from the inner tube
depends on the water level in the steam drum.
The regulating elenlent (generator) is inclined at
an angle of approximately 20' to increase the
length of the tube so as to magnify the effect of
changes in water level. The amount of heat liber-
ated from the inner tube controls the tempera-
 ture of the closed system and thus coiltrols the
vapor pressure iir the closed system. The lower
the water l e ~ ~in e lthe iililer tube, the greater will
be the heat transfer aiid the temperature and
pressure in the closed system will increase. The
pressure is transmitted through the copper tubing
t o the effective area of the bellows. The product
of this pressure times the effective area of the bel-
1 0 ~ exerts
~s a force which opposes the regulator
valve spriiig. Tihen the bellows and the valve
spring f orces are in equilibriun~, the regulator valve
has a definite position, uncovering a certain valve
area through which the water under feed pump
pressure can flow. The regulator valve is a bal-
anced valve, so constructed t h a t the pressure
above and below the double valve disc are the
same and very little force is required to change
the valve setting. A change in closed system
pressure of 1 psi 15 ill move the regulating valve
1/16 of an inch. This pressure change can occur
~ ~ i t h two
i n or three secoilds as a result of a slight
vaiiation of boiler level. With a higher water
level in the inner tube, the temperature in the
closed system decreases, some coildeilsatioil of
water vapor occurs, and the vapor pressure de-
creases. The bello~vsforce opposing the valve
spring decreases and the regulator valve unco~lers
a smaller valve area.
The volume of water in the closed system a t
different temperatures is proportioned so that,
~ ~ r h ethe
i l TT-aterlevel in the steam drum is high
and the inner generator tube is entirely full of
water, the regulator valve is in its extreme up-
ward position and a t miilimum opening. The
regulator valve is co~istructedso t h a t an upward
movement closes the openings in the ports of the
~ ~ a l vcagee through which tlie water flows. The
valve should never be allowed t o close completely
causing a cessation of water flow which eildailgers
the economizer. When the water level is so lorn.
,
,
t h a t the entire iiliier tube is filled with steam,
the regulator valve rill be opened wide.
The operation of the system is as follonrs: As-
sume a load t h a t requires a partial regulator
~~alv opening.
e If the steam rate being drawn off
is increased, the water level in the boiler is low-
ered. (Neglect the effect of STT-elland shrink
which will be discussed i11 a later article.) As the
water level falls in the drum and the inner tube,
a rise in pressure in the closed system follo~vs,
as discussed above. Equilibrium is not reached
until the regulator valve is opened sufficieiltly
t o replace the water being evaporated in the
boiler. Equilibrium ill be reached a t a lower
water level than existed previously since more
steam is being used and t o replace the water
evaporated, a larger quantity of feed water is
needed. This requires t h a t the regulator ~ ~ a l v e
reach equilibrium a t a wider opening t o provide
the proper amouilt of water. I11 order for it tJo
reach equilibrium a t a wider opening, the vapor
pressure in the closed system must be higher than
i t was previously t o couilteract the spring pres-
sure tending t o close the valve. This, in turn, re-
quires a lower water level in the steam drum and
the inner tube t o provide sufficient heat transfer,
from a longer columil of steam, t o produce the
higher vapor pressure in the closed system.
Now assume a full load condition. The water
level drops still further as a larger quantity of
steam is m~ithdra~vn from the boiler (again neg-
lecting the effect of wvell) and the increased
pressure in the closed syst>einopens the valve still
further until equilibrium again is reached. Opera-
tion of this system depends on a variable water
level, each level correspoildiilg t o a definite power
output and a definite valve opening. I11 other i
to
T T T Ofor~ ~each
S , steam generation rate, a different, sta
water level is mailltailled by the regulator. The re@
difference bet~veenno load and full load is about in
4 inches in the boiler drum. thc
When this type of regulator first was used for
marine service, trouble was ellcountered as a T T
result of the rolling and pitching of the ship. mc
Rolling caused a consta.nt surging of water and fer
steam in t h e iililer tube of the generator and the dr,
steam touched a larger, but coilstantly changing, 1T.l
percentage of the tube. This surging raised the Pe
temperature of the closed system and had the to
same effect oil the regulator valve as did IOTV wa- Pa
ter. This condition was improved greatly by the tei
insertion of a small orifice in the steam line lead- is
ing t o the generator, restricting the surging and I ra
aiding in maintenance of a more stable water i el(
level in the inner tube during heavy seas. I uY
Thermo-Expansion Feed Water Regulator.- I cr
The therino-expansion feed water regulator first OF
mrill be described in its simplest form, the straight i
*!
TTT:
ris
tube thermostat (Fig. 5-5). I11 this system, a
thermostat, consisting of a steel tube about four
feet long is placed aloilgside the drum. The top is
'II
'
ht
Vf
open t o the steam space and the bottom is open
i
 ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING FLOW
FIG. 6-6.Thermo-Expansion Feed Water Regulator with Straight Tube Thermostat.
to the water space. The upper end of the thermo-
stat is connected mechanically by linkages to a
regulating valve in the feed line. The water level
in the tube approximates the level of the water in
the boiler.
The tube, being filled with water and steam
which is much hotter than the surrounding at-
mosphere, coiltinually radiates heat. The trans-
fer of heat is as described for the thermo-hy-
draulic regulator and the upper end of the tube,
which is exposed to the steam, is a t a higher tem-
perature than the lower part, which is exposed
to the water. By virtue of its coefficient of ex-
pansion, the thermostat length varies with its
temperature, xvhich increases as the water level
is lowered and decreases as the water level is
raised. The tuhe is fixed a t the lower end and
elongatioil of the tube causes a bell crank a t the
upper end t,o turn counterclockwise. As the bell
crank arm rotates, it turns the valve arm and
opens the regulating valve, permittillg more
water to flow into the boiler. As the water level
rises, the steam space in the tube decreases, less
heat is given off, and the tuhe contracts. The
valve opening is reduced and less water flows
5-0
Courtesy Northern Equifimct:t C o .
illto the boiler. The water level-steaming rate
characteristics of the thermo-expansion type
feed water regulator are similar to those of the
thermo-hydraulic type. Both depend on a vari-
able water level, each level corresponding t o a
definite power output and a definite valve open-
ing. Provision is made for adjusting the water
level for any firing rate by means of an adjust-
ment nut a t the fixed end of the thermostat tube.
Turning this nut has the same effect as elongat-
ing or shortening the thermostat tube.
Marine Rhomboid Feed Water Regulator.-
The thermo-expansion type of regulator described
above is unsatisfactory when coilsidered from the
standpoiilt of pitching and rolling. Its principle
of operation has been discussed to provide a
background for the esplailation of the marille
rhomboid feed water regulator, which takes its
name from the shape of the linkage which trans-
m i t , ~motion to the regulator valve. The marine
rhomboid thermostat, Fig. 5-6, is mounted in
front of the hoiler drum and co~isistsof txvo stain-
less steel tuhes inclined a t 45' angles and mount-
ed in a rigid triangular shaped channel frame.
The upper ends are connected t o the steam space
 5;
and the lower ends t o the water space. For a boil- . t> l ':
(

er drum located in a fore-and-aft direction, the

thermostat is installed with its center line on the I
q :
ii
I,

I+
vertical center line of the drum. The thermostat
is set a t an elevation such that, for normal boiler .g
water level, the upper halves of the expansion
tubes are filled with steam and the lower halves f
with water.
The water level rises and falls correspondingly
in the expansion tubes as the level in the boiler ii ,
drum changes. The tubes contract or expand as p
the water level rises or falls, because of the '1!:i
changing average tube temperature. The reason i!

for the change in length is similar to that ex- !!

j/
plained above for the straight tube thermostat.
I
Levers A and B, shown in Fig 5-6, magnify the jj
motion of the two expansion tubes. Their mo- I

tions are added and further multiplied by lever i

C which actuates the feed water control valve. !I
I'
To illustrate, using Fig. 5-6, should the water ii',
, , .

level drop in the drum, the level in the expansion !I,

i?
tubes falls a corresponding amount. This in- ji
creases the average temperature of the expansion
tubes and tube expansion causes right-hand mo- il
.I_

tion of lever A and left-hand motion of lever B. I ;

The resultant of these motions is a clock15llse' or :1

downwards rotation of lever C. The feed water i!

control valve is arranged to open as C moves

1:
downward, thereby increasing feed water flow.
jj
When the ship rolls, the quantity of water in the j4
Ii
drum a t that instant does not change but the
!i
level in each leg of tlle thermostat changes, as /iii
shown ill Fig. 5-6. As the ship rolls t o the right, il
the water level in the left-hand expansion tube
drops, while the level in the right-hand tube 1;:/
I(
rises. This causes right-hand motion of levers L.I

A and B. Since both A and B move in the same I

direction, there is no resultant rotation of C; iI

thus, the control valve opening and feed water
flow are not affected by rolling of the ship. . iIi
1
Single element feed water regulators are in- !/
tended primarily for the purpose of keeping the
boilers supplied with water under battle condi- I

tions when manual feeding may become difficult

or inlpossible. BuShipJs Manual instructs all en-
gineering officers that single element feed water .. .
!I
regulators : I;
1
i
1. Shall be cut in immediately when "general
1:
Courtesy North~rriEqzriprnmt Cu. quarters,' is sounded' 1;
FIG. 5-6. Marine Rhomboid Thermo- 2. If the regulators are not employed con- . !,
:I

;:
Expansion Feed Water Regulator. stantly, they shall be operated in full control i'
 ACCESSORIES COXTROLLING FLOW 5-11

of the boilers for a reasonable period each day than previously. Similarly, the water level will
to insure that t,hey will be in operable condition momentarily fall when the firing rate is decreased
when cut in. and then rise rapidly unless the rate of feeding
3. Control elements shall be cut in a t all times is decreased.
and shall be blown down regularly in accordancc When feeding t,he boiler by hand, i t is difficult
with illstructions in manufacturer's instruction to maintain the apparent water level constant
books. under maneuvering- collditiolls and a considerable
amount of skill and attentior1 is recluired.Whcn
Single element feed watcr regulators may be
feeding by means of a single element aut,omatic
used a t other times but, shall not be relied upon
feed water regulator, swell, resulting from a n in-
entirely. The feed check valve remains the chief
crease I11 firing rate, is relayed t o the feed water
reliance in maintaining the proper wa,ter level
regulatol, which will react to "high water." This
on boilers not equipped with multiple element
reaction causes the regulator t o close, which is in
feed water regulators. Howevcr, nonuse of the
error, since the higher firing rate recluires more
singlc element feed water regulator will result in
water, not less. Shrink also causes the regulator
accumulations of scale in the feed water regu-
t,o react in the wrong direction. If steam denland
lating control valves preventing proper func-
changes are not too large and not too frequent,
tioning when required during "general quarters."
the regulator valve reacts correctly before thc
These regulators will not and should not be
expectcd t o hold the wat,er level exactly a t the level changes too much. If the rating changes are
rapid and large, the single elenlent feed water reg-
design water level as they depend upon a differ-
ulat,or lags behind and a lorn water casualty or
ence in level from the design level to operate the
control valve. Single element regulators tend t o high water casualty is likely. Because of this pos-
carry an increasingly l o ~ ~ r ewater
r level as the sibility, the Bureau of Ships il4anual requires
t h a t a qualified water tender be kept on watch a t
steaming rate is increased. Generally, this vari-
ation in water level is within acceptable limits. the feed checks a t all times while single element
These regulators will maintain the water level feed wat,er regulators are in operation in order t o
within reasonably close limits under steady take over the feeding of the boiler mailually
steaming and under all but severc malleuvering should the need occur.
~ondit~ioilsa t which times i t may be necessary t o
5-12. MULTI-ELEMENT REGULATORS.
resort t,o hand control.
The regulators previously described are single-
5-11. SWELL AND SHRINK. element regulators, i.e., they have only one con-
T o explain fully the water feeding of any trolling feature, the level of t h e water in the
boiler, the phenomella called "swell" and "shrink" steam drum. hfulti-element (two or three control-
must be considered. These terms refer to a ling features) feed water regulators provide water
change in the water level resulting from a change level control superior t,o t h a t possible with
in steaming rate without a change in thc weight manual operation of the feed check valves and
of water in .the boiler. Swell and shrink are re- the single element regulator.
sultants d the larger volume occupied by steam The three element regulators coiltrol mater
bubbles l)elow the water surface a t high evapora- level by combining the iliflueiiccs of steam flow,
tion rates as compared t o low evaporation rates feed water flow, and n~at~er level. Measurement
(Fig. 4 2 ) . When the load is increased suddenly, of steam flow gives an immediate and accurat,e
more steam bubbles are formed in the boiler il~dicationof change in boiler steam demand and
tubes The steam bubbles increase the total begins positioning the regulating valve in the
volume of steam and water mixture in the gen- direction desired regardless of t h e action of smell
erating tubes and displace some water from the and shrink. By measuring feed water flow, a
tubes forcing it into the 1)oiler drum and causing balance can be maintained between stea,m taken
a sudden rise in thc water level If the feed is de- out and water brought in. Any change in steam
creased when swell occurs, the level may fall Aow or feed water flomr upsets the balance and
dangerously low after the momentary rise, since the control system acts in thc direction required
steam is leaving the boiler a t a much faster rate to restore thc balance. The measurement of water
5-12 JfARIATE E N G I N E E R I N G

level resets the water level in the steam drum a t lation. the water level ca.nnot be maintained, or
the design point and corrects any deficiencies in continually fluctuates, the regulator shall be
the measurement of steam and feed water flow. s ~ t c h e dfrom automatic t o remote manual and
The two element feed water regulator func- operated manually from the control panel. If,
tions similarly to the three element regulator but the water level still cannot be maintained, the
does not utilize feed water flow measurement. feed check station shall be manned and the water
With this type of regulator, the water level level controlled by manual operation of the feed
measurement exerts a greater influence on the check valve.
oweration of the r e ~ u l a tui nvalve.
u
~
Most three element and many two element 6-13. ACCESSORIES MEASURING BOILER OPER-
feed water regulators are pneumatically con- ATING CONDITIONS.
trolled systems. I n such a system, as shown in To provide operating personnel with informa-
Fig. 5-7, three instruments, the steam flow in- tion required for intelligent boiler operation, ac-
dicator-transmitter, the feed water flow indi- cessories which measure boiler operating condi-
cator-transmitter, and the drum water level tions are a necessity. The following accessories
indicator-transmitter, measure their respective will be discussed with respect to their basic use
rates of flow and water level. Air pressures, called in anjr control system.
loading pressures, proportional to the measured 1. Pressure gages
rates of flow and water level, are transmitted t o 2. Water level gages
relay stations which balance and compare incom-
ing loading pressures and transmit corrected load-
ing pressures, through a control station, t o a
pneumatically operated feed water regulating
valve (Fig. 5-8). The operator also may control
the feed water regulating valve manually from a
remote station (feed water selector valve) by
controlling the air loading pressure transmitted
to the regulating valve.
The multi-element regulators have an emer-
gency device similar to a single element regulator
which, in event of failure of the control air sup-
ply, provides a secondarjr control of the boiler
water level until such time as a supply of control
air is restored. The concept of secondary control
is pursued by the Navy in all shipboard systems
to insure reliability of equipment in times of
emergency.
Bureau of Ships Jfa?aual instructs t h a t on boil-
ers equipped with multi-element feed water
regulators personnel shall use these regulators a t
all times. Prime reliance for control of \?later
level shall be placed in the automatic regulator
and not in manual operation of the feed check
valve. While the regulator is in service, a feed
check operator need not be stationed a t the feed
check valve. All boilers equipped with multi-
element feed water regulators have remote read-
ing water level indicators installed a t the lower
operating level in vie\?. of the man in charge of Courtesy J. J. H e m y Co, Ivc Nrir~ J ' o ~ f i
the steaming watch. If, while on automatic regu- FIG. 6-8. Feed Water Regulating Valve.
 ACCESSORIES CONTROLLIATG F L O W 5- 13

S T E A M FLOW F E E D W A T E R FLOW DRUM W A T E R L E V E L

TRANSMITTER TRANSMITTER INDICATOR-CONTROLLER

@ FEED WATER
SELECTOR

AIR +
TO T H E R M O - H Y D R A U L I C SUPPLY
GENERATOR MOUNTED
ON B O I L E R D R U M
d .

?+@ C A I R SUPPLY

DUAL CONTROL
F E E D WATER
d REGULATING VALVE
Bureau of Ships
FIG. 6-7. Control Diagram for Three-Element Feed Water Control.
 5-14 M A R I N E ENGINEERING

3. Thermometers
4. Temperature alarms
5. Steam flow indicators
6. Smoke indicators
7. Automatic controls
6-14. PRESSURE GAGES.
Pressure enters as a variable factor in a vast
number of physical phenomena, and there is
frequent need for its measurement over a very
wide range. For ordinary pressures, there are
two chief types of gage; viz., the liquid man-
ometer, of urhich the mercury barometer is a n
example, and the Bourdon type u~hichis widely
used because of its simplicity and rugged con-
struction. As shown in Fig. 5-9, the Bourdon
type gage collsists of a metal tube having a n oval
cross section, bent to form a n arc of a circle and
sealed a t one end. The other end is connected t,o
the region whose pressure is t o be measured. If FIG. 6-9. Pressure Gage.
that pressure is above atmospheric, t h e pressure
exerted on the tube tends t o change i t from an
oval t o a circular cross-section, accompanied by throttle, a n y variation in boiler drum pressure
an ullcurling action. The motion of the sealed end will change the ship's speed; hence, t h e burner-
is amplified by a lever and gear mechanism, so man tries t o hold the drum pressure constant by
t h a t the limited movement of the tip of t h e tube adjusting the oil pressure and the throttleman
may be converted into a full swing of the indicat- will meet ally change in main steam line pressure
ing needle. This type of gage is termed a second- by varying t h e throttle opening.
ary illstrument in that it must be calibrated by
comparison t o a primary gage, such a s a manom- 6-16. WATER GAGES.
eter which measures pressure directly b y the Water gages are installed in pairs on the steam
height of a liquid in a tube. drums of naval boilers t o indicate the height of
When properly calibrated and installed, pres- water in the drum. Fig. 5-10 shows the con-
sure gages provide operating personnel with struction of a steel water gage, consisting of the
useful information, provided t h a t they under- frame and front and back covers. Thick glass
stand what is being measured. For example, if strips, ground true t o flat, parallel faces, are
oil flow in the fuel oil manifold leading t o the held between the frame and the front and back
burners is sufficient t o carry the load under which covers, as shorn11 in the cross-sectional view. T h e
the boiler is operating, the operator knours t h a t , glass strips are backed by sheets of mica, which
with the same physical apparatus, he can dupli- serve as a gasket to prevent etching of the glass
,_-- cate that oil flow a t any time by carrying the in operation and prevent shattering of the glass in
same oil pressure. A change in manifold pressure case of breakage. Usually, a light is placed be-
will cause a change in the oil flow rate. I n like hind this type of mater gage to facilitate observa-
manner, when the feed check man adjusts the tion of the water level. TTarious types of glasses
check valve for proper feeding of the boiler under are used, some of which have corrugatioils on the
certain 1oa.d conditions, he knows t h a t if the feed outer side. These are known as "refles" glasses,
water pressure should drop, the boiler will not re- because they refract the light in such a way t h a t
ceive the amount of water necessary and a casu- the part covered by mrat,er, ~vithinthe colunln,
altmywill occur if the situation is allowed to con- appears darker than the rest of the glass.
tinue. Similarly, the throttleman and the burner The handles of the top and bottom cut-out
man kilom that for a given opening of the turbine valves consist of short levers connected by
 A CCESSORIES CONTROLLIATG FLOW
FIG. 6-10. Water Gage Column.
chains. The threads on the valve stein are quad-
ruple threaded and have a steep pitch so that
less than a half turn gives the valve full travel.
The ends of the levers are connected by chains.
Also connected to the ends of the bottom lever is
a long loop of chain mrhich reaches to the lower
floor plates of the fireroom. I n case the gage
glass should break or leak, personnel on the
lower grating can close both the top and bottom
gage cut-out valves in one operation.
The steel water columil has a check valve in
the bottom connection. The check consists of a
,
hall which rests on a holder just above the bottom
valve stem. With the pressure on each side of the
ball in equilibrium, the ball rests in the holder.
I n case of gage glass breakage, the sudden rush
of water through the bottom coilnection forces
the ball up onto its spherical seat, preventing the
flow of hot water through the break. There is no
provision for preventiilg the escape of steam
through the top coilnection because, if the glass
breaks, the relatively small volume of escaping
steam creates little hazard t o personnel or dam-
5-15
REGULATOR
CONN.
Bureau of N a n d Personnel
age t o material. Further, the chain operated cut
out valves can be closed immediately from the
lower level without danger from falling hot water.
Water gages are located so that the middle of
the glass is a t the normal water level of the
boiler. If either the top or bottom connection of
a water gage is closed or partially obstructed by
scale or other solid matter entering from the
boiler, a false indication of the water level results.
Gage glasses, therefore, must be "blo\?-n down"
before the boiler is connected to the steam line
a t the end of each watch and at frequent intervals
thereafter whenever there is any questioil as to
the correct water level in the steam drum.
Blowing of gage glasses is acuoiuplished by first
disconnecting the chains between the top and
bottom valve handles, then closing the top shut-
off valve and opening the drain valve at the
bottom of the gage glass assembly. This permits
water t o flow through the bottom connection to
the drain, clearing it of ~bst~ructions. The top
shut-off valve then is slightly opened and the
bottom shut-off is closed. This permits steam t o
5-16 M A R I N E ENGINEERING

flow through the top connection, clearing it of
obstructions, thence through the glass to the
drain. The drain valve is then closed and the
bottom shut-off valve opened fully. After blow-
ing, care must be taken t o see t h a t both valves
are opened wide, the chains between the t o p and
bot,tom valve handles are replaced and t h a t the
water level indicated is accurate. If the return
of the mater level in the glass after blo~vingis
a t all sluggish, the cause should be determined
and correct,ed a t once.
Two direct reading water level gage glasses
are installed on each boiler t o insure correct
knowledge of the true water level in case one
gage fails or sho~vsa false water level. Older con-
structioil mounted one 10" gage and one 18"
gage, the latter consistiilg of two standard 10"
gage glasses overlapped so t h a t the distance
from the bottom of the lower glass t o the top of
the upper glass is 18". More recent design re-
quires t h a t two 18" gage glasses be installed on
each steam drum.
I11 some cases, one of the two 18" gage glasses
is a Bi-Color gage (Fig. 5-11). The Bi-Color gage
is of similar construction to t h a t previously
described with exception of the method of illumi-
nation l o facilitate observation of the water
level. Illumiiiatioii of the Bi-Color gage is based
upoil the optical principle t h a t refraction of a
light ray differs as it passes obliquely through
different media (steam and wat,er in this case).
Parallel strips of red and green glass are placed
between the illuminator lamps and the strip lens
adjacent t o the gage. The windows of the gage
are set a t angles with each other to utilize the
difference in light refraction between water and
steam. Beams of red and green light, projected
through the entire length of the strip lens, strike
the faces of the gage windours a t different angles,
each color beam being refracted as indicated in
Fig. 5-11 shown when the gage is filled with
steam. When steam fills the space between the
gage windows, the green light beam is bent out
of t,he field of vision, and the red light beam is
bent into the field of vision. Conversely, when
water fills t h e space between the gage a~indows,
the red light is bent out of and the green light is
bent into the field of vision. At intermediat,e
conditions, the water level is indicated by the
bouildary line between the two colors.
Recent boiler designs equipped with multi-
element feed water regulators also include a
remote reading water level indicator. This instru-
ment indicates the water level in the boiler drum
a t a convenient location, a s on a n instrument
panel. When installed on naval boilers, remote

WINDOWS

I\ / / G R E E N GLASS S T R I P
S T R I P LENS

' R E D GLASS S T R I P

STEAM IN GAGE
Couvtesy I . I . Ilenvy Co., Ilir., Nrzo I'ovk
FIG. 5-11. Bi-Color Water Gage.
 ACCESSORIES CONTROT,LTNG FLOW
reading water level indicators a.re also equipped
with visual alarms and u~it11provisio~lfor audio
alarms for high and low water.
R.emot,e reading water level indicators are
usually of the manometer type actuated by the
differential pressure head existing between a
fixed water column and a variable water columil
dependent upoil nTater level in the steam drum.
naval boiler spccificatioils require that, remote
water level indicators be independent of external
sources of energy so that they may be safely used
in lieu of tlie water gage glasses.
One type of remote water level device has a
dial and pointer indicator showing steam drum
water level and three colored warning lights
(white, red and blue) mounted adjacent t o the
indicator. The white light remains lighted a t all
times as a signal of "Power On," and goes out if
there is a power failure or if the indicator bulb
burns out. The red light is an indication of
critically high drum water level, arid t h e blue
light is ail indication of critically low drum water
level.
6-16. THERMOMETERS.
Temperature control is.one of the crit,eria most
important in determining plant efficiency. Ther-
mometers which measure the te~nperatures of
water, steam, air, and oil keep the operator in-
formed as to the efficiency with which the plant
is operating.
Many of these thermometers are similar in
principle t o the ordiilarg household liquid column
thermometer but vary in regard t o rigidity of
construction and type of inaterial used. Use of
uilprotccted glass thermometers is restricted
to laboratory or field research applications.
Thcrmorneters measuring high temperatures
must be made of material which can ~vithstand
such temperatures. Many thermometers are
installed in locations where t,he bulb is subjected
t o high velocities of flow and where personnel
might strike the thermometer while working
~ ~ i t lother
i equipment. Mercury filled glass
thermometers are protected by a metal casing
and the bulb is inserted in a thermometer well
fitted into the pipe or unit where the temperature
is being measured. However, where quick re-
sponse is required, such as a t the superheater
out,let, quick-readii~g bare-bulb thermon~eters
are used without thermometer wells.
At times, the temperature measurement point
is a t an iilcoilvenient or rern0t.e location. I11 such
cases, a distant reading thermometer is used, in
which the nlercurjr is led through a length of cap-
illary tubing t o a distant reading thermometer.
Some distant reading thermometers have a dial
and are similar in construction t o a pressure gage.
T h e latter type of thermometer f r e q ~ e n t ~isl yused
t o measure the steam temperature a t the super-
heater outlet for superheat control and the oil
temperature for control of fuel oil heaters.
6-17. HIGH TEMPERATURE ALARMS.
A high temperature alarni is i~lst~alled t o warn
when the stlearn temperature a t the superheater
outlet exceeds a predetermined safe limit. I t
esseiltially is a distant reading thermometcr in-
stalled a t the superheater outlet. As the mercury
expands with increase in temperature, it actuates
a n electric switch which is adjusted t o malie con-
tact whenever t h e temperat,lire exceeds a fixed
limit. T h e electric circuit which is controlled by
the switch call be utilized to sound a n alarm, such
as a klaxon, and light a red danger light. I11 some
installations, a solenoid-operated, quick-closing
valve is energized by the circuit, causing the fuel
oil to be shut off instantly from all or nearly all
the superheater burners.
=-I8- STEAM INDrC*TORS-
I11 double furnace, single uptake, coiltrolled
superheat boilers, to avoid damage t o the super-
heater tubes through overheating, a certain mini-
mum flow of steam must be established before
the superheater furnace may be lit off. The tem-
perature of the steam a t the superheater outlet
docs not necessarily indicate the conditions exist-
ing within the superheater especially ~ v h e nthe
steam flow is reduced or stopped entirely. There-
fore, in order t o enable the operators t o deter-
mine when this minimum steam flow has been
established, this type boiler is equipped with
steam flow indicators.
The steam flow indicator, illustrated in Fig.
5-12, measures the steam flow through t'he super-
heater b y measuring the steam pressure drop be-
tween superheater inlet and outlet. The pressure
drop across the superheater is indica'ted 011 a
transparent scale graduated in inches of water.
Rehind the transparent scale, a movable red and
green st,rip is located so that the division line
 5-18 M A R I N E ENGINEERING

PdRTS LIST
I. Lamp 1 B u l l r r r l m ~ 6 Corcrrlxnm
L UpUbooslw 4 \ Ilunll... I.Lnt nu,
L Ad>u.Ublruntm

FIG. 6-13(a). Details of Lamp and Reflector Units.

presence of smoke in the uptakes indicates in-

complete combustion, dirty burners, or ot,her
abnormal collditioils in the funlace. The most
common type of smoke indicator is illustrated in
Fig. 5-13(a) and (b). This indicator consists of a
lamp, installed in a cylindrical casing fitted over
a hole in the rear of the uptake, with a lens in
front of the lamp. A second casing fits over a hole
in t h e front of the uptake, exactly opposite t h e
lamp unit. The second casing coiltains a mirror,
which reflects the light beam from the lamp
downward through a vertical tube, a t t h e bottom
of which a second mirror is positioned t o reflect
the beam horizontally through an eyepiece. By

B ~ L Fof~.S/I<~.<
~ I
FIG. 6-12. S t e a m Flow Indicator.

between the upper green and t h e lower red por-

tion is a t the pressure drop graduation which
represeilts the specified minimum steam flow re-
quired t o safely light off the superheater fur-
nace. Thus, the operator should not light off t h e
superheater furnace until the indicator is in the
green area.
6-19. S M O K E INDICATORS.
Smoke indicators, commonly called smoke
periscopes, are fitted on all modern naval boilers.
This device permits observation of the com-
bustion gases as they pass through the uptakes
in order t o determine whether or not complete
combustion is taking place in the furnace. The FIG. 6-13(b). Periscope Smoke Indicator Installation. ti
 ACCESSORIES CONTROLLING FLOTV 5-19

looking int,o the eyepiece, operating persoi~nel

call see any smoke preseiit as it passes in front,
of the lamp, and, from the amount and density
of the smoke, determine whether or not furnace
coilditiolls are normal. Each naval boiler has two
or more smoke indicators to determine collditiolls
in different areas of the gas pa,th.
Recent boiler accessory developmellts have
brought forth an automatic smoke density indi-
cator suitable for naval use. This instrument is
designed for use on boilers with remote automatic
coiltrols in order t o furnish informat,ion about,
the conditio~lof the stack gases a t the remote
control st,at,ion. The automatic smoke indicator
operates with a photo-electric cell which responds
mrhen the density of tlhe smoke present between
the light source and the photo-electric cathode
receiver becomes a certain density.
6-20. AUTOMATIC CONTROLS.
Automatic colltrols for steam generating units
are operat'ional accessories which enable person-
1x1 t,o operate boiler units over long periods a t
high efficiencies, regardless of variations in load Courtesy The Babcock 6. W i l c o x Co., and Bailry Mcter Co.
and ot,her operating factors. FIG. 6-14. Automatic Recorder.
The Navy has employed autlomatic controls to
some degree for many years. Feed water regula-
tors have been conlmon since the first years of 4. Better regulation of steam pressure.
World War 11. The increased pressures and t,em 5. Less likelihood of overheating superheater
peratures, higher combustion rat,es, smaller size, tubes and producing excessive superheated
and lighter coilstructio~lof modern boiler units steam temperatures bccause of too high ex-
cause load changes and casualties t o be reflected cess air.
in boiler operat,ing characteristics with utmost
Operationally, automatic co~ltrolsserve three
rapidity. I n many i~~st,ances, i t is extremely dif-
principal purposes :
ficult for the operator t o mailually co~ltrolboilers
of recent design. Even with manual control possi- 1. T o regulate steam pressure and tempera-
ble, such control would not be sufficiently re- ture.
sponsive t o boiler needs and efficiency losses 2. T o control smoke by regulating oil-air
mould result).-41~0,the single furnace boilers now ratios.
employed lend themselves more readily to such 3. T o maintain wat,er level.
regulatioil than do the douhle furnace, superheat The automatic feed water regulators which
control units. H e i ~ c ethe present t'rend in boiler have already becn discussed are considered part
operation is t,omrard automatic controls. of a st,eam ge11erat)ing automatic control system.
The use of automatic cont,rols offers five dis- The combustion controls to regulate steam pres-
tinct advantages a s compared with manual con- sure and temperature and to control fuel-air
trol: ratios will be discussed in Chapter VI along with
1. Ability t o colltiilue steaming the boiler manual combustion control.
when the fireroom becomes untenable. Several types of flow ~ n e l e r sare used t o meas-
2. A decreased numher of operating personnel. ure fluid flow on the basis of volume or weight
3. More efficient operation of the boiler during per unit of time to provide illformatio~lfor use
all conditions of operations. in automatic boiler controls. Flow meters measure
the pressure drop across calibrated orifices and
flow nozzles in a pipe line. They normally are
employed in automatic control sj~stemsand in
systems where automatic recorders for pressures,
temperatures, arid fluid flow rates are illstalled
(Fig. 5-14). Such iilstrumcilts give the operator
iilsta~ltaileous readings of all illformation re-
quired for a thorough ullderstaildiilg of boiler
operating conditions. These instruments are
mounted on control panels or coilsoles located a t
the main coiltrol station for the particular
machinery space \vhich t h e boiler units service.
Also a t this station are the throttle coiltrols
and coiltrol instrumellts for operating the maill
engines. Thus, close liaison between maill engines
and the boiler unit is possible.
I-Io~vever,wit11 automat,ic coiltrol devices, i t
is highly desirable, if not imperative, t h a t all
watchstanders know a t least the rudiments of
what takes place in boilers and where the major
automatic coiltrol overides are and how t o use
them. For example, the operator must k n o ~ vt h a t
the water level will vary on a large steaming rate
change atld t h a t by observiilg the iildicators on
the feed control panel, he can tell ~vliethertlhe
device is respondiilg correctly. I11 this way he
need not wait for the low or high water level
alarm signal t o ring. If the indicator does not
respoild correctly for the steam rate change, he
I
may introduce a bias upon the coritrol system a t
i
the remote control station and prevent the ab-
iiormal ~ v a t e rcondition.
i