531-Series: Boilers & Combustion Courses
531-01 Combustion Theory
Learn to explain the different types of fossil fuels commonly used in an industrial setting, and explain some characteristics of the fuels. You will be able to describe the elements and conditions that must be present in order for the combustion of fuel to take place.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Origin of fossil fuels and their basic chemical composition
- Chemical reaction that takes place during combustion to release the stored energy in the fuel
- Relationship between each of the elements found in the combustion triangle
- Terms as they pertain to combustion:
- Chemical energy
- Hydrocarbon
- The 3 T’s of combustion
- Difference between viscosity, flash point, fire point, and pour point
- Three types of combustion
531-02 Basic Boiler Design
Learn to explain why different types of boilers are used in for different processes. Understand the basic components that make up a fire tube and water tube boiler and explain the circulation paths through each type of boiler.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Terms as they pertain to steam boilers:
- Heating surface
- Low pressure boilers
- High pressure boilers
- Difference between package boilers and field erected boilers
- Differences between fire tube boilers and water tube boilers and the applications in which they are used
- Basic steam and feedwater flow paths through a horizontal return tubular boiler
- Basic components that make up a typical water tube boiler
- Advantages and disadvantages of fire tube boilers and water tube boilers
531-03 Boiler Valves and Steam Fittings
Learn to identify the different types of valves, gauges, and steam traps used in the operation of a steam boiler. Also, understand how these steam fittings are used to safely operate a steam boiler.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Types of valves and describe the common uses of each type of valve in conjunction with steam boiler operation
- Purpose and basic design of a water column
- Types of gauge glasses used in boiler operation
- Basic design and operation of a bourdon tube pressure gauge
- Difference between a safety valve and a relief valve and discuss how they are used in steam boiler operation
- Purpose of steam traps in conjunction to steam boiler operation and identify the three basic categories of steam traps
- Purpose of a feedwater regulator and explain how it is used in steam boiler operation
531-04 Boiler Fuel and Air Systems
Learn to identify the basic equipment found in high pressure gas systems and fuel oil systems and describe the design and operation of fuel oil burners. Understand boiler draft and identify the equipment used to control draft in a boiler.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Location of the furnace within the boiler and describe how fuel and air flow affect the firing rate of the boiler
- Basic equipment found in high pressure gas burner systems and explain the operation of each type of system
- Basic components found in a typical fuel oil system
- Types of atomizing fuel oil burners and explain the operation of each type
- Define the following terms:
- Draft
- Forced Draft
- Induced Draft
- Balanced Draft
- Difference between primary air and secondary air and the role of each during boiler operation
531-05 Boiler Water and Steam Cycle
Learn to explain the basic components that make up a condensate and feedwater system and describe the flow path through those systems. Also, understand the difference between saturated steam and superheated steam and identify the factors that affect the quality of steam.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Concept of heat transfer.
- Define the following terms:
- Radiation
- Conduction
- Convection
- Difference between open feedwater and closed feedwater heaters and identify where each type of heater would be found in the condensate/ feedwater system
- Basic components found in a condensate system and the flow path through the system
- Basic components found in a feedwater system and the flow path through the system
- Quality of Steam
- Difference between saturated steam and superheated steam
531-06 Boiler Heat Recovery Systems
Learn the equipment used to recover waste heat in a boiler. Understand the basic design and operation of a superheater, economizer, and air preheater.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Types of heat recovery equipment
- Purpose of a convection superheater and identify its location in the boiler
- Purpose of a radiant superheater and identify its location in the boiler
- Purpose of an economizer and the location of the economizer in the boiler
- Difference between a counter-flow economizer and parallel flow economizer
- Purpose of an air preheater and describe the difference between tubular and regenerative air heaters
531-07 Boiler Environmental Controls
Learn to identify the primary pollutants emitted from fossil fired boilers. Also, understand the basic design and operation of baghouses, electrostatic precipitators, and scrubbers.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Harmful pollutants found in flue gas
- Difference between bottom ash and fly ash
- Basic equipment and process used to remove bottom ash from a boiler
- Basic equipment and process used to remove fly ash from a boiler
- Purpose of a baghouse and describe its basic operation
- Purpose of an electrostatic precipitator and describe its basic operation
531-08 Boiler Operator Roles and Responsibilities
Learn to explain the work environment a boiler operator is subject to and describe the primary responsibilities of a boiler operator. Understand the basic rounds and routines an operator completes during a shift.
Upon completion of the course, you will be able to identify, understand, and discuss the following:
- Shift work
- General work environment boiler operators tend to work in
- Basic rounds and routines that boiler operators make during a typical shift
- Basic procedure to start up a boiler
- Basic procedure to shut down a boiler
