2.
TYPES OF BOILERS
2.01 CLASSIFICATION
The two most general classifications of heating boilers
pertain to the method of manufacture, i.e., by casting
or fabrication. Those which are cast usually use iron,
bronze, or brass in their construction. Those which are
fabricated use steel, copper, or brass, with steel being
the most common material used.
2.02 STEEL BOILERS
Steel boilers can be generally divided into two types,
firetube and watertube. In firetube boilers, the gases
of combustion pass through the tubes and the water
circulates around them. In watertube boilers, the water
passes through the tube and the combustion gases pass
around them.
A. Firetube Boilers
(1) Horizontal Return Tube (HRT). Figure 2.02A-
1 shows a brick-set boiler of this type. The furnace
may also be constructed of steel.
(2) Scotch Type Boilers. The scotch boilers used
in modern heating systems are similar to those originally
designed for shipboard installation and are sometimes
called scotch marine boilers. The furnace is a cylinder
completely surrounded by water. See Fig. 2.02A-2.
Most scotch boilers are of the dry-back or partial
wet-back design and are arranged for multiple gas
passes. See Fig. 2.02A-2.
(3) Firebox Boilers. Firebox boilers have the fire-
box integral with the boiler, such as the oil field or
locomotive type, and may be single or multiple pass.
The furnace of this type boiler is usually enclosed in
water-cooled upper sheet, called a crown sheet. Various
tube and shell configurations, characterizing different
manufacturers’ designs, complete the boilers. See Figs.
2.02A-3, 2.02A-4, and 2.02A-5.
(4) Vertical Firetube Boilers. In vertical firetube
boilers, the products of combustion pass up through
the tubes which are surrounded by water. See Fig.
2.02A-6.
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B. Watertube Boilers. Watertube boilers are made
in a variety of configurations with respect to tube and
drum arrangement.
2.03 CAST IRON BOILERS
Cast iron boilers are made in three general types:
horizontal sectional, vertical sectional, and one-piece.
Most of the sectional boilers are assembled with
push nipples or grommet type seals, but some are
assembled with external headers and screwed nipples.
NOTE: Manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed when
adjusting nipples or tie rods. Excess tension on tie rods may be
detrimental to the boiler.
A. Horizontal Sectional Cast Iron Boilers. Hori-
zontal sectional cast iron boilers are made up of sections
stacked one above the other, like pancakes, and assem-
bled with push nipples. See Fig. 2.03A.
B. Vertical Sectional Cast Iron Boilers. Vertical
sectional cast iron boilers are made up with sections
standing vertically like slices in a loaf of bread. See
Fig. 2.03B.
C. One-Piece Cast Iron Boilers. One-piece cast
iron boilers are those in which the pressure vessel is
made as a single casting.
2.04 MODULAR BOILERS
Modular boilers utilize a grouping of small boilers
to act as a larger boiler with modulated input. The
small boilers are called modules and are manifolded
together at the job-site. Cast iron modules and fabricated
modules are commonly used.
2.05 VACUUM BOILERS
Vacuum boilers are factory sealed steam boilers that
are operated below atmospheric pressure.
Fig. 2.02A-1 1998 SECTION VI Fig. 2.02A-2

FIG. 2.02A-1 HORIZONTAL RETURN TUBE, BRICK-SET

FIG. 2.02A-2 GAS FLOW PATTERNS OF SCOTCH-TYPE BOILERS

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Fig. 2.02A-3 2. TYPES OF BOILERS Fig. 2.02A-4

FIG. 2.02A-3 TYPE C FIREBOX BOILER

FIG. 2.02A-4 THREE-PASS FIREBOX BOILER

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Fig. 2.02A-5 1998 SECTION VI Fig. 2.02A-6

FIG. 2.02A-5 LOCOMOTIVE FIREBOX BOILER

FIG. 2.02A-6 VERTICAL FIRETUBE BOILER

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Fig. 2.03A 2. TYPES OF BOILERS Fig. 2.03B

FIG. 2.03A HORIZONTAL

SECTIONAL CAST IRON BOILER

FIG. 2.03B VERTICAL

SECTIONAL CAST IRON BOILER

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