Fire Tube vs. Wet Base boilers?

Keith C

Hi everyone I have a quick question for you. We were approached about doing some work in an 18 unit building. The owners want to update the steam boilers. It's a low pressure system, operates below 6 PSI constantly and can probably be lower. The owner expressed interest in installing a fire tube type boiler, which we've never done before. I've done a lot of repair work on Power Flame burners that were mounted on FTubes before, but no one's ever given me satisfactory answer as to what the real differences are between fire tubes and wet base boilers. I can think of a couple off the top of my head:

Fire tubes are usually 3 or 4 pass on the flue route, where most (but not all) wet bases are single

Steel fire tube boilers can handle thermal shock better than cast iron boilers

Other than that, I'm not clear on the differences. What's your opinion? It can't only be BTU capacity, seeing as the WM 88 goes up to 130 boiler horsepower.

As always I appreciate your response. See ya,

Keith

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Tom Hopkins

I guess the real quesiton you are asking is what is the difference between cast iron and steel. Well, steel is much more efficient than cast iron and yes, much more expensive. this is VERY important-Steel boilers need water treatment!!! if you have an owner that doesnt want to spend the 3-4 hundred dollars a year on treatment, forget about steel. another great thing about a steel boiler is the efficiency. it is so much thinner than a cast iron at the pass (flue route). with proper water treatment, it will easily outlast any cast iron boiler.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Cast Iron is job assembled. Steel is factory assembled. (for the most part)Can you get a steel package boiler in the building?? I would be tempted to go steel if the water treatment issues are addressed. Steel probably has better efficiency but requires more maintenance.

Ed

Al Corelli_2

Steel

Steel Boilers can be built onsite.

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[Deleted User]

A 3 pass steel

scotch marine boiler, from an efficiency standpoint, is the way to go. You can have one erected on site. www.EASCO.COM.