Steel Firetube Boiler Observations

Dave in QCA

I am in the process of taking proposals for a boiler replacement.  I am considering a WM-580 wet base power burner model.  One of the contractors that I contacted works primarily in the steel fire-tube boiler repair business.  He is strongly suggesting that I select a steel boiler instead of a cast iron sectional boiler.  I have a lot of experience in operation and maintenance of scotch marine boilers running at high pressure, but no experience with them set up for very low pressure vapor systems.



The purpose of this post is to get feedback from any of the pros and/or homeowners that might have experience with such boilers.  Your comments and experience would be of great value.  Also, I don't think this is a subject that has come up much on this forum.

Thanks,

TomM

are there any?

I don't know of any gas steamers that are steel.  New York boiler has oil fired models; that's all ive ever seen. 

carry on though with the steel vs cast iron discussion.

Dave in QCA

Burnham 4F

Burnahm makes a large line of steel boilers.  Various large scotch marine types.  I understand that purchased Kewanee Boiler mainly for the patent rights, etc.  A small model that Burnham offers is the 4F series.   Here is a brochure,   http://www.burnhamcommercial.com/resources/product-information/series-4f/brochure.pdf  



Of course, they are all power burner models and as such can fire either oil or gas.

The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro)

One you may want to look at.....

Rayes boilers out of Skokie, IL.   It's a "slap yourself in the head" why didn't anyone think of that before design.

nicholas bonham-carter

Rayes boilers

These boilers look interesting (except for the bilious green color!). They appear to have a very high waterline which could be a problem in some locations, due to a reduced "a"dimension.

Reading the testimonials seems to reveal a high degree of customer satisfaction. I wonder how well they can do running at ounces of pressure, as i thought most fire tube boilers are used in high pressure applications where the heat transfer between the firetube and the steam is assisted by the pressure. Maybe the firetubes are all under the waterline.

In the case of the midco burner, does it really have enough "fire" for a firetube design?--NBC

Dave in QCA

Studying for over an hour..... Nice!

This boiler is certainly very interesting.  Energy Star too!  I don't think you can get that without proving the efficiency.  Uses the Midco burners too!   However, I cannot find the Normal Water Line anywhere in the dimensions.  I am guessing that if the total ht is 67, it's going to be around 55"  I'll have to contact them.



To nbc, thanks for your thoughts on this.  But, all tubes in a fire tube boiler are always below the water line, so it would be the same in this one too.  This one is pretty cool because of putting the furnace pass at the top where the hottest water is and the 2nd and 3rd passes down low.  Steel boilers are often used in high pressure applications because the construction can be designed and certified as a pressure vessel.  Not sure if cast iron boilers are rated for more the 15 psi steam.  Perhaps, probably all depends on the design.  However, pressure does not affect heat transfer.  Regardless of the pressure, the water is in contact with the heating transfer surface.  This is not the case with cast iron boilers with the exception of the Burnham Mega Steam.  Cast iron boilers had a portion of the heating surface above the water line and this is usually where problems occur.

BUYER

bought 2 rayes boilers

hey guys ive been searching to replacing my boilers and i went with there boiler the rayes boiler. in the past 2 years i purchased 2 of there boilers.  what i know from them is that their boilers are 85% efficiency so that's why its GREEN. i purchased from them a 40hp boiler and 60hp boiler on my 40hp boiler they installed a becket burner and the 60hp they put power flame those are the only two burners they recommended to put on their boilers. the boilers have were paid off in one heating season because of my gas bill saving which saved half the coast from my previous year. Another great thing about purchasing there boiler is the rebate from peoples gas. I was very cautions purchasing the Rayes boiler but when they took me to a plant lifeway foods in morton grove  which they have 6 rayes boilers installed in the facility that makes their yogurt  milk products. When i was there i saw that  replacement  the old ajax boilers with new rayes boilers running about total 8millino btus that they cut from ajax 18million btu. once i saw that with my own eyes i had full faith in rayes boiler company installing their boilers in my buildings. 

vaporvac

Residential Use?

Can these boilers be used with gas in a larger residential setting?  Are they what's considered a three-pass boiler? I'm just wondering why residential boilers are generally CI instead of steel.

BUYER

bought 2 rayes boilers

the boilers are not for residential