The main difference between a fire tube and a water tube boiler is in a water tube boiler, the water flows through the tubes, and the heat source surrounds them, while in a fire tube boiler, the heat source is in the centre, and water flows around the tube. At the same time, both have advantages or drawbacks at efficiency-specific points. Water tubes are far more efficient than fire tube boilers. Let's get into the difference between a fire tube and a water tube boiler and the pros and cons of each.
Fire tube boiler vs Water tube boiler
- The heating element produces hot water through a more indirect mechanism in a fire tube boiler. The heating element acts directly on tubes filled with water, which run through the furnace casing, to produce the needed steam or super-hot water in a water tube boiler.
- Fire tube boilers are best suited for single-building applications, whereas water tube boilers are best suited for industrial process applications.
- Fire tube boilers are less expensive than water tube boilers.
- Fire tube boilers are easier to clean and repair than water tube boilers because maintenance can be performed outside the unit rather than inside.
- Water tube boilers can have a higher capacity and can handle pressure up to 5000 psig and very high temperatures. The fire tube boilers have a smaller capacity and can not handle high pressures over 250 psig.
A key difference between fire tube and water tube boiler
- Fire tube boiler construction is compact as compared with water tube boiler.
- The water tube boiler has higher temperature output than the fire tube boiler.
- Fire tube boilers are more efficient and have straight tube designs than water tube boilers.
- Water tube boiler has fast heat recovery than fire tube boiler.
- Water tube boilers have precise load fluctuation handling and fire tube boiler has good load surge handling.
- Fire tube boiler is simple to the operation than water tube boiler.
- The water tube boiler has better turn down than the fire tube boiler.