Case of the lowered steam pressure

The hospital was looking for ways to reduce their utility costs. The maintenance director, Don, asked if there was anything we could suggest with the boilers. The hospital had two old 150Hp high pressure fire tube steam boilers. I suggested a new burner or boilers and his budget for capitol improvements was slashed. We then suggested installing new pressure controls to lower the steam pressure during the non peak hours and he agreed to give it a try. After a month of operating the boiler at a lower pressure, he noticed a spike in carryover with an additional jump in water treatment chemical usage. Was it because of the new lower steam pressure?

[@lnk4328]

Do you think that maybe due to the boiler's inadequate or failed steam dry pan or possibly the boiler is overfired, (or both) the carryover is occurring during the high fire transition from 50# back to 100#? I would assume during normal 100# operation, the boiler rarely stays in high fire for long.

[@boilerroomdetective]

I wonder if the the steam takeoff from the boiler was designed for 100 psi and when we lowered the pressure, it increased the velocity and carryover. I sold a few hP steam boilers and the factory always wanted to know what the steam pressure they were operating hit. It changed the pipe size on the steam outlet. Thanks

[@BigMouth380cal]

Two points I would like to make. One, it is too rare when an Engineer/Troubleshooter can see the error of his ways and accept his idea wasn't "perfect". And Two, sometimes the bean counters ask for the impossible. As in, I need it to do this and this and this, but I don't want to pay for it. Make a miracle for me. Well, they can't have it both ways,,,, maybe they should slash their expense account instead.

[@boilerroomdetective]

Yes sir I was trying to help them to cut costs with limited funds I learned a lesson Thanks for the feedback

[@Mike-rm7vf]

Isn’t that a firebox boiler?

[@boilerroomdetective]

yes sir