Boiler Control System UAE - Safety & Risks

What is a Boiler Control System on Ships?

The Boiler Control System is intended for use in the marine sector to automate burners and combustion systems on any type of ship.

On engine ships, firetube boilers are used as auxiliary boilers to deliver lesser amounts of low-pressure steam. The use of small-diameter tubes and a compact steam drum in the design of water tube boilers allow for the generation or production of steam at high temperatures and pressures.

Risks Related to Boiler Control System

The engine room of a ship is a complicated set of machinery and systems that is utilised to perform numerous tasks on board. The marine boiler is one such crucial piece of equipment that has been helping ships since the beginning of shipping.

Initially, marine boilers were mostly used to operate a ship's propulsion system, which ran on steam (steam engine). The steam created by the boiler is now used in a wide range of engine room systems, including the heating of fuel for the main engine. Given the importance of marine boilers and the risks associated with their operation aboard ships, the industry has been working to improve boiler safety on board. Some even call it one of the ship's deadliest machinery systems.

Most common risks associated with the marine boiler

• Boiler Explosion: Many previous cases of boiler explosions have demonstrated how dangerous a marine boiler can be if not properly maintained. Low water level, quick chemical reaction burning hot carbon monoxide, overheating, jammed safety valve, lack of experience or skill, unregulated steam pressure, and misuse of fuel systems have all been known to cause boiler explosions.

• Hot Surface: As pipes transport steam to various sections of the ship, the boiler and its related pipes, valves, and auxiliaries have an extremely hot surface. A severe burn will result from direct skin contact with any of the exposed surfaces.

• Mechanical Damage: It's the most common problem that arises with a boiler. For the marine vessels for which we were able to acquire internal ship records, there were 272 cases of mechanical breakdown in the last ten years. This can be in the form of steam leakages,  valve not operating or leaking, tube damage, poor fuel atomization, insufficient heat, broken thermocouple, thermostat issues, etc.

• Boiler Fire/ Meltdown: Anything that is heated and includes the burning of fuel is vulnerable to catching fire. It has the potential to destroy all tubes, increasing the likelihood of a meltdown and eventual explosion. If the water level is already below a predetermined minimum, the chances of melting grow dramatically.

• Scalding: As they transport steam to various sections of the ship, the boiler and its related pipes, valves, and auxiliaries have an extremely hot surface. A severe burn will result from direct skin contact with any of the exposed surfaces.

• Carbon Monoxide Toxicity: If the fuel does not burn with plenty of oxygen, carbon monoxide is created. It can cause breathlessness, nausea, headaches, loss of consciousness, and even death if not treated. Furthermore, unburned fuel can often explode when exposed to a high temperature and adequate oxygen. This is why purging the system before restarting the boiler furnace is standard practice.

• Other Risks: Other risks linked with operating naval boilers include high-pressure parts, handling hazardous chemicals, moving machinery, and so on.

To maintain the safety of a marine boiler, the operator and engine room technicians should have the philosophy that "prevention is better than recovery." And choose the best marine automation service provider for the best services and your search brings you to Linkmarine. We complete the missing link in ship automation services. 

Get in touch with Linkmarine for the best services of boiler control system UAE.