How Do Package Boilers Work?

Package boilers include a wide range of boiler types, each of which works a little differently. The various types include:

• Package steam boilers: Steam boilers are fueled by oil, propane, gas, natural gas, steam or electricity. These can be fire-tube boilers or water-tube boilers and use a combination of fuel sources. In fire-tube boilers, a pipe filled with heated gas is surrounded by water. In a water-tube boiler, the opposite occurs, with pumped water moving through multiple tube or coil sections and surrounded by heated gas.
• Package hot water boilers: Hot water boilers are somewhat similar to steam boilers but are completely filled with water. They deliver the hot water to the application via circulating pumps and can be a fire-tube or water-tube design.
• Package thermal fluid heaters: A package thermal fluid heater circulates a heating liquid — usually oil — through the system, warming it up via direct contact. They can typically handle high temperatures.

There are also a few common types of water-tube boilers, all named based on the shape of the tubes:

• Steam generator: A steam generator type package boiler has a combustion chamber in the front and multiple, nested, circular coils in the rear. The steam drum sits above the body of the boiler with a recirculating pump directly beneath it.  Steam Generators get their name due to them being able to produce steam much quicker than a traditional firetube boiler usually within 5-minutes.
• D-type: A D-type boiler consists of a steam drum above the water drum, with tubes running between them and around in a “D” shape. The furnace sits in the center of the D to heat the water moving through the pipes, letting them move as steam to the steam drum.
• A-type: An A-type package boiler uses two water drums on the bottom and a steam drum on top, with water tubes running from the steam drum to the water drums, forming a triangular shape around the furnace.
• O-type: The O-type boiler sandwiches the furnace between the steam drum on top and the water drum on the bottom. The water tubes run around the furnace on either side.

Why Choose Smith Hughes for a Package Boiler?

At Smith Hughes, we offer a wide range of package boilers from respected manufacturers and combine them with our expert turnkey service. We can help with many different aspects of buying and owning a boiler:

• Sales: Our knowledgeable representatives can help you pick the perfect package boiler for your operation that balances performance, cost and ease of use.
• Service: Our expert technicians offer repairs for controls, valves, refractory, tubes, tube sheets and pumps. Other services include code welding, feed systems, insulation and training.
• Installation: We can provide turnkey installation services, including design, rigging, piping, electrical, insulation, startup and operator training.
• Auxiliary equipment: Smith Hughes carries a collection of additional equipment, such as water softeners, pumps, feed tanks, transformers, propane vaporizers, hoses, deaerators, blowdown equipment and water treatment systems. We can service these products as well.
• Designing and building boiler rooms: In addition to individual services, we can also assist with creating the entire boiler room.

If your facility is facing a boiler malfunction or yours is undergoing repairs, we offer a wide range of package boiler rentals and serve industries and facilities nationwide. You can expect a large inventory of rental boilers, mobile boiler rooms and skid-mounted boilers as well as boiler equipment to fit the various needs of your operation. You can also trust us for expert service and smooth implementation for steam, hot water and thermal fluid heater systems.

Our services are available 24/7. We’ll assist with startup, installation and all necessary training from well-trained technicians. We aim to help you minimize revenue losses and frustrations that come from boiler downtime.

Contact Us for Package Boiler Sales and Rentals

We have over 80 years of industry experience under our belt and can offer the best combination of price, performance and size for your application. Our package boilers offer dependable service for years to come, and we provide seamless ownership and rental experiences backed by 24/7 service from factory-trained technicians, along with installation, maintenance, setup and training help.

Learn what it’s like to work with our experienced team. If you have any questions or need a quote for a package boiler, give us a call at 888-956-7426 or reach out to us online.