What is a significant issue when using a tubular boiler as a steam unit?

The significant issue when using a tubular boiler as a steam unit revolves around dissolved impurities forming scale on the tube. Tubular boilers, which are designed to heat water in tubes to produce steam, are particularly susceptible to the accumulation of scale due to the high temperatures and pressures involved in their operation.

When water is heated, any dissolved impurities such as calcium and magnesium can precipitate out as solids, forming scale on the inner surfaces of the tubes. This scaling can severely affect the efficiency of heat transfer, leading to overheating of the boiler tubes, which can result in tube failures or even a catastrophic failure of the boiler. Additionally, scale buildup reduces the effective cross-sectional area for water flow, which can also impair the operation of the boiler and increase maintenance costs.

Overall, managing water quality and preventing scale formation through the use of water treatment chemicals and rigorous monitoring is critical in the operation of tubular boilers to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable steam generation.