Which term describes the efficiency of converting heat supplied by fuel into steam in a boiler?

The term that accurately describes the efficiency of converting heat supplied by fuel into steam in a boiler is boiler efficiency. Boiler efficiency specifically refers to the measure of how well a boiler converts the energy in the fuel to usable steam energy. This metric takes into account the heat absorbed by the water, the heat lost to the surroundings, and other factors that affect the overall performance of the boiler.

Boiler efficiency is critical because it impacts both the cost-effectiveness of the operation and the environmental performance by determining how much fuel is required to generate a desired amount of steam. Higher boiler efficiency means more effective use of fuel and lower emissions.

In contrast, thermal efficiency typically refers to the efficiency of any thermal system, including engines and other processes, and does not exclusively focus on the boiler's operation in converting fuel to steam. Energy conversion is a general term that encompasses the conversion of energy from one form to another, but it lacks the specificity regarding the conversion process taking place in boilers. Heat loss refers to the waste of heat energy during the process, which is a factor considered in calculating boiler efficiency but does not define it. Thus, boiler efficiency is the most precise and relevant term in this context.