A Guide On The Different Types of Boilers

Due to the various types available, choosing a boiler for your industrial facility can be confusing. There are many things to consider and parameters to factor in before you can select as boilers are high investment, and you need to get it right for a high return on investment.

To help make the decision-making process more straightforward, we’ve created a guide with information about the different types of boilers and their classification based on uses. However, before delving into the types of boilers, it is first essential to understand what boilers are exact.

What Is A Boiler?

A steel pressure vessel in which water is put under pressure and is then converted in steam by applying combustion is known as a boiler. Simply put, a boiler is like a heat exchanger in which radiant heat and hot flue gases are used and liberated from burning fuel to generate sufficient steam and hot water for heating and processing loads. Typically, a boiler has six main essential parts.

The Parts of A Boiler

  •     Burner
  •     Combustion space
  •     Convection section
  •     Stack
  •     Air fans
  •     Controls and accessories


Now that you have the basic knowledge of what a boiler is and what it is used for, let’s have a look at the different types of boilers and their classification based on its uses:

Types of Boilers

Given below is an overview of the different types of boilers that are classified based on their uses and functionality. Industries can use this information to find the boiler that suits their needs best:

Classification 1: Based On Relative Passage of Water & Hot Gases:

    Water Tube Boiler:

In this type of boiler, the water flows through small tubers that are surrounded by hot combustion gases.

    Fire Tube Boiler:


The exact opposite of water tube boilers, in this type of boiler, hot combustion gases are passed through boiler tubes that are surrounded by water.

Classification 2: Based On The Water Circulation Arrangement:

    Natural Circulation:


Water circulates through the boiler naturally due to the difference in the density of water and hot combustion gasses.

    Forced Circulation:


A water pump is used to force the water in the tube to run its path, due to which the steam generation rate increases. 

Classification 3: Based On The Use:

    Stationary Boiler:


Primarily, these types of boilers are used in power plants or for processing steam in plants.

    Portable Boiler:

These types of boilers are generally used temporarily at sites and are small units that mobile and can be used from place to place.

    Locomotive Boilers:


Specially designed boilers, locomotives are used to create steam to drive railway engines.

    Marine Boilers:


Similar to locomotive boilers, marine boilers are specially created and are used exclusively to drive ships.

Classification 4: Based On The Position of the Furnace

    Internally Fired


The placement of the furnace in this type of boiler is located inside the shell.

    Externally Fired:

As the name suggests, the furnace in this type of boiler is located outside the boiler shell.

Classification 5: Based On The Pressure Needed To Generate Steam

    Low-pressure Boiler:


Typically used for process heating, low-pressure boilers can produce steam at a pressure as low as 15-20 bars.

    Medium-pressure Boiler:


Used for power generation or a combination of power generation and process heating, medium-pressure boilers produce steam at a working pressure of 20-80 bars.

    High-pressure Boiler:


To create steam, these boilers require a pressure of at least more than 80 bars.

So, there you have it! An introduction to the different types of boilers. However, if you’re still not sure which boiler suits your need, boiler manufactures like Thermax provides in-depth information about the uses of the types of boilers that they sell. Be sure to check it out before buying the perfect boiler for your factory!

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