Variables
Description
What is this formula?
Boiler efficiency measures how effectively a boiler converts the energy contained in fuel into useful heat transferred to steam or hot water.
When to use it
Use this formula when evaluating boiler performance, comparing fuel consumption, identifying energy losses, or performing energy audits in industrial facilities.
Example
A boiler receives 12,000 kW of thermal energy from fuel combustion and transfers 10,200 kW to the generated steam.
Formula:
ηb = Qout / Qin
Substitution:
ηb = 10200 / 12000
Result:
ηb = 0.85
Boiler efficiency is 85%.
Applications
- Industrial boiler performance evaluation
- Energy audits
- Fuel consumption analysis
- Steam generation systems
- Process optimization
Note
This equation represents the direct efficiency method. Actual boiler efficiency depends on stack losses, radiation losses, blowdown losses, excess air levels, and fuel properties. More detailed standards may use indirect loss calculations to determine efficiency.