To calculate the fuel requirement for a 3.5-ton boiler, you'll need to consider the boiler's efficiency, heating value of the fuel, and the amount of heat required. Here's a step-by-step process:
Define the terms:
- Boiler Capacity: 3.5 tons (this refers to the amount of steam the boiler can produce in one hour)
- Boiler Efficiency: This is the percentage of heat energy input that is effectively converted to steam. Let's assume the boiler efficiency is 80% (0.8 as a decimal).
- Heating Value of Fuel: This is the amount of heat energy released when a specific quantity of fuel is burned. The heating value is typically measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) per unit of fuel (e.g., BTU/lb or BTU/gallon).
Determine the heat requirement: To calculate the heat requirement for the boiler, you can use the formula: Heat Requirement (BTU/hr) = Boiler Capacity (tons) × 12,000 BTU/ton
Heat Requirement (BTU/hr) = 3.5 tons × 12,000 BTU/ton = 42,000 BTU/hr
Calculate the fuel requirement: Fuel Requirement (BTU/hr) = Heat Requirement (BTU/hr) / Boiler Efficiency
Fuel Requirement (BTU/hr) = 42,000 BTU/hr / 0.8 = 52,500 BTU/hr
So, the fuel requirement for a 3.5-ton boiler with 80% efficiency would be 52,500 BTU per hour. Note that this calculation assumes a constant heat load and doesn't take into account factors like standby losses or varying demand, which could affect the actual fuel consumption over time. Additionally, the specific type and grade of fuel used in the boiler will influence the heating value and, consequently, the fuel requirement.