The boiler rental business began over fifty years ago, solving multiple industries’ need for temporary and emergency steam. Nationwide Boiler was at the forefront of the boiler rental industry, starting off with one of the first mobile rental boilers; a 20,000 lb/hr, 300 psig design, O-type package watertube boiler. This boiler was designed for permanent use on a highway-legal open deck trailer, making it a true mobile boiler. This new idea allowed companies to cut capital costs, save time, and be more efficient in their operations. Now, rental boilers are available for small-scale projects to industrial sized applications.
In last month’s edition of Boiler Basics 101, we discussed why rental boilers are a great choice for boiler owners in a variety of industries. To continue the topic, we will now discuss the different types of rental boilers currently on the market.
- Permanently installed on highway-legal trailers for easy transport by truck
- Boilers of various sizes up to 125,000 lb/hr, both saturated and superheated steam
- Detachable goosenecks and booster extensions allow for easy removal when space is limited
- Not protected from the weather and precautions must be taken for freeze protection (heat tracing and insulation or temporary housing shelters)
- Separate feedwater and water treatment systems and other auxiliaries can be provided to support the boiler, as needed
- Shop-assembled package boilers, without any true mobility
- Available in capacities up to 250,000 lb/hr
- Depending on the size of the boiler, skid-mounted boilers can be transported on a flat-bed trailer, step-deck trailer, or by rail
- Cranes and/or forklifts typically required for both loading and offloading
- Not protected from the weather and precautions must be taken for freeze protection (heat tracing and insulation or temporary housing shelters)
- Separate feedwater and water treatment systems and other auxiliaries can be provided to support the boiler, as needed
- Typically includes a package firetube boiler, installed inside a container and mounted on a chassis for mobility
- Ideal for users who need a boiler-only package that is weatherproofed for outdoor operation in the wintertime
- Separate feedwater and water treatment systems and other auxiliaries can be provided to support the boiler, as needed
- Complete steam plants, self-contained within enclosed vans, with all equipment required to produce steam:
- *Package firetube boiler
- Atmospheric feedwater system
- * Water softener
- Chemical injection tank
- * Blowdown separator
- Typically available in capacities up to 1,000 hp
- Weatherproofed and better suited than alternatives for outdoor operation in the wintertime
- Similar to a mobile boiler room, with all equipment required to produce steam
- Equipment is installed on an open, step-deck trailer
- Not protected from the weather and precautions must be taken for freeze protection (heat tracing and insulation or temporary housing shelters)
- Complete steam plant, normally built inside of a standard 20 or 40’ shipping container
- Available with either a vertical or a horizontal boiler arrangement depending on requirements
- Cranes typically required for both loading and offloading
- These systems accommodate less capacity than a mobile boiler room
- Popular for overseas and government projects, due to ease of transportation
Each type of rental boiler system explained above has their own unique advantage and may be better fit for one user over another. The requirements of operation, however, are the same: end-users must supply a fuel source (natural gas, #2 oil, propane, or other fuel), electrical power supply, and make-up water. Which type of rental system is best fit for your unique operation?
Nationwide Boiler maintains an inventory inclusive of all types of boilers listed above, ranging in size from 47.5 hp to 200,000 lb/hr. Visit our website to find a complete listing of rental boilers available, and contact a Nationwide Boiler Sales Representative for additional details and pricing. 1-800-227-1966