Boiler Blog | Nationwide Boiler Inc.

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.

Trailer-Mounted Boilers

• - 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

Skid-Mounted Boilers

• - 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

Containerized Mobile Boilers

• - 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

Mobile Boiler Rooms

• - 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

Mobile Steam Plants

• - 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)

Transportable Steam Plants

• - 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

The food processing industry relies heavily on companies like Nationwide Boiler for providing temporary steam for seasonal production, especially every summer when tomato season rolls around. One report indicates that California accounts for more than 90 percent of the U.S. production of tomatoes and in 2008 the state recorded a $953 million crop. As a food staple, tomatoes can be found in one form of another in most every household and are used in ketchup, pizza and pasta sauce and salsa, and many other products requiring tomato paste.
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Nationwide has always taken a proactive approach towards renting equipment to tomato processors located in California's Central Valley. To keep the industry running, it is vital that Nationwide stock an adequate amount of trailer-mounted boilers in anticipation of an abundant harvest, on top of equipment already rented out to customers in other industries. It is also important that Nationwide continually stay in contact with tomato processors well in advance of the start of the season to ensure equipment is available and operating prior to tomato delivery.

One prominent processor located near Modesto, CA recently rented a 70,000 lb/hr trailer-mounted boiler with a CataStak™ SCR system and an EconoStak economizer. As in previous years, the equipment was delivered as the company was preparing to ramp up production prior to the first tomato-laden trucks rolling in. The addition of the CataStak and EconoStak improved boiler efficiency and the boiler easily met the 5 ppm NOx emission requirement required by the local air district. Not only is Nationwide providing an immediate supply of steam, but the company is also providing an environmentally “green” solution.

The next time you enjoy ketchup with your fries or when you add an extra scoop of sauce to go with your spaghetti, remember that Nationwide Boiler was involved in making sure those tomatoes made it to your plate, and we expect to continue to do the same - time and time again.