This invention relates to composite boiler tubes of enhanced efficiency and to a method of enhancing the efficiency of boiler tubes.
It is known that, in operation, the efficiency of a water-tube boiler or a fire-tube boiler drops in a relatively short time, due to the build-up of soot on the firesides of the tubes and fouling particle debris on the watersides of the tubes, both of which adversely affect heat transfer through the tube walls. Furthermore, the soot and the fouling particle debris also contributes to undersirable build-up of frictional resistance to fluid circulation, on both the watersides of the tubes and the firesides thereof.
Additionally, conventional boiler tubes are subject to corrosion and pitting.
It is an important object of the invention to provide a boiler tube of enhanced efficiency, the enhanced efficiency being occasioned by slowing down the build-up of soot on the firesides of the tubes, slowing down fouling particle debris build-up on the watersides of the tubes and resisting build-up of frictional resistance to fluid circulation.
Another object is to increase tube longevity by guarding against corrosion and pitting of tubes.
Further objects are to reduce boiler down-time and hence decrease maintenance costs.
Yet an additional object is to reduce fuel consumption.
The above and additional objects and advantages, and the manner of attainment thereof, will appear hereinafter.