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

If you love tuna then you are most likely already familiar with Chicken of the Sea. The company is opening a canning operation in Lyons, GA and they have selected Nationwide Boiler to supply a 650 hp (22,500 lbs/hr) Mobile Boiler Room for temporary steam. The new 200,000 square-foot facility will create 200 jobs around Toombs County and it is expected to be fully operational by October 2009.

Michael Medina, Nationwide Boiler's Rental Manager, shares the excitement the new plant has brought to local residents. “This new plant is a major accomplishment for Chicken of the Sea and the surrounding community. We are proud that our boiler will allow the plant to efficiently produce their tuna and quickly bring it to market throughout the United States

The Chicken of the Sea brand and famous Mermaid icon are among the most recognized brands in America. Nationwide Boiler is proud that we can do our part (as small as it may be) to make sure it stays that way.

At Nationwide Boiler we continuously upgrade our stock of rental equipment, allowing us to offer our customers a variety of options to fit each individual need. We are currently assembling two (2) 650 HP, 250 psig design, low NOx mobile boiler rooms. Below are some pictures of one of the boilers being put into its trailer, take a look!

 

There are many different types of boiler options available in the rental market. Trailer-mounted boilers, skid-mounted boilers, transportable steam plants, and of course, mobile boiler rooms.

Mobile boiler rooms are highway-legal, transportable trailer-mounted vans or containers, designed and customized to house the components of a “mini” steam plant. This includes all of the necessary equipment with the proper hook-ups to supply a given amount of steam for most any application. Major equipment typically contained within a complete mobile boiler room includes a low NOx boiler, feedwater system, duplex water softener, chemical feed system, blowdown tank, and all valving and controls required for complete steam room operation. Typical mobile boiler rooms operate on natural gas, #2 oil, or propane, and range in size from 47.5 hp to 1,000 hp with design pressures from 150 to 290 psi.

What makes a mobile boiler room advantageous for end-users is that they require no special foundations, are fully enclosed, and can sustain inclement weather conditions without the use of costly weather protection. In addition, mobile boiler rooms are aesthetically pleasing in both industrial and commercial settings.

Nationwide Boiler has provided thousands of customers with high quality mobile boiler rooms that have not only met high steam demands, but have also required quick delivery, rapid start-up, and ease of operation. In most instances, a mobile boiler room requires one knowledgeable operator with proper training on boiler control safety and feedwater quality control. Industries that utilize mobile boiler rooms range from hospitals, food processors, pulp and paper plants, colleges and universities, and light manufacturing, just to name a few.

When deciding if renting a mobile boiler room is best for you, the following factors must be determined:

Location. Mobile boiler rooms are fully enclosed units and can be transported to any facility as long as proper electrical and utility hookups are available. Mobile boiler rooms are more operational and more secure than skid-mounted systems. This enables mobile boiler rooms to be utilized in public locations with decreased operational noise disturbances and possible tampering of exposed boiler equipment.

Ease of Operation. Mobile boiler rooms are designed to be fully operational steam plants, without the need of a full-time boiler control team. As long as daily boiler and feedwater quality logs are kept, and required maintenance is performed, then costly teams of operators can be avoided.

The evolution of mobile boiler rooms continues to expand and Nationwide Boiler is committed to supplying the right equipment for your needs. Contact a Nationwide sales representative today to determine if a mobile boiler room is the right choice for you.