What Are the Components of a Steam Generator?

The steam generator is fairly common throughout the United States. Whether part of solar panel fields, steel manufacturing plants, or even found in residential homes, this technology is very widespread. However, just what parts make up a steam generator varies from unit to unit. Generally speaking though, there are some basic parts of every type of steam generator.

Water

Without water, there is nothing to create steam from. As a result, a steam generator must have water piped to it for the apparatus to work. Often, though not always, a very large steam generation unit is built near natural sources of water, such as lakes or ponds. When this isn't an option, water is piped to the unit from a nearby city, or held in a water tower for the machine's use.

Furnace

The furnace is the area of a steam generator where the heat is created. In more familar models, such as hot water heaters, this is done by burning some kind of fuel like oil or natural gas. In a larger, more industrial steam generator however, the furnace might work off of other power sources. In a solar power field, the furnace is the panels heating the water as it passes beneath them. Heat much be generated somehow, and that is the job of the furnace.

Boiler

While the word boiler might bring to mind images of nineteenth century machines made of brass and copper, the term refers to the area of a steam generator where the steam is actually produced. The boiler proper as it is sometimes referred to is where the heat generated by the furnace is applied to the water to turn it into steam. The type of steam can vary, as most steam is hot, but some steam is super heated, brought to degrees that are beyond dangerous. It all depends on the variety of steam generator that is being used.

Other Components

While the furnace, boiler and piping for the water are the main components of a steam generator, there are other components that may change from one model to another. The pilot light for instance is a system that ignites the furnace. Often this system works similarly to a spark plug, or the pilot light in an oven. Also, many industrial steam generators have a variety of gauges, showing how much pressure is being created, and as a result, how much steam can be used.

Steam

While not a component in and of itself, the steam made by a steam generator is the finished product. This steam has a variety of uses, particularly among the energy industry. The steam generator is used to turn turbines which create electricity. Though the fuels have been modified to use, from sunlight and radiation to natural gas and other oil based products, may change, the technology first discovered more than 100 years ago is even more widely used today than ever before.