Feedwater
Water that is treated for use in a boiler.
Feedwater accessory
equipment that is not directly attached to the boiler that controls the quantity, pressure, and/ or temperature of water supplied to the boiler.
Surge Tank
a large condensate receiver used to collect the condensate before it is directed back to the boiler or deaerator.
Stop Valve
a valve that is opened or closed by the operator and typically is used to isolate the feedwater to the boiler.
check valve
a valve that allows flow in only one direction
gate valve
a valve that stops or starts fluid flow by raising or lowering a gate into the valve passageway
globe valve
a valve that allows fluid to flow by raising or lowering a valve disc against a seat
condensate return tank
a boiler accessory that collects condensate returned from heating units
feedwater heater
a boiler accessory that heats feedwater before entering the boiler
makeup water
water added to the boiler to replace lost water due to leaks or lost condensate
feedwater regulator
a boiler accessory that maintains the NOWL in the boiler by controlling the amount of feedwater pumped to the boiler from the surge tank
low water fuel cutoff
a boiler fitting that shuts the burner OFF in the event of a low water condition
evaporation test
a test in which the boiler operator allows the water level in the boiler to drop in order to test the proper operation of the low water fuel cutoff.
pump
a device that causes fluid to flow by creating a suction to pull liquid into the pump and pressure to push liquid out of the pump.
suction head
the pressure at a pump inlet when the liquid supply to a pump is taken from a tank or other supply source that is above the pump
suction lift
the pressure at a pump inlet when the liquid supply to a pump is taken from a tank or other supply that is below the pump
dynamic pump
a pump that operates by adding momentum to the liquid while taking in and discharging fluids in a continuous flow across an unsealed chamber
centrifugal pump
a dynamic pump that has a rotating impeller inside a cast iron or steel housing
feedwater pump
a boiler accessory used to pump feedwater to the boiler
centrifugal feedwater pump
a feedwater pump that converts centrifugal force to pressure for transporting feedwater
centrifugal force
the outward force produced by a rotating object
positive placement pump
a pump that operates by moving a fixed amount of a substance with each cycle, stroke, or rotation
gear pump
a positive pump consisting of two meshing gears enclosed in a close-fitting housing
reciprocating pump, piston pump
a pump in which fluid flow is produced by reciprocating pistons
single-acting pump
a reciprocating pump that moves fluid in only one direction of the stroke
double-acting pump
a reciprocating pump that moves fluid in both directions of stroke
vacuum pump
a boiler accessory that produces a negative pressure on condensate return lines to draw condensate back from the system
priming
the process of overcoming suction lift and getting liquid to a pump outlet
foot valve
a check valve installed at the bottom of the suction line on a suction lift pump that keeps the suction line primed when the pump shuts down
priming pump
a vacuum pump that ejects air from the suction line of a larger suction-lift pump installation
cavitation
the process in which microscopic gas bubbles expand in a vacuum and suddenly implode when entering a pressurized area
mechanical seal
an assembly of mechanical parts installed around a pump shaft that prevents leakage of the pumped liquid along the shaft
packing
an assembly of compressible sealing material installed around a pump shaft that prevents the pumped liquid from leaking along the shaft