PIROBLOC

MODULATING BURNERS

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:05:00 +0000

Although, it is certain that at present many equipment of new acquisition incorporates this type of burners. In fact, Pirobloc always implements them without additional cost in all gas equipment. They still even exist many facilities with burners of two steps or, for low powers, at one step.

Each process of manufacture is different, but the habitual fact is that the heat consumer does not even require all the power at any moment. Also, in certain cases, the consumption is null or low. In those cases of variable processes and, still considering an optimal regulation, the burner will go out. Opposite to the appearances, this action does not contribute to any economic saving. From a point of view of energetics efficiency, when the burner starts again, it will take place the relative "blowing" of the combustion chamber, producing an unnecessary cooling of it.

With a correct sizing and the supplying of modulating burners, when the demand of power is low, the modulation of the burner complies consequently with that low demand, avoiding complete unemployment and the cooling of the combustion chamber for, immediately afterwards, returning to warm up it. That is to say, useless fuel consumption.

See you in our next appointment.

Fuel Saving

noreply@blogger.com (Alex Montes) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 06:00:00 +0000

¿DID YOU KNOW…?

That in a heating process with thermal fluid fuel consumption is between 20 and 25% lower than with steam.

Of course you did. Despite and maybe because not everybody did, I’m not get bored to repeat. Nowadays energy and industry are focused in the climatic change, fuel fossil exhaustion and in its consequent price increase. Then, to choose the suitable technological option to heat up a process becomes the key not just for our planet but also for our pocket.

Still there are many companies and process burning more than 20% strictly needed. The global efficiency of one indirect heating installation is 65 - 70%. That is to say more than 30% of the energy is get lost. Third part of it is getting lost by the chimney. Exhaust recovery has to be develop notably in the coming years. But this is not the topic of today. The worst is the other 20% of the whole burnt fuel. Condensates and steam traps are in charge of it.

The good new is that this same process heated up by hot oil will have a global efficiency of 90%. The other 10% is getting lost again by the stack. But that’s all. Is not phase change, nor condensates recovery, nor steam traps. It’s just a closed circuit.

The heat insulation in a thermal oil installation

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 10:00:00 +0000

The technology of the heating through thermal oil has like basic characteristics the possibility of working at high temperatures (180-280ºC), not generating high pressures as it happens in steam installations.

This is due to the fact that there is not a change of phase from its liquid form and to the fact to work in a closed circuit.

But, today we want to focus ourselves in the type of specific heat insulation recommended to isolate the thermal fluid facilities, existing in the market multiple products for it, between which the mineral wools (rock wool), the plastic foams, products with cellulose, etc., all of them with the basic characteristic to avoid losses of heat from the heating fluid, to guarantee the yield and good operation of the installation, avoiding accidents and expensive energy losses, avoiding a greater environmental contamination and global heating.

In our case, it is important to consider the working temperature of the process and the diameter of the installation piping, recommending the following:
We will use casting dies in pipes of small and medium diameter, due to the concentric disposition of fibers. Therefore, the thickness of the casting dies would not have to be inferior to 60 mm for the pipe until DN-65, being of 80 mm for the pipe of greater diameter. The use of the rock wool is recommended in higher diameters of the previously mentioned ones, and for working temperatures over 200ºC.

In order to extend the previous information, you can consult the norm UNE 9310 that applies in Spain and that informs into the minimum thicknesses of isolation according to the diameters and temperatures of work.

Please, remember that it is not necessary to isolate the expansion and collecting tanks in the thermal oil facilities.
Please, also remember that the insulating wools use noninflammable materials and of a minimum calorific power, being against the propagation of fires. If we have high working temperatures or increases of temperature in an installation, will have to choose high density (HD) rock wools for our insulation.

To finish, as habitual norm and with the object of calculations, it is used the following reference: the temperature of wall of a heat consumer machine, of a thermal oil heater, of the piping, etc., does not have to surpass in 30ºC the room temperature.
See you next time.

Thermal fluid heater: the best location

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 08:01:00 +0000

In the present article we would like to give some advices to consider at the moment of the constitution, possible construction and start up of a new production line or a new plant. These advices can result in a more efficient and rational way to raise the positioning of your production sources, such as the thermal fluid heater:

In the case of a new industrial plant in which the roof does not still exist and the heater has important dimensions, people usually takes advantage of the nonexistence roof to enter the heater. Please, consider to make an opening in the plant of the dimensions of the boiler, for possible future repairs or even for the moment in which the heater will be dismantled and in order to avoid to disassemble part of the tile roof in the future.
At the time of the thermal oil heater definitive positioning, it can be located near the consumer and/or of the working area of the staff in charge of its maintenance and monitoring. This action will revert in an economic saving as far as materials of installation and time used by that staff in the control of the boiler.
You must remember that we have boilers with vertical and horizontal design to save any difficulty of space you can have.
In reference to the fuel to be used in the burner of the boiler, you should remember that:

In case of using natural gas, you should avoid the placement of the heater in cellars. In this way, you would not have to make a forced ventilation installation, necessary to facilitate the combustion of the gas burner if placed in such places.
In case of use light oil or heavy fuel oil, you will need a storage tank for these fuels, reason why you can save the installation of an intermediate vessel if you install the heater the closest possible of the main fuel storage tank.

In reference to the necessary elements for the good operation of a thermal oil circuit, you should take into account one expansion and one collecting tanks of certain dimensions.
To finish and speaking about the chimney, remember that it must exceed minimum 1 meter over the surrounding buildings within a radius of 10 meters with respect to the axis of the chimney.

We are at your disposal to answer to your questions and commentaries.

The most interesting published subjects

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:30:00 +0000

Three years ago, we published the first post in this blog. After this lapsed time, we have stated that some subjects have been more visited and interesting than others and for that reason, following you can find them:

The day to day and just the short time at disposition, they do that our readers receive by RSS the new publications on the blog, but we receive very little commentaries.

Thanks to your commentaries, we could know what information is more interesting to you than other of each subject, and thus we can develop it or answer to you.

We invite to you to comment and in any case, we promise to always answer.

Good year to all!

Our Christmas present

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:30:00 +0000

According with the success of the thematic of the last posts and the dates in which we are, we want to do a gift to you.

Following with our policy to share the knowledge, we have the pleasure to announce to you that we have put at the disposal of all you in our Website and concretely in the section of Technology, some formulas of calculation that can be useful for the future professionals in our sector of activity and also for our clients.

Also, we are thinking especially about our readers who are not engineering specialists: When they will need a heating generator for a thermal fluid circuit, they will be able to have a priori more comprehensible specific parameters, which they will receive from their suppliers.

We hope that this gift serves to make easy your future decisions of investment in heating systems. As Goethe said: “The love and the joy are wings for the new projects”.

Merry Christmas from PIROBLOC.

Our third anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Three years ago, we published the first blog in google.

Lapsed that time, we have been object of a study next to other companies, we have received some consultations and we hope to have contributed with enough information on the technology that we develop, technical points of view and to have helped to decide on the convenience or not of its use in the investment projects of the people in charge of industrial plants.

By our part, we are thankful for the visits to our blog and about the received comments of the readers.

PIROBLOC born in the secondary sector and oriented its activity to the national market as well as to the foreign one, using this blog and other tools at disposal today for everybody, to continue transferring knowledge and technology to which wants to continue reading us.

We hope to be able to continue receiving your visits and your consultations, to improve and to grow in all the industrial sectors in which our long experience is a guarantee.

Election of the fuel for your process

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 11:00:00 +0000

At the beginning of its activity or during the same, a company must choose the fuel whereupon to work in its processes and other many they are submitted to the provision that they have at disposal.

The factors that affect the election of the fuel are different according to the point of view from which they are studied:

The availability in the zone.
The initial investment to realise:

The price of the burner, being the most expensive dual burners (able to burn 2 or most fuels), burner of H.F.O. (heavy fuel oil); those of gas and finally those of light oil.
The necessary cost of the pipeline of fuel provision till the burner, vessels, safety measures, etc. This point has major incidence that the previous one.

The considered consumption derivative of the activity: The election in this case, can depend on the hours of process and the calorific necessity of the same. The ideal is to do a comparison by unit of calorific power like kilocalories or thermia (1000 kcal) necessary in its process: The product of the multiplication by the PCI of each fuel and the cost in kg, liter or m3 of each, will give to you the cost by thermia and therefore, what fuel is the most convenient for your activity. In the following table appear the PCI's of the more current conventional fuels:

Type of fuel	Calorific power
	Inferior	Superior
Natural gas	9.270 kcal/m3
Liquefied petroleum gases
Comercial Propane	11.082 Kcal/Kg	12.052 Kcal/Kg.
Methane	5.500 kcal/m3
Commercial butane	10.938 Kcal/Kg	11.867Kcal/Kg.
Light oil type C	10.100 kcal/kg
Biodiesel	It depends on his composition
H. Fuel oil	9.400 kcal/kg

You can visit a web about Liquefied petroleum gases in which there is an example about the equivalence of 1 kg of propane in reference to the energy provided by:
1,24 ms ³ of natural gas;
1,20 lt. of H. fuel-oil;
3 ms ³ of citizen gas;
1,30 lt. of light oíl;
3 to 6 kg of firewood (generic data);
14 kWh of electricity;
to 2 kg of coal.

On the basis of the tariffs that propose to you: With an approximate calculation of the consumption you will obtain the supply tariff of your gas and electricity suppliers, whose prices are very tie to the zone in which you are located.
On the basis of the maintenance: The burners with gaseous fuels always have a simpler maintenance than those of light oil and heavy fuel-oil (being used these last ones in boilers and furnaces of major heat ratings), because gases have a cleaner combustion.
On the basis of the environment: Companies located in cities, laboratories or other companies of nonpolluting character, are forced in many occasions to use the electricity to avoid emissions of CO2 to the atmosphere.

Comparison between thermal fluid and steam

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 09:15:00 +0000

In previous posts we informed on the thermal fluid transmitters that can be used in an industrial installation. In this blog we want to make a comparison between the use of the thermal fluid versus the steam, both perhaps the most extended systems world-wide.

The requirements for the steam facilities are more restrictive than those of thermal fluid:

Steam boilers of a certain size and water volume have to be installed in a separate boiler room. In many countries the boiler room cannot be located within the main building or production site, but has to be separated at a certain minimum distance. Moreover, protection walls of such boiler room have to be of a minimum thickness, depending on the category of the boiler.
Water treatment is an absolute requirement for every type of steam boiler, whether of the coil type, water tube or fire tubes. Water treatment consists of a water softening plant (which should be a twin system in most of the cases) in combination with a chemical treatment of pH control and oxygen scavenger. A water softener “Twin” system consists of two cylinders to hold the resin in order to allow a regeneration of one column whilst the other resin column remains in service. A twin softener is an absolute must in production plants with a continuous operating cycle of 24/24 h.
Oxygen removal and pH control can be done by means of a chemical dosing system (dosing pump with dosing tank). With some type of boilers, especially of the coil type, special care has to be given during “stand-still” periods. If no measures have been taken to keep the coil either completely dry or completely filled by means of a time controlled “post-run” system, the risk of oxygen corrosion during standstill period is very high. (Note: Post-run means that the water pump has to remain in operation to keep the coil filled with water whilst the system cools down, in order to prevent air pockets to be formed in the upper part of the heating coil which would introduce oxygen in the heating coil and cause a typical form of “pit corrosion”).
With too much concentration of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), a carry over of chemicals will take place. Too high concentration of dissolved solids (example over 3.000 mg/l) can be caused either when blow down periods are not being strictly adhered to or during “peak-loads” which demand momentarily more steam than the average nominal capacity of the boiler size. This carry-over will result into wet steam and the chemicals which will remain in “wet steam” can block steam traps, steam regulating valves etc. Hence, high maintenance costs and waste of energy in case steam traps do not function properly and do not shut off properly.
Some more details are referred to in the section “Corrosion” hereafter. Especially in fire tube boilers, because of the larger water content, explosion risk remains despite added automation on modern boilers.

Efficiency

The thermal fluid does not require any special treatment once the installation has been filled up. Its life oscillates between 10 and 12 years. This means that the cost of this element is really insignificant.

The thermal fluid, which comes out of equipment after having heated it, will enter into the generator with only 1 or 2 ºC less temperature. This shows that the loss of heat during its way in the line is situated at the minimum.

There has to be taken into account, that the outcoming steam of a purge has an average temperature of 120 ºC, whereas when it reaches the tank of condensed it usually does not exceed 90 ºC, and in many occasions it does not even reach this low temperature. On the other hand it should also be taken into account, that there always remain a flow of steam in the purges which gets lost through evaporation and these calories are never more recovered.

Thermal fluid systems suffer none of the above-described losses.

Legal requirements

These are generators working WITHOUT HIGH PRESSURE. This fact exonerates them of the walls, distances to neighborhood, and all the other norms which have to be taken inTO account and accomplished for the steam type boilers. Thermal fluid boilers may be installed in any place, even just besides the manufacturing machines.

Corrosion

Neither the generator nor the pipeline suffer from wearing away, as the function is done with lubrication liquid, NOT CORROSIVE like water.

Maintenance

Any kind of dragging, such as for water, of salts, of oxides, or of any other indissoluble solids is not necessary. This means that nothing can affect the goodness of heat transmission through thermal oil. This type of installations are practically free of maintenance.

Fuel saving

When heating is done through thermal fluid, we are able to obtain a level of temperature regulation till ± 2 ºC in the machines. When using steam heating this is completely unthinkable, as the differences in a normal installation are situated around ± 10 ºC.

This is of course also a very important factor in saving fuel, as it allows organizing a very regular temperature average, without any fear that the quality of the product may get spoiled due to the ups and downs which could occur when treated with steam.

The sum of the related factors results on a fuel saving around a minimum 12 to 18% according to concrete data taken in facilities which are working for a long time to total satisfaction of our clients.

Technology

Another advantage when using thermal fluid, is that all problems concerning passing preferences, as usually they appear in steam installations, are completely cancelled: When working with steam all the machines, which are located nearer to the boilers, they will receive the full amount of flow which they need. Those machines which are at a greater distance very often have a lack of flow.

With the thermal fluid and through our system of ballast check valves we assure to each individual machine the whole quantity of necessary hot oil, ensuring a temperature stability.

Safety

No risk of explosion, because there is no high pressure inside and neither hot oil storage.

Cavitations do not appear in the recirculating pump of thermal oil.

In steam installations they may arise when the feeding water which is recovered from the condensed surpasses a temperature of 90 ºC, at that stage either it is cooled down with water entering in the line or part of the condensed are thrown away, but this last supposition is really absurd in view of the cost of the fuel.

With the details we have mentioned above, we intend to offer you a global view on the subject of the thermal fluid installations. However in order to get a more precise knowledge it is necessary to enter deeper in this kind of equipment, for this purpose we remain at your entire disposition.

Important aspects about ISO 9001

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 07:21:00 +0000

In our previous article about how it repels in the client the certificate of quality ISO 9001, we commented several aspects that we will extend next.

We have observed an important interest by this subject and for this reason we will deepen in the following aspects that we consider of great relevance in the norm ISO 9001:

Planning of the production of the product: PIROBLOC plans and develops the necessary processes for the accomplishment of the product. These processes determine:

Objectives of the quality and the requirements for the product.
Required activities of verification, validation, pursuit, measurement, inspection and tests.
Registry of all the activities to demonstrate the fulfill of all the requirements.

The constant communication with the client to determine what and how he wants it: PIROBLOC effectively determines and implements the communication with the client regarding the information on the product, consultations, contracts, modifications and complaints. We look for the feedback with the client through this constant communication and thus to obtain the continuous improvement at all levels.
Determination of the requirements necessary to fulfill by our side, during the productive process: PIROBLOC determines the requirements specified and established by the client. Also we determine all the legal and prescriptive requirements, as well as, the additional ones that we considere necessary.
To assure the homologation of the suppliers, concerning materials: PIROBLOC verifies that the acquired materials fulfill the specified requirements of purchase, assuring therefore the quality of the materials to be used. This control repels in the homologation of suppliers, establishing a qualitative index for each supplier.
Analysis and measurement of the received feedback of the client, to continue improving: All contact established with the client before, during and after the production is registered and analyzed to measure the satisfaction of the client and to thus be able to improve any aspect in searching of the continuous improvement.

Please, do not hesitate in asking for more information on anyone of the mentioned points.

How does it help the certificate of quality ISO 9001 to the customers?

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 10:45:00 +0000

PIROBLOC has the certificate of quality ISO 9001:2008 and this fact has repercussions on our clients satisfaction thanks to the implanted quality management system.

So, what is the ISO 9001:2008?
It is a norm elaborated by the Technical Committee ISO/TC176 of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), that specifics the requirements for a good management system of the quality, which must tender to the obtaining of an improvement in the satisfaction of the client.

When a company decides to fit its processes to the mentioned norm, it is assuring to its internal clients (the own workers) as well as the external ones, the following aspects:

A planning of the production.
The constant communication with the client to determine what he wants and how he wants it.
To determine the necessary requirements to fulfill by the company during the productive process.
To assure the homologation of the suppliers, concerning materials.
Analysis and measurement of the feed-back of the client, to continue improving.

Next, we will develop the mentioned points, if we consider that it is of your interest, through your visits to the present blog.

Spanish aids for technological R+D

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:22:00 +0000

To apply the innovation to our processes is essential for our enterprise fabric, not only like source of creation of new companies with singular products or services, but also to make sure a certain competitive level in the existing global market and within the sector where the company works, in the medium or long-term. Basically it is essential to contribute with new ideas, creative and differential ones, commit with external and internal communication channels at disposition.

In order to support the costs of this activity, the Public Administrations offer several programs of financial support, directly or through specific institutions, to which you must to present essentially the following documents :

Explanatory memory that shapes the newness contributed to the market, not being permissible like innovation, the contribution of a change to an already existing machine.
The project must be calculated in terms of technological risk costs (operation tests, simulations, etc.).
Countable memory.
The manufacture must follow the “rules of the art”.
The industry councils of the CC.AA as well as the respective Chambers of Commerce can inform to you directly into the different subsidies that the Public Administration offers through Mº de Ciencia y Tecnología or the ICO. All them offer subvention programs for technological development .

On the other hand, the fiscal deduction of 8% maximum in the Impuesto de Sociedades (corporation tax) is another possible way from which the innovating company can benefit.

We invited to you to visit the web of Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico Industrial or call to the Depto. de Promoción Tecnológica, tel +34 91 581 55 18.

You can also visit the site of Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación.

How being more sustainable

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Wed, 26 May 2010 06:00:00 +0000

With the change of century, the Spanish public institutions promoted the development and investigation of renewable energies.

Today an agenda could be established on its promotion: Some years ago they began with the wind power which continues its expansion gradually; it is nowadays continued with the promotion of the manufacture and consumption of bio-fuels, to which many companies are added by the incentives promised by the Spanish government. To finish, it seems that the solar energy is the great bargain now. On the other hand, Spanish companies are really well internationally positioned in reference to the treatment of the water and its operation.

As the main technology of our company is based on the thermal oil as heat transmission vehicle, we always advised to our clients that once the useful life of the oil is finished, this one be sent to recycling plants. In that way. they still valorize it for being used in very specific motors of electrical production plants.

The thermal oils, being of mineral or synthetic origin, they can not be used in the manufacture of bio-diesel as inform to us a manager of one of the main production plants at national level. Although its recovery is a very minority activity, it is a small step for the environmental sustainability that all the user companies of these oils can make.

Other oils, like vegetable for frying, they are used in the process of production of bio-diesel for the car industry, although the quantity of bio-fuel produced from them represents a very small percentage with respect to the rest of the production, which is based on oily plants.

From year 2007, the production of bio-fuels has been increased and the market has matured. Today, the industry is in a phase of debate on the efficiency of the different biomasses and applicable technologies.

We invited to you to visit the following link to the Directive 2009/28/CE, on requirements of sustainability and promotion of the use of renewable sources energy.

Study on our blog

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:14:00 +0000

We are proud to inform you about the study on new tools of communication for companies, made by staff of the Basque Country University and titleholder “blog like communication and marketing tool”, in which blogs of 50 companies of diverse economic sectors have been analyzed, between which it is ours.

We hope that it is so useful to you as to us, as a consultation tool and like a vehicle to draw your own conclusions.

As we have already said few months ago, publishing our ideas and technology in a blog, it seemed to us from the beginning a good method to illustrate to own and other people's on a sector and product that sometimes seem distant, but they are not as much.

Please, remember: The technique moves the world, although always thanks to a few on it enthusiastic people.

Heat transmission fluids (2)

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:10:00 +0000

SMOKE or GASES. This source of heat is used generally when a surplus of energy in the form of smoke or hot gases exists.

In those cases, it is profitable to invest in a recovery unit or economizer that helps to reuse the heat that those smokes contain. Its design will be adjusted to the final application to which the residual heat will be destined. To do this, the recovery unit has coils, chambers, etc. through which water, air or any other fluid that it is interesting to warm up for other subsidiary process in the plant, will be forced to circulate.

Applications: Fuel saving by an industrial burner as a result of the preheating of the air used by it, for example, or, as a central heating or air conditioning of a plant, etc.

Water heating, steam production, etc.

The recovery systems are usually provided with a by-pass or diverter, to interrupt or to turn aside the smoke flow of its passage by the economizer or heat recovery unit.

THERMAL OIL. There are two types, synthetic and mineral, being different marks and models in the market, to work to different temperature ranks. We wrote about in a old post about the thermal fluid transmitters of heat.

The main characteristic of the oil is that it does not change of state when working over 100ºC under absolute pressure, reason why the circuit pressure that it generates it is not as high as the generated by other fluids.

We advise about the use of the thermal oil in processes in which it is needed indirect heat and high working temperatures (from 150 to 300 ºC).

Please remember that at the end of the useful life of the thermal oil, the user must recycle it, but about that we will speak in the next blogs.

New video about a boiler

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:16:00 +0000

I know that all you hope to read more on the heat transfer fluids but before continuing with that subject, I make this small interjection to inform to you that you already can see how it is our new electrical steam boiler, without having to move to our company:

We thank you for you visit in advance.

See you within fifteen days.

Heat transmission fluids

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:30:00 +0000

Following with the thematic developed in our last blogs of year 2009 and to start correctly the present new year, we will speak now about the heat transmission fluids, being the most common:

Water
Steam
Smoke or stack gases
Glycerin
Thermal oil

WATER and STEAM. The water used in hot water boilers and steam ones (to produce this one) normally needs a previous treatment of decalcification, etc. to preserve the life of the boiler in which they are used, besides, sometimes, continuous purges of muds and foam that the process generates, which derives in energy losses. On the other hand, it usually is at the disposal of the users with facility and in abundance.

Basic characteristics: The water changes of state under atmospheric pressure at 100ºC, reason why if you wish to work with it over that temperature, you will have to increase the pressure, obtaining a product called High Pressure Hot Water.

Something similar it happens to the steam, with a result of the pressure-temperature saturation curve of steam (as example: 150ºC 5 bar a), obtaining in this case High Pressure Steam.

The design of the boilers can be PIROTUBULAR or ACQUATUBULAR, based on what is circulating through the tubes: if there are smokes or water.

In our next blog we will speak about the rest of heat transfer fluids.

Christmas time and Pirobloc

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0000

As you already know, in our old post about Christmas 2008, PIROBLOC made public the Christmas image with which we are more identified and we explained the reason why.

In Pirobloc and in very precise moments of the year, like the dates that they are coming, we try to apply some matter of the particular scope that allows us to celebrate Christmas at enterprise level.

For that reason, we have thought about what is what all we do not lose over the years and all we like. The answer is: the capacity to play. So this year, if we had to choose a game that motivates inspires us, perhaps it would be the Chess.

Of modern or classic design, it remembers to us that it is always important to have a strategy which sometimes we must adapt against that of the other team during the game, in a field or framework that can change at any time, but always following the rules of the game.

In any case, see you in the New Year, or, for other great cultures that read our blog, in January.

Happy end of December to everybody.

What is an electrical steam boiler?

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0000

In our post about Pirobloc electrical steam boilers on 2008 we already spoke about the renewed this type of boilers, whose basic characteristics resides in that the energetic source that we used for the steam production is the electricity.

The body of the boiler, in this case, is greater with respect to the dimensions of the resistance that it lodges because it has a double function: the central and inferior part where the electrical resistance lodges, it is plenty of water; and the top of the tank body becomes a chamber that contains the steam produced thanks to the heating.

Logically, whichever major is the body-tank of the boiler, the camera will be able to lodge major quantity of steam and/or of greater quality: the steam will be very drier as it has minor direct contact with the surface of the water, inside the body of the boiler.

In this type of boilers, the thermal power is given to us by the power of the used electrical resistances, being their efficiency of the 100% of the consumed energy.

In reference to the pump, it will be of water in this type of boilers, for the feeding of the boiler body from public-supply water, from a tank in which it has been treated or decalcified, and to make the steam production.

Finally and because it is a steam machine, we would like to remember to you that it will be necessary to locate this boiler specifically in a room placed at a certain distance of the general walk of people, advising you to follow the rest of indications of location and use with regard to this type of machines under pressure.

What is a electrical thermal oil boiler?

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Following our previous blog, in which we introduced the concept of thermal oil boiler of gas, diesel oil or heavy fuel oil, today we will explain to you what is an electrical thermal oil boiler.

The main difference between this one and that ones is the energetic source that we use to reach the thermal fluid required temperature: While in conventional boilers at natural gas, diesel or heavy fuel oil, we have a burner that injects or pulverizes fuels, in the electrical boilers, where a flame does not exist, the heat is provided by an electrical resistance.

The body of the boiler, in this case, is usually made up of a cylindrical shell, in the interior of which it is placed a resistance, united both by connection flanges which close the chamber that we will fill of oil.

Once the body of the boiler is filled of oil, you will simply turn on the control panel and so, the resistance will begin to warm up the thermal oil to the required temperature. In this type of boilers, the thermal power is given by the used electrical resistances power.

Another important and also external element to the body of the boiler, it is the pump of impulsion of the fluid that we are warming up. The pump also serves to maintain a constant movement of the fluid inside the coils of the furnace and in the circuit, as well as to send it warms up until each consuming machine.

This type of boilers has an efficiency of the 100% of the consumed energy, although it is certain that, generally, it is the most expensive energy in almost all the markets, and therefore, to the cost of purchase of the equipment will be necessary to add the consumption in electricity that you think that you will use, to calculate the investment to make.

This is the reason why generally, its election is normally due to the lack of other fuels in the area where it is or it is going to be placed; or to cover small powers requirements and/or to be used in facilities where the process heating needs are not continuous.

In our next blog, we will speak about our electrical steam heaters.

What is a thermal oil heater?

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:00:00 +0000

A heater is a recipient constituted basically by a furnace in which a heat transfer fluid is warmed up, from an energetic source that can be a liquid, gaseous, solid fuel or doughy like the glycerine, warm smokes or electricity.

They exist different designs from heaters, although the most common it usually uses conventional power sources as liquid or gaseous fuels and it consists of a furnace which lodges:

in its perimeter: coils (according to the design of each manufacturer they can be 1, 2 or 3 coils) through which flows a heat transfer fluid,
and in the centre, a flame produced by an external burner, source of heat transfer by convection.

In this type of heaters, the burner will be installed as a main and necessary source of heat to warm up the fluid that will contribute to heat to machines or external consumers. The burner will fix the thermal power of the heater, which will have to be designed to support it.

Another important and also external element to the body of the heater, it is the pump of impulsion of the fluid that we are warming up. The pump also serves to maintain a constant movement of the fluid inside the coils of the furnace and in the circuit, as well as to send it warms up until each consuming machine.

As far as the used fluid, this one has a double thermodynamic function: Its passage by the coil of the furnace contributes to the cooling of the coil, which yields its heat to the oil in return: A thermal exchange takes place. For that reason the preferred design for the thermal oil heaters is the aquotubular, that it assures a constant circulation, and not the pyrotubular one.

The thermal oil heaters, thanks to this fluid and to the fact that its heating it does not imply a change of phase, work at very low pressures being able however to reach normal service temperatures from 280 to 300ºC. Another important characteristic which defines them, it is the global high efficiency of the installation that usually oscillates between the 87 and 90%, based on the working temperatures.

In our next blog, we will speak about electrical thermal oil heaters.

Subvention for your installations maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 11:14:00 +0000

Commitment of PIROBLOC with the efficiency of the existing facilities and the power saving, we advise to our customers to carry out the preventive maintenance of their facilities. We put at their service the experience in the improvement of the efficiency of their electrical motors, burners combustion, etc…

We want to inform you that at the moment, the E.U. has started up a program to help the companies that wish to carry out investment in their facilities through the Trade Chambers of Europe. The Trade Chambers taking part in the program will supply to you the proceedings to access to such program.

The different Chambers of Commerce that have been integrated in the project, have already specialised technicians trained on the European project. For more information, please, check the following document about the CHANGE project.

In case of being interested in contracting the technical maintenance service of your thermal oil facilities, do not hesitate to put in contact with PIROBLOC.

Approaches to design a boiler

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:03:00 +0000

Traditionally the boilers used in all the industrial sectors were of steam.

When they begin to arise the boilers of thermal oil as alternative to the heating with steam in Spain, PIROBLOC was pioneer in this type of technology, not only using the imagination to create an own design, but also thinking of other important parameters, besides offering the vertical alternative to the existent horizontality in the market.

In the design of a boiler they are important the hydraulic and thermodynamic simulations of the same one, under certain conditions given “a priori”; the correct calculations of the chimneys in relation to the combustion chamber and the dimensions of the pipe of installation of the boiler, besides the exhaustive calculations of the pressure body and its curvature. On the other hand, a thermal correct insulation of the boiler body will avoid leaks of heat and it will contribute to a more efficient yield of the group, as well as to a saving of fuel.

Lastly, a correct selection of the materials of production will be essential to obtain a “brilliant product”.

New regulation of machines under pressure

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 10:30:00 +0000

The Regulation of machines under pressure has been modified by the R.D. 2060/2008 that was published in the BOE nº 31 of 05th/02/09 and which will enter in force the 05th/08/2009. With this modification, the E.U. try that every national regulations of machines under pressure of each country, they converge progressively in an unique European common regulation.

The contributed modifications are made in order to approach the Regulation of Installation of Equipments working under Pressure (used by the installers of equipment of these characteristics in Spain) to the European Directive 97-23-EC (used by the manufacturers of equipments of these characteristics, at European level), using similar concepts at which appear in the E.D. 97-23-EC .

It’s also pursued the uniformity to the values of the pressure tests, in reference to the differences that existed until this moment between both norms. They change the following categories:

• About the boilers: from type A, B and C, they convert into 1^st and 2^nd class, although the criteria to determine the category are similar.

• About the installer companies.

• About the titles and attributions.

• The periodicity of the inspections with or without pressure test.

• They exist now 3 levels of tests, existing before 2 types.

• The periods of application change.

• It appears the figure of the Agent, who will be the organism in charge to make the tests.

• They change the organisms which apply the test, with more participation of the OCA’s (Authorized Control Organism).

• It changes the design of the plates.

There will be changes in reference to equipment and securities, but in a less way.

Do not hesitate to consult us the projects that you have in mind and how the new regulation can affect to them.

Follow us! (II)

noreply@blogger.com (Nua) — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:00:00 +0000

In this second chapter on the different systems from pursuit of our articles, we will explain to you the RSS system. This is a quite innovating system that is working in the Internet world from several years.

RSS means Simple Really Sindication (simple syndication) and it is used to distribute up-to-date content to the subscribers. It can be used the navigator (the newest versions of the main navigators) like in the clients of electronic mail more modern or programs designed specifically to read these contents RSS.

In order to be able to syndicate by RSS in this blog, you only must click in the syndication button (please see next image) that it is located on the top at left side in the blog.

This action links with a webpage where we can make the syndication in the most important existing web addon (Netvibes, Google, MyYahoo,…) or in syndication applications (through the web direction shown in the navigator) like for example RSSOwl, Feedreader,… without forgetting e-mail clients like Thunderbird.

Without a doubt, it is a very comfortable and fast system that allows you to follow the content of the blog in an automatic way. But because in many cases, it is an unknown system, I leave hereunder some explanations and tutorials that can help you to understand and more learn to use the RSS:

We hope that the present article has been useful for you and you are able to follow us with greater facility and comfort using the RSS. In the following and last chapter of this series, we will explain to you the last system of pursuit, included in cloud 2.0.