If you’re not sure what a boiler is, think of it as a large furnace. Inside it is a box that burns fuel to heat up water to generate steam. Power plants often generate steam in boilers to power the turbines that create electricity. Cogeneration, which is found at some schools, is the process of capturing and reusing this steam after it has been used to produce electricity.
Boilers come in a variety of ages and type (i.e., those that burn coal, oil and/or natural gas). Sometimes natural gas is the primary fuel source, and sometimes it is the backup fuel. Another important characteristic of boilers is their rated heat input capacity. Size is also a factor, as larger boilers have the potential to create more pollution than smaller ones.
To see how this information pertains to your campus power plant, proceed with this section of the tour. You’ll also learn more about environmental laws, regulations and best practices associated with operating boilers in a power plant.