Boilers can be divided into coal-fired boilers, gas-fired boilers, oil fired boilers, electric heating boilers, Thermal oil heaters，and biomass-fired boilers according to the fuel. Knowing the operating costs of various fuels can help users choose suitable boilers and reduce the operating costs of boilers, thereby increasing the economic benefits of enterprises. Operating cost is a factor that must be considered when selecting and purchasing boilers.
Here, we take an example to compare the operating costs of different fuel boilers. Suppose: Heating 50tons 10℃ water into 42℃.
1kg water needs about 1 Kcal to rise 1℃.
One kilogram of water needs 1 calorie to heat up. Because the feeding water of this calculation is 10℃, the temperature difference is 42℃-10℃ = 32℃ when it rises to 42℃. (Δ=32℃)
50 tons water =50,000 kg
Heat up 1 ℃ for 50tons water =50,000 X 1 Kcal=50,000 Kcal
Heating up to 32℃=50,000 Kcal X 32=1,600,000 Kcal
1. Coal Fired Boiler
The calorific value of standard coal for coal-fired boilers is about 5,000 Kcal/kg. The average coal price of each place is about USD 0.117/kg. So the operating cost is 1,600,000 Kcal÷5000 Kcal/kg x USD0.117 /kg= USD 37.44. The thermal efficiency of coal-fired boilers is generally about 80%. Therefore, the actual total operating cost is USD 37.44÷80% =USD 46.8
2.Biomass Fired Boiler
The calorific value of biomass pellets on the market is about 4000 Kcal/kg. The average biomass pellet price of each place is about USD 0.11/kg. So the operating cost is 1,600,000 kcal÷4000Kcalx USD 0.11/kg = USD 44. The thermal efficiency of biomass-fired boilers is generally about 80%. Therefore, the actual total operating cost is USD 44÷80% =USD 55
3.Gas Fired Boiler
The calorific value of natural gas is about 8600 Kcal/Nm3. The average price of natural gas in different places is about USD 0.22/Nm3. So the operating cost is 1,600,000 Kcal÷8600Kcal/Nm3xUSD 0.22/Nm3 = USD40.93. The thermal efficiency of biomass-fired boilers is generally about 90%. Therefore, the actual total operating cost is USD USD40.93÷90% =USD45.48
4.Oil Fired Boiler
The calorific value of diesel oil is about 9600 Kcal/kg. The present average price of diesel oil is about USD1.01/kg. So the operating cost is 1,600,000 Kcal÷9600Kcal/kg x USD1.01/kg = USD168.33. The thermal efficiency of oil-fired boilers is generally about 90%. Therefore, the actual total operating cost is USD168.33÷90% =USD 187
According to the above data, the operation cost for heating 50 tons of water from 10℃ to 42℃ is USD 46.8 for coal-fired boiler, USD 55 for biomass fired boiler, USD 45.48 for gas-fired boiler, and USD 187 for oil fired boiler.
