What is the purpose of economizers in boiler systems?

Economizers are crucial components in boiler systems primarily designed to recover waste heat from flue gases. This process plays a significant role in enhancing the overall efficiency of the boiler. By capturing the residual heat that would otherwise be lost to the atmosphere, economizers preheat the feedwater entering the boiler. This not only lowers the energy required to reach the desired steam temperature and pressure but also contributes to reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

The recovery of waste heat is essential because it allows for a more effective use of the energy contained in the fuel, ensuring that the system operates at a higher thermal efficiency. This reduction in energy costs is particularly important in industrial applications where heating demands are high and operational costs need to be minimized.

In contrast, increasing boiler size, reducing feedwater temperature, or enhancing fuel quality do not align with the core function of economizers, which is specifically focused on heat recovery and efficiency improvement.