Basic boiler mountings and their function List of boiler mountings and function of each.

Safety valve- protects the shell or drum from bursting against excessive steam pressure by allowing excessive steam pressure to escape.

Main steam stop valve allows steam to leave the boiler to go into the main steam line, and from there, to the main steam turbine or engine.

Auxiliary steam stop valve- allows steam to leave the boiler to go into the auxiliary steam line, and from there, to the auxiliary steam machinery and equipments. Water column- provides a stilling space for the boiler water so that its water level will not be greatly affected by pitching and rolling of the ship. Water inside the water column is cooler than that in the boiler shell or drum. Thus, no actual boiling takes place in the column and the water level is more easily detected.

Gauge glass attached to the shell or drum of the water column, to the drum or to the shell and indicates the level of the water inside the boiler.

Try cock- attached to the shell or drum of the water column, and are used to prove the reading indicated by the gauge glass.

Surface blow rate allows light impurities such as oil or grease to be blown off from the surface of the water inside the boiler.

Bottom blow valve- allows sediments to be blown off from the bottom of the boiler shell or drum. It also allows a rapid reduction of the water level or a partial emptying of the boiler.

Salinometer cock allows a sample of the water to be drawn off the boiler so that the density of water maybe measured.

Main feed water stop valve permits or prevent entrance of the feed water to the boiler from the main feed water line.

Auxiliary feed water stop valve has the same function as the main feed water stop valve. It is fitted to the auxiliary feed water system.

Main feed water check valve regulates the flow of the water into the boiler from the main feed line and prevents water in the boiler from backing up in the main feed line in the event of failure of the main feed water pumps or runs out of feed water.

Auxiliary feed water check valve has the same function as the main feed water check valve, but, it is fitted in the auxiliary feed water line between the auxiliary feed stop valve and the auxiliary feed water pump.

Air vent allows air to be released from the boiler prior to cutting in boiler on the line, and, also, to break the vacuum when the boiler is being emptied or when changing water into the cooled boiler for operation.

Whistle valve supplies steam for the ships whistle.

Pressure gauge indicates pressure being carried in the boiler.

Belly or Drain plug allows water to be drained into the bilges.

Additional mountings on boiler plants: Automatic feed water regulator fitted in the feed line prior to the main feed water check valve. This device is essential to ensure correct water level in the boiler during all loads conditions. Water tube boilers with high evaporation rate will use multiple element feed water control system.

Low level alarm system a device to provide audible warning of low water level conditions.

Super heater circulating valves acting also s vents. These fittings ensure a flow of steam when initially warming through and raising steam in the boiler.

Soot blowers operated by steam or compressor air. They act blow away soot and other products of combustion that sticks to the tube surfaces. Several are placed in strategic plates. If sootblower lance are inserted, soot is blown and the lance is withdrawn.