Economizer Header

About Economizer Header

Economizer headers are pressure-containing components used in boiler economizer systems to distribute and collect feedwater flowing through the economizer tubes. They serve as connecting chambers between the main feedwater piping and multiple economizer tubes, ensuring uniform water distribution and efficient heat recovery from flue gases.

Construction

• Header body: Typically manufactured from carbon steel or alloy steel, selected according to design pressure and temperature.

• Tube connections: Openings or stub connections are provided for connecting economizer tubes.

• Nozzles: Used for feedwater inlet, outlet, venting, and draining, as required by the design.

• End closures: Welded caps or other approved closures are used to seal the header ends.

• Fabrication: Includes cutting, drilling, welding, machining, and inspection according to applicable codes and specifications.

Working Principle

Feedwater enters the inlet header and is distributed into the economizer tubes. As hot flue gases pass over the tubes, heat is transferred to the feedwater, raising its temperature before it enters the boiler drum or downstream boiler circuit. The heated water is then collected in the outlet header and directed to the next stage of the system.

Applications

• Industrial and utility boilers

• Thermal power plants

• Waste-heat recovery boilers

• Process heating systems

• Biomass-fired and coal-fired boiler installations

Advantages

• Ensures effective feedwater distribution and collection

• Supports efficient heat recovery from exhaust gases

• Provides reliable connections between economizer tubes and piping

• Helps improve overall boiler efficiency

• Designed to withstand specified operating pressure and temperature

In simple terms: Economizer headers are heavy-duty metal chambers that distribute feedwater to economizer tubes and collect the heated water before it enters the boiler system.