I have seen that most small boilers (below 100 ton/h of steam) are "bottom supported" design, while bigger boilers are "top supported".
I am trying to understand which variables impose the use of the more expensive top supported design, even in places without seismic loads.
I appreciate if...
Some tube leaking near to the drum caused damage to the drum shell (lower drum).
The boiler rate is 100ton/h @ 24bar (220462 lbs/hr @ 348psi).
The nominal drum thickness is 31.7mm (1 1/4") and the minimum thickness at the damaged area is around 6mm (1/4") !!
What should be the recomended...