Page 14 - Boiler_Operators_Handbook,_Second_Edition

Introduction

This book is written for the boiler operator, an out, and one of the best ways of knowing it is to get
operating engineer or stationary engineer by title, who into it. The operator should be able to do the work or
has knowledge and experience with operating boilers supervise it. Only by knowing what it’s like inside can
but would like to know more and be able to operate his the operator make sound judgments when operating
plant wisely. It is also simple enough to help a begin- situations become critical.
ning operator learn the tricks of the trade by reading the As for keeping an eye on the plant, that phrase
book instead of learning the old-fashioned way (through is nothing more than a saying. If you are a manager,
experience) some of which can be very disagreeable. The reading this book because operators report to you, you
book can also be used by the manager or superintendent should know this—the experienced operator keeps an
who wants a reference to understand what his opera- ear on the plant. The most accurate, precise, sensitive
tors are talking about. It’s only fair, however, to warn a instrument in a boiler plant is the operator’s ear. The
reader of this book that it assumes a certain amount of operator knows something is amiss long before any
experience and knowledge already exists. alarm goes off because he can hear any subtle change in
The day I mailed the contract for this book to the the sound of the plant. He can be up in the fidley, and
publisher I sat across a table from a boiler operator who notice that a pump on the plant’s lower level just shut
said, “Why hasn’t somebody written a book for boiler down. Hearing isn’t the only sense that’s more acute in
operators that isn’t written for engineers?” I’ve tried to an operator, he “feels” the plant as well. Sounds, actu-
do it with this book, no high powered math and minimal ally all sound is vibrations, that aren’t in the normal
technical jargon. range of hearing are sensed either by the ear, the cheek,
There are two basic types of operators, those that or through the feet. Certainly an operator shouldn’t be
put in their eight hours on shift while doing as little as inside a boiler turbining tubes, while he’s operating the
possible and those that are proud of their profession plant but there are many maintenance activities he can
and do their best to keep their plant in top shape and perform while on duty. Managers with a sense of the
running order. You must be one of the latter and you skill of their operators will use them on overtime and
should take pride in that alone. off-shift to perform most of the regular maintenance.
There is a standard argument that operators oper- Chapter 1, “Operating Wisely,” is the guiding out-
ate; they don’t perform maintenance duties or repair line for an operator that wants to do just that. The rest
anything because they have to keep their eye on the of the book is reference and informational material that
plant. That’s hogwash. As an engineer with more than either explains a concept of operation or maintenance in
forty-five years experience in operating and maintaining greater detail, or offers definitions.
boiler plants, I know an operator can’t allow someone I hope this book gives you everything you need to
else to maintain and repair his equipment. It’s impera- operate wisely. If it doesn’t, call me at 410-679-6419 or
tive that the operator know his equipment, inside and e-mail KHeselton@cs.com.

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