1. Improve boiler efficiency (steam) Improve Your Boiler's Combustion Efficiency (PDF 237 KB) Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines (PDF 231 KB) Minimize Boiler Blowdown (PDF 214 KB) Return Condensate to the Boiler (PDF 237 KB) Upgrade Boilers with Energy-Efficient Burners (PDF 212 KB)

2. Reduce steam demand by changing process steam requirements (steam) Install an Automatic Blowdown Control System (PDF 212 KB) Minimize Boiler Blowdown (PDF 214 KB)

3. Improve insulation (steam) Install Removable Insulation on Valves and Fittings (PDF 217 KB) Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines (PDF 231 KB)

4. Reduce the oxygen content of flue (exhaust) gases (process heating) Check Burner Air to Fuel Ratios (PDF 240 KB) Improve Your Boiler's Combustion Efficiency (PDF 237 KB) Oxygen-Enriched Combustion (PDF 249 KB) Upgrade Boilers with Energy-Efficient Burners (PDF 212 KB)

5. Implement a steam trap maintenance program (steam) Inspect and Repair Steam Traps (PDF 185 KB)

6. Change condensate recovery rates (steam) Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines (PDF 231 KB) Return Condensate to the Boiler (PDF 237 KB)

7. Modify the feedwater heat recovery exchanger using boiler blowdown (steam) Install An Automatic Blowdown Control System (PDF 212 KB) Recover Heat from Boiler Blowdown (PDF 216 KB)

8. Properly insulate and maintain furnace structure or parts (process heating) Check Heat Transfer Surfaces (PDF 331 KB) Reduce Air Infiltration in Furnaces (PDF 237 KB) Reduce Radiation Losses from Heating Equipment (PDF 277 KB)

9. Add or modify operation of backpressure steam turbine (steam) Consider Installing High-Pressure Boilers with Backpressure Turbine-Generators (PDF 265 KB) Replace Pressure-Reducing Valves with Backpressure Turbogenerators (PDF 240 KB)

10. Implement a steam leak maintenance program (steam) Install Removable Insulation on Valves and Fittings (PDF 217 KB) Insulate Steam Distribution and Condensate Return Lines (PDF 231 KB)

Additional Resources

For more information about how to improve your plant's process heating or steam system efficiency, please see the following ITP resources.

Improving process heating system efficiency:

• More process heating tip sheets
• Improving Process Heating System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry (PDF 1.2 MB) Download Adobe Reader.
• More technical handbooks, guides, and technical briefs on process heating
• Process Heating Assessment and Survey Tool (software)
• Process heating assessment training

Improving steam system efficiency:

• More steam system tip sheets
• Improving Steam System Performance: A Sourcebook for Industry (PDF 1.26 MB) Download Adobe Reader.
• More technical handbooks, guides, and technical briefs on steam systems
• Suite of Steam System Assessment Tools (software)
• Steam system assessment training

Read More Energy Matters Articles on These Topics

• Energy Cost Management
• Energy Efficiency
• Plant Assessments
• Process Heating
• Software
• Steam Systems
• Training