This Diploma in Marine Boilers is a free online course that begins by introducing you to the application of high-pressure boilers to run the main propulsion turbines of ships. Although this system is on the decline because of newer combined-cycle plants that harness the flexibility of diesel and steam plants, the use of auxiliary and exhaust gas boilers remain an established practice on board diesel-powered propulsion plants. The course will introduce you to steam theory, the components and properties of fluids, the combination of the important modes of heat transfer, as well as the technical terms that are used in connection with steam generation. It will outline the steam engine thermodynamic cycles, the advantages of the steam plant and the role of steam in power generation. The principle of steam generation, the features of boiler design, classification of boiler types and the popular boilermakers will also be covered in this course.

The material then explains how a marine boiler is optimized for producing steam, as well as how it can be used for main and auxiliary functions like running steam and cargo pump-turbines, oil heating, crew accommodation heating and turbo generation. You will study fire and water tubes, composite boiler types such as the low-pressure boiler as well as how all boilers have a furnace or combustion chamber where fuel is burnt to release energy. The course will teach you the process where the air is supplied to the boiler furnace to enable the combustion of fuel to take place, as well as how the water fed into the boiler can be used to produce steam. It highlights the other important aspect of heat recovery from the diesel engine exhausts, which is the exhaust gas boiler or economizer, as well as how these can be both fire or water tube types and how they contribute significantly to overall plant efficiency. As you work through this marine boilers course, you will analyze the differences between the subcritical and supercritical power plants, types of once-through boilers and the characteristics of D-type boilers. The function of various components in a boiler and boiler mountings, along with mastering the characteristics of the main steam stop and feed check valves is then discussed. Learn all about the feed regulatory system that can be used in steam boilers of a low-pressure system, as well as how to monitor the movement of the float. The examples of a float control application, the element of water level control in high-pressure systems, as well as the importance of the safety and relief valves, will be demonstrated. 

This course on the mechanics of marine boilers will help improve your knowledge of the vital maintenance of the safety valves, including the procedure to set a safety valve of improved high-lift type, as well as the operation of the soot blowers and you should enrol if you are a marine engineering student, professional boilermaker or interested in this crucial part of shipping mechanics.