Fire-tube boiler
A fire-tube boiler is a type of boiler in which hot gases from the fire pass through one or more tubes within the boiler. This type of boiler was used on virtually all steam locomotives. Since the entire boiler is under pressure, care must be taken to prevent structural failure. A boiler explosion, which is a type of BLEVE (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion), can be devastating.
Types of fire-tube boiler
- Cornish boiler has a single large flue containing the fire
- Lancashire boiler has two large flues containing the fires
- Locomotive boiler has a double-walled firebox and a large number of small flue-tubes, often also larger superheater tubes.