What is the purpose of a boiler's economizer?

The purpose of a boiler's economizer is to recover waste heat from flue gases and use it to preheat the feedwater entering the boiler. This process enhances overall system efficiency by utilizing energy that would otherwise be lost to the environment. By preheating the feedwater, less energy is needed to convert it into steam, leading to reduced fuel consumption and improved efficiency in steam production.

When the economizer heats the feedwater, it also lowers the amount of fuel required to achieve the necessary water temperature for effective steam generation. This not only conserves resources but also minimizes greenhouse gas emissions associated with combustion processes. Integration of an economizer thus plays a critical role in optimizing the operational efficiency of a boiler system.