In some fire-tube boilers, the tubes run vertically, as opposed to the horizontal arrangement in the Scotch boiler. The VERTICAL-TUBE boiler sits in an upright position, as shown in figure 1-3. Therefore, the products of combustion (gases) make a single pass, traveling straight up through the tubes and out the stack. The vertical fire-tube boiler is similar to the horizontal fire-tube boiler in that it is a portable, self-contained unit requiring a minimum of floor space. Handholds are also provided for cleaning and repairing. Though self-supporting in its setting (no brickwork or foundation being necessary), it MUST be level. The vertical fire-tube boiler has the same disadvantages as that of the horizontal-tube design—limited capacity and furnace volume.
Before selecting a vertical fire-tube boiler, you must know how much overhead space is in the building where it will be used. Since this boiler sits in an upright position, a room with a high ceiling is necessary for its installation.
The blowdown pipe of the vertical tire-tube boiler is attached to the lowest part of the water leg. and the feedwater inlet opens through the top of the shell. The boiler fusible plug is installed either (1) in the bottom tube sheet or crown sheet or (2) on the outside row of tubes, one third of the height of the tube from the bottom.
