A steam boiler is described as a water-containing vessel that transfers heat from a fuel source into steam. It can be used in many industries for a range of applications including steam cleaning, mud transfer, effluent and chemical heating, as well as to run process equipment.

Rand-Air has recently invested in two 3 t (3000 kg) steam boilers that it has added to its fleet of rental equipment. The full rental package consists of a steam boiler housed in a standard 20 ft container and a feed water tank inside a separate 10 ft container. 

Rand-Air fleet manager Craig Swart explains that the company appointed a special project team to customise the two steam boilers, which included the creation of strategic entry points to facilitate easy access to critical parts of the equipment. The enhancements are aimed at improving productivity and increase the safety of employees during set up, operation, service and maintenance.

The customised steam boilers are fitted with a 440 V, 3 phase, 60 Hz, 32 A power supply, an eight-hour operation stainless steel fuel cell and a lockable boiler control panel with external access. Safety features include an external visual and audible alarm, a certified spark arrestor and an integral carbon dioxide extinguishing system. The steam boilers conform to required international regulations including EC Directive (CE marking), HSE and BS EN ISO 9001:2000

“We have ‘rentalised’ the containerised steam boilers to be a plug-and-play solution, with easy transportation and on-site placement,” says Swart, adding that steam boilers are a new market segment for Rand-Air and the company has collaborated with specialist supplier partners to carry out highly technical procedures, such as chemical dosing, that are required to ensure that the water purity in the feed tank is of a high quality.

Swart also revealed that the company plans to add a further two 3 t and two 8 t steam boilers to its offering in the near future.