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Indiana University Studies 



tenance, repairs, and interest charges. (3) Any changes made for improve- 

 ment must pay for themselves in a comparatively short time, including all 

 charges for installation and delays. Of coursje, all the above conditions can- 

 not be realized, but they at least offer an ideal to be aimed at. If the sugges- 

 tions above were followed there would be fewer high-priced equipments, 

 giving poor satisfaction, and fewer complaints about the high cost of power 

 production. 



The selection of the boiler equipment for a steam power- 

 plant is a matter which should be given the most careful con- 

 sideration and attention. While some purchasers take the time 

 to go carefully over the factors which enter into the make-up 

 of a good boiler, the majority are inclined to accept as satisfactory 

 those boilers with which they have had some experience. There 

 are many owners who buy the boiler which is cheapest in cost, 

 after little or no investigation, taking for granted the representa- 

 tions of the salesman. Many purchasers of the latter class 

 often consider carefully the comparative economy and reliability 

 of engines and their auxiliaries while at the same time their 

 boilers may be extremely wasteful in operation and deficient 

 in the essentials of simplicity, economy, and adaptability to the 

 service for which they were intended. High-grade engines add 

 materially to the first cost of a plant, while high-grade boilers 

 cost but little more than those of the poorer sorts. Careful 

 boiler selection results in a far greater saving than can possibly 

 be obtained by installing more efficient engines with poor boiler 

 equipment. 



The special requirements of each individual case should be 

 carefully studied before determining the general type of boiler 

 to be used. After this has been determined, the most important 

 features to be considered are safety, efficiency, durability, and 

 accessibility of parts. Of almost equal importance are the skill, 

 experience, reputation, and financial standing of the company 

 putting out the boiler. 



The life of a boiler depends upon the attention it receives and 

 the conditions under which it operates. In figuring the cost of 

 power one of the largest items to be considered is the depreciation 

 or the rate of decrease in value of a piece of machinery on account 

 of age and wear. If thru careful handling the life of a piece of 

 machinery can be materially lengthened, the accompanying cost of 

 power will be reduced in proportion. 



Few power users realize the great fuel economy possible with 

 proper boiler equipment. They spend their time and money 



