Thermal Boiler Technologies for Reliable Operation » Babcock & Wilcox

Thermal Technologies

Smart energy for longevity.

Clean energy is efficient energy. B&W has been traveling a clear path to cleaner energy for over 150 years. In 1867, Stephen Wilcox said, "there must be a better way" to safely and efficiently generate power — and that's exactly what we’ve been doing since George Babcock joined Mr. Wilcox

Improving efficiencies contributes dramatically to safer, smarter and more reliable operations.

We never stop working to be the premier trusted provider of the world's most efficient steam generation equipment, aftermarket parts, construction, maintenance and field services for power generation and industrial applications.

From the initial patent in 1856 for the world's first inherently safe water-tube boiler to diverse technologies using the latest advanced steam cycles, our robust thermal energy solutions deliver reliability, availability and long-term operation.

We wrote the book on steam. Literally. Our vast experience includes:

B&W is the original equipment manufacturer of all Diamond Power® boiler cleaning equipment, sootblowers, systems and replacement parts.

Our Diamond Power boiler cleaning systems are available in steam/air, high pressure water, and dual-media air heater cleaning configurations. With more than a century of experience in boiler cleaning, you can depend on low maintenance, reliability, versatility and maximum cleaning performance backed by experience.

To keep your steam generation and auxiliary equipment operating at peak efficiency and to take advantage of the latest technologies, B&W provides a wide range of component and steam system upgrades and replacement parts. We also employ some of the brightest and responsive customer service representatives and field service engineers who are available to respond to the most demanding challenges.

Through our Allen-Sherman-Hoff® (A-S-H®) ash handling product line, B&W is a leading global supplier and manufacturer of customized material handling solutions. Combining the strengths, history and experience of these two great industry names, our extensive knowledge of the physical and chemical properties of various material combinations has made us an integral supplier of customized solutions. We offer bottom ash systems and components in both wet and dry configurations and a variety of pneumatic transport systems and related components for fly ash handling.

Efficient and reliable fuel processing, delivery and combustion systems are essential to continued boiler operation. B&W's pulverizers, burners and other combustion equipment are designed and manufactured for high availability, reliability and low maintenance.

Have you ever repaired a boiler tube leak and put the unit back into service, only to be forced offline by another leak? Identifying and correcting the root cause of tube failures is essential to help lessen the chance of future problems. A comprehensive assessment is the most effective method of determining the root cause of a failure.

In the hydrocarbon processing industry, the operation of a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCCU), depending on its arrangement, produces gases rich in carbon monoxide (CO). To reclaim the energy in these gases, the FCCU can be designed to include a CO boiler to generate steam. This article provides an overview of CO boiler design criteria, firing requirements and operation.

Optimizing boiler and steam system efficiency is more important than ever. Although a boiler's efficiency is primarily a result of its design, an operator can maintain or significantly improve efficiency by effectively managing various techniques and key functions. Read Part 1 of this two-part series, which discusses operating techniques.

Success Stories

Apr 4, 2023

A Future with Hydrogen—Opportunities and Challenges of Hydrogen Combustion for Decarbonization

Hydrogen—the highly volatile gas is the buzzword of the decade and rightfully so. The combustion of hydrogen yields zero carbon emissions, making it a viable, desirable clean energy solution option....

Nov 17, 2022

Babcock & Wilcox Awarded $24 Million Contract for Package Boilers and Environmental Equipment for North American Petroleum Refinery

Babcock & Wilcox announced today that its B&W Thermal and B&W Environmental business segments have been awarded a contract for more than $24 million to supply two industrial package boilers, auxiliary equipment and advanced emissions control technologies for a petroleum refinery in North America.

Nov 14, 2022

Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co. LLC Awarded $42 Million in Large North American Upgrade Projects

Babcock & Wilcox announced today that its Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co., LLC (BWCC) subsidiary was awarded more than $42 million in significant upgrade and maintenance projects within the electrical utility, pulp & paper, and oil & gas segments in North America.

May 26, 2022

Babcock & Wilcox North American Parts and Services Business Sees Growing Demand with Contracts Totaling More Than $23 Million in April

Babcock & Wilcox announced today it has booked more than $23 million in orders for parts and services for utility and industrial customers in North America in the month of April, as overall demand for these services has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

May 18, 2022

Babcock & Wilcox Awarded Installation Services Contract

Babcock & Wilcox announced today that Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co., LLC (BWCC) has been awarded a contract for approximately $68 million to provide construction and installation services for a power plant maintenance project in North America.

Feb 2, 2022

Babcock & Wilcox Acquires FPS

Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. announced that it has acquired Fossil Power Systems, Inc. ("FPS"), a leading designer and manufacturer of hydrogen, natural gas and renewable pulp and paper combustion equipment including ignitors, plant controls and safety systems based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Jan 27, 2022

B&W Thermal Awarded $6 Million Contract to Provide Advanced Technology for Gas Conversion of Middle East Chemical Plant

Babcock & Wilcox announced today that its B&W Thermal segment has been awarded a contract for more than $6 million to provide advanced technologies to convert a Middle East chemical plant's six boilers from oil to cleaner, lower-emission fuel.

Jan 11, 2022

B&W Thermal Awarded Equipment Installation Contracts with Large U.S. Utility Totaling More Than $18 Million

Babcock & Wilcox announced today that its B&W Thermal segment has been awarded contracts totaling more than $18 million to install equipment to improve the operating efficiency, performance, and increase availability for two power plants for a large U.S. utility. B&W's subsidiary, Babcock & Wilcox Construction Co., LLC (BWCC), will install waterwall panels, reheater tubes, and other technologies.