Do header type boilers have a water drum?

Header type boilers do not have a water drum because they are designed differently than a traditional boiler setup. In header type boilers, the water and steam are contained within the headers themselves, which serve as distribution points for water and steam to/from the tubes where the heating takes place. This design eliminates the need for a separate water drum, as the headers perform the essential function of distributing water and collecting steam directly.

The absence of a water drum in header type boilers allows for more efficient and compact designs, as the headers can directly connect the steam-generating tubes without the need for an additional large volume of water storage that a drum would provide. This characteristic makes header type boilers particularly suited for applications where space is a constraint and quick response to load changes is important.

Understanding this fundamental design aspect clarifies why header type boilers do not utilize a water drum, which is a critical element in other boiler types designed for different operational requirements.