Boiler Draught Systems — Mechanical vs Natural Draught State whether the following is true: “Mechanical draught systems (fans or blowers) can produce a higher draught than natural (chimney) draught.”

Introduction / Context:
Draught supplies the air required for combustion and removes flue gases. Two broad approaches exist: natural draught using chimney buoyancy and mechanical draught using fans. Knowing their relative capability is vital for modern high-capacity boilers.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Natural draught arises from density difference between hot flue gas in the stack and cooler ambient air.
• Mechanical draught is produced by forced-, induced-, or balanced-draught fans.
• Comparable furnace/boiler geometries are assumed.

Concept / Approach:
Natural draught is limited by stack height and attainable temperature difference; the pressure head is relatively small. Mechanical draught systems employ rotating machinery to generate significantly higher and controllable pressure differences, enabling higher firing rates, better excess-air control, and operation independent of tall chimneys.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Natural head Δp_nat ≈ g * H * (rho_ambient − rho_gas).Mechanical draught head Δp_mech is set by fan total pressure rise and can be made substantially larger within fan limits.Therefore, mechanical draught can and does produce greater draught than natural systems.

Verification / Alternative check:
Large utility and industrial boilers universally use ID/FD/PA fans; chimney heights are sized for dispersion compliance rather than to supply draught, confirming the superiority of mechanical systems for pressure head.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• False: denies widely established practice.
• Sea level or fuel-type qualifiers: Mechanical draught advantage is independent of altitude or fuel type, though sizing changes.

Common Pitfalls:
Equating chimney height with unlimited draught; in reality, structural and thermal limits cap natural draught far below what fans can deliver.

Final Answer:
True