Industrial steam boilers play essential roles in the rubber manufacturing process by supplying the needed heat and steam in processing. Rubber is crucial for several products such as tires which need superior quality rubber to avoid early wearing out. Rubber comes from a natural source which is called latex that is collected from plants or it can be manufactured through the polymerization process.

Some of these include the rubber manufacturing process which requires steam boilers.

The rubber manufacturing process involves four key stages:

• Compounding: Treating rubber with chemicals to alter the rubber characteristics and appearance to meet the required product standards such as carbon to increase rubber strength.
• Mixing: Dividing the process of mixing additives into two steps to prevent the effect of early vulcanization since rubber is highly viscous.
• Shaping: Manufacturing rubber by processes such as calendering, casting, coating, or extrusion.
• Vulcanization: Using steam at about 200°C to vulcanize the rubber and the process needs clean boilers to avoid adding contaminants.

Selecting the Appropriate Steam Boiler

For rubber manufacturing, the ideal boiler should:

• Adapt to Fluctuating Demand: Adapt to different steam demands depending on production.
• Be Energy Efficient: To meet the steam demand with low fuel consumption.
• Reduce Emissions: Greenhouse gasses must be reduced for environmental sustainability.