In the rapidly evolving industrial landscape, energy efficiency, operational reliability, and fuel flexibility have become non-negotiable requirements. Industries are under constant pressure to reduce fuel costs, improve thermal performance, and meet increasingly strict environmental regulations. In this context, Travelling Grate Boilers have emerged as one of the most efficient and robust technologies for solid fuel combustion.
At the forefront of this domain is Cheema Boilers Limited (CBL) — a company renowned for engineering excellence, innovation, and an in-depth understanding of process heating across multiple industries. CBL’s Travelling Grate Boilers represent the culmination of decades of research, on-site performance insights, and customer-focused design.
This article explores how Cheema Boilers’ Travelling Grate technology delivers high performance, fuel flexibility, and long-term value for industrial operations around the world.
Understanding Travelling Grate Boiler Technology
A Travelling Grate Boiler is a type of solid fuel-fired boiler that uses a mechanically moving grate system for continuous fuel combustion. Fuel is fed at one end of the grate and travels slowly through the furnace as it burns. By the time it reaches the end, it is fully combusted, and the residual ash is automatically discharged.
This design allows for staged combustion, better fuel-air mixing, and efficient heat transfer. It also minimizes manual intervention and reduces unburned residues, ensuring maximum fuel utilization.
Core Components and Functions:
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Fuel Feeding System: Automatic feeding system that ensures even distribution of fuel on the grate.
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Travelling Grate Mechanism: Chain-linked or reciprocating grates that slowly move the burning fuel bed across the furnace.
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Combustion Air System: Forced draft and over-fire air systems enable complete combustion across drying, combustion, and burnout zones.
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Ash Handling: Mechanical ash extraction at the end of the grate ensures continuous removal of residues.
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Heat Recovery Section: Water walls, superheaters, economizers, and air preheaters optimize heat extraction.
Why Travelling Grate Boilers Are Preferred in Industry
1. Fuel Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of Cheema’s Travelling Grate Boilers is their ability to handle a wide variety of solid fuels, including:
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Coal (Indian and imported)
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Biomass (rice husk, bagasse, wood chips, palm kernel shells)
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Lignite
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Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF)
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Industrial or agro-waste blends
This flexibility allows industries to use the most cost-effective and locally available fuel sources while ensuring consistent steam generation. With rising fluctuations in coal pricing and a growing push toward biomass and waste-derived fuels, this adaptability becomes a strategic advantage.
2. High Combustion Efficiency
CBL’s Travelling Grate Boilers are designed to maximize fuel burn rate and thermal efficiency through:
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Zoned combustion chambers (drying, combustion, burnout)
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Pre-heated combustion air systems
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Optimized fuel bed thickness and residence time
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Controlled grate speed and air-fuel ratio adjustments
These features ensure efficient combustion with minimal unburned carbon, translating into lower fuel consumption and operational cost savings.
3. Continuous and Stable Operation
Unlike batch-type boilers that require frequent manual fuel feeding and ash removal, CBL’s Travelling Grate Boilers operate continuously. The moving grate ensures that fresh fuel is consistently fed into the system while ash is removed simultaneously. This provides:
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Consistent steam output
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Minimal manual intervention
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Stable flame temperature and pressure
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Reduced risk of clinker formation and grate choking
4. Environmentally Compliant Design
CBL’s boilers are engineered to meet and exceed local and international emission norms. These systems can be equipped with:
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Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs)
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Bag filters
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Multicyclone dust collectors
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Low NOx combustion technologies
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Secondary air systems to minimize CO emissions
Combined with high combustion efficiency, these systems help clients maintain environmental compliance and reduce their carbon footprint.
CBL’s Engineering Excellence in Travelling Grate Boiler Design
Cheema Boilers integrates several decades of thermal engineering expertise into the design and manufacturing of its Travelling Grate Boilers. Each boiler is customized based on application, fuel type, capacity requirement, and site conditions.
Key Design Features:
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Precision Grate Manufacturing: Grates are cast from high-temperature-resistant alloy, providing long service life even under harsh fuel conditions.
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Modular Furnace Design: The combustion chamber is designed using advanced 3D modeling tools and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to ensure uniform temperature and efficient heat transfer.
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Intelligent Air Distribution: Controlled air zones under the grate provide exact quantities of primary and secondary air to enhance combustion and reduce excess air losses.
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Scalable Capacities: Available in a wide range of steam generation capacities (from 5 TPH to 200+ TPH) to serve applications from small process plants to large captive power plants.
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Automation and Controls: Fully integrated PLC/SCADA-based automation enables real-time monitoring, safety interlocks, automatic soot blowing, and remote diagnostics.
Typical Industrial Applications
Travelling Grate Boilers by Cheema Boilers Limited are suitable for a wide range of industries, including but not limited to:
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Pulp and Paper: Steam for pulping, drying, and co-generation
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Textile: Dyeing, calendaring, steaming, and heating applications
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Food Processing: Cooking, sterilization, drying, and dehydration
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Chemical and Pharmaceutical: Process heating, distillation, and cleaning
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Sugar Industry: Bagasse-based steam generation for milling and power
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Power Generation: Captive and co-generation plants using biomass or coal
CBL’s capability to tailor boiler designs for specific fuel types and process requirements gives it an edge across such varied sectors.
Installation, Commissioning, and Lifecycle Support
Cheema Boilers Limited provides complete turnkey solutions, from project planning to post-installation support. This includes:
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Site-specific engineering and layout optimization
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Civil and structural design support
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On-site installation and trial runs
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Operator training and safety workshops
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Annual maintenance contracts (AMCs)
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Remote performance tracking using IoT-based systems
CBL’s dedicated service team ensures maximum uptime and operational efficiency throughout the lifecycle of the equipment.
Commitment to Quality, Safety, and Compliance
Every Travelling Grate Boiler manufactured by CBL goes through a rigorous quality assurance process. The company is certified under:
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ISO 9001: Quality Management System
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ISO 14001: Environmental Management
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ISO 45001: Occupational Health & Safety
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ASME U, S, H stamps for pressure vessel design and fabrication
All boilers are IBR approved and undergo comprehensive hydrostatic, radiographic, and performance testing before dispatch. Safety features such as flame scanners, pressure relief valves, and emergency shutdown systems are integrated into the design to ensure safe operation under all conditions.
Final Thoughts
In an environment where industries are required to balance productivity, cost efficiency, and sustainability, Travelling Grate Boilers from Cheema Boilers Limited offer a time-tested and future-ready solution. With unparalleled fuel flexibility, robust engineering, automated controls, and environmental compliance, these systems are ideal for industries looking for dependable and scalable steam generation.
Cheema Boilers brings more than just boiler systems to the table — it brings a partnership focused on delivering performance, reliability, and long-term value.
Looking to enhance your plant’s energy efficiency and reliability with a Travelling Grate Boiler system?
Reach out to Cheema Boilers Limited for customized solutions built to meet the energy demands of your process — today and tomorrow.