In industries where steam demand is continuous and fuel flexibility is a priority, travelling grate boilers have emerged as one of the most reliable and efficient combustion systems. Especially effective for biomass and high-ash fuels, travelling grate boilers are widely used across sectors like sugar, rice, textiles, distilleries, waste-to-energy, and paper.
At Cheema Boilers Limited (CBL), our advanced travelling grate boiler designs offer robust performance, high combustion efficiency, and long operational life, making them a trusted choice for industries across India and abroad. Let’s take a closer look at how these boilers work, what makes them unique, and why they’re increasingly preferred for process and power applications.
What is a Travelling Grate Boiler?
A travelling grate boiler is a type of solid fuel-fired boiler where combustion occurs over a moving metal grate that continuously feeds fuel into the furnace. As fuel is introduced at one end of the grate, it travels slowly to the opposite end while being burned in stages. The grate itself moves at a controlled speed, allowing complete combustion of the fuel by the time it exits the furnace as ash.
The key benefit of this design is its ability to handle a wide range of solid fuels, including agro-residues like rice husk, bagasse, wood chips, sawdust, and even industrial waste-derived fuels (RDF). Its automated fuel handling, mechanical ash removal, and air distribution systems ensure stable combustion and consistent steam generation under varying loads.
How Does a Travelling Grate Boiler Work?
The combustion process in a travelling grate boiler is typically divided into four stages: drying, devolatilization, combustion, and burnout. When fuel is fed onto the grate, it first undergoes drying as it moves forward. Next, the volatile components are released and ignited. This is followed by the combustion of fixed carbon, and finally, the remaining ash is cooled and discharged at the end of the grate.
Air is supplied from beneath the grate through multiple compartments, allowing precise control over the combustion zones. This staged air flow ensures that fuel burns efficiently with minimal unburned carbon and helps control emissions. Additionally, secondary air is often injected above the fuel bed to promote complete combustion and reduce CO and NOx levels.
CBL’s travelling grate boilers are designed with membrane-type water walls, four-stage steam separation, and advanced combustion control systems to ensure efficient heat transfer, high steam purity, and long-term performance stability.
Key Advantages of Travelling Grate Boilers
One of the biggest strengths of travelling grate boilers is fuel flexibility. Unlike pulverized fuel or oil-fired systems that require specific grades or types of fuel, travelling grate boilers can efficiently burn a wide variety of fuels—including those with high ash or moisture content. This makes them ideal for agricultural and industrial sectors where biomass is abundant and cost-effective.
Another major advantage is continuous and stable operation. The mechanical movement of the grate and automated ash removal reduce manual intervention, allowing 24/7 operation with consistent performance. This is especially important in industries where steam supply must be uninterrupted.
Travelling grate boilers also offer excellent thermal efficiency, often enhanced with economizers and air preheaters. These heat recovery systems capture residual energy from the flue gas and transfer it back into the system, reducing fuel consumption and lowering operating costs.
Low maintenance requirements and long operational life are also hallmarks of CBL’s designs. With rugged construction, wear-resistant grates, and modular construction for easy access and repair, these boilers minimize downtime and reduce the total cost of ownership.
Applications Across Industries
Travelling grate boilers are particularly well-suited for industries that generate or rely on biomass and agro-waste. In sugar mills, they can efficiently burn bagasse to generate process steam and power. Rice mills use them to burn husk for captive energy. Distilleries benefit from the ability to burn wet biomass and slop-based fuel in hybrid configurations.
In waste-to-energy plants, CBL’s travelling grate boilers can be adapted to burn RDF or industrial waste, converting it into usable energy while reducing landfill pressure. Pulp & paper, textile, and food processing industries also use these systems to meet high steam demand with stable output and environmental compliance.
Cheema Boilers: Leaders in Grate Boiler Technology
With decades of experience and a portfolio of over 3,000 installations worldwide, Cheema Boilers Limited is a pioneer in high-efficiency, solid fuel boiler systems. Our travelling grate bi-drum boilers are built for durability, fuel flexibility, and optimized performance across demanding industrial environments.
CBL’s in-house capabilities—from design and fabrication to erection and commissioning—ensure seamless project execution and reliable after-sales service. Whether you’re looking for a new boiler installation or upgrading an existing system for better fuel efficiency, our team is ready to deliver a solution tailored to your needs.
Conclusion: A Smart, Sustainable Choice
Travelling grate boilers offer a powerful combination of performance, reliability, and sustainability—especially in biomass-rich industries. Their ability to burn varied fuels, coupled with automated operation and high thermal efficiency, makes them a smart investment for steam-intensive industries aiming to reduce costs and emissions.
If you’re considering upgrading your plant with a biomass-ready, robust steam system, Cheema Boilers Limited has the engineering expertise and technology to power your future—efficiently and sustainably.