The global shift toward sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective energy solutions has increased the demand for advanced industrial boiler technologies. Among them, the Travelling Grate Boiler stands out as one of the most efficient and fuel-flexible combustion systems for solid fuels. Known for its ability to burn a wide range of biomass and mixed fuels, the travelling grate system has become the backbone of numerous industries such as textiles, food processing, paper manufacturing, power generation, distilleries, and chemical plants.
In India, Cheema Boilers Limited (CBL), Mohali, has earned a respected position as a leading manufacturer of advanced travelling grate boilers, offering high performance, low maintenance, and superior combustion technology. This blog explores everything industries need to know about travelling grate systems—how they work, why they are preferred, and what makes CBL’s solutions industry-leading.
What Is a Travelling Grate Boiler?
A travelling grate boiler is a type of industrial steam boiler that uses a moving grate mechanism for continuous combustion of solid fuels. Unlike fixed-grate or stationary boiler systems, a travelling grate offers continuous fuel feeding, automatic ash removal, and stable combustion, even with fuels of varying sizes and moisture content.
Key Characteristics
Continuous moving grate for automatic fuel handling
Ability to burn low-grade fuels
Stable steam generation
High thermal efficiency
Low operational costs
Travelling grate technology is engineered especially for industries requiring reliable, round-the-clock steam output with fuel flexibility—something that Cheema Boilers has mastered with decades of expertise.
How a Travelling Grate Boiler Works
Understanding its working mechanism helps industries evaluate why this system outperforms traditional combustion technologies.
Fuel Feeding
Fuel—such as coal, biomass, rice husk, wood chips, petcoke, or briquettes—is fed into the furnace through an automated fuel-feeding system. The travelling grate mechanism distributes the fuel evenly across the grate surface.
Combustion on a Moving Grate
The grate moves slowly, carrying the fuel forward while allowing it to burn uniformly. As the grate moves:
Fresh fuel enters the combustion zone
Partially burned fuel continues burning
Ash moves toward the discharge end
This ensures complete combustion and stable heat output.
Air Supply Management
Primary and secondary air systems ensure optimal oxygen supply. Travelling grate boilers are well-known for their precise air control, which leads to:
Better combustion
Reduced emissions
Higher fuel efficiency
Heat Transfer & Steam Generation
As combustion occurs, heat is transferred to water inside boiler tubes. This produces steam for industrial processes or electricity generation.
Ash Removal
Ash automatically falls into hoppers at the end of the grate, reducing manual cleaning and lowering downtime.
Types of Fuels Used in Travelling Grate Boilers
One of the most significant advantages of travelling grate systems is their fuel versatility. They support both high and low-calorific fuels, including:
Biomass Fuels
Rice husk
Sawdust
Wood chips
Bagasse
Mustard husk
Corn cobs
Solid Fossil Fuels
Coal
Lignite
Petcoke
Briquetted fuels
Industry Waste Fuels
Paper waste
Agro-waste
Furniture factory residues
This flexibility makes travelling grate boilers a cost-saving solution for industries using locally available fuels.
Why Travelling Grate Technology Is Industry-Preferred
Travelling grate boilers have widespread industrial demand due to a combination of performance, safety, and cost benefits.
1. Superior Fuel Flexibility
Unlike many boiler systems requiring well-defined fuel sizes, the travelling grate design burns:
high-moisture fuels
low-calorific fuels
mixed fuels
This flexibility dramatically reduces operational costs.
2. High Thermal Efficiency
Cheema Boilers’ travelling grate systems achieve substantial thermal efficiency due to:
Optimized air control
Improved combustion environment
High-grade refractory materials
Enhanced heat transfer surfaces
3. Low Emission Technology
With growing environmental regulations, industries need green solutions. Travelling grate boilers from CBL are designed to deliver:
Low NOx emissions
Reduced SOx output
Lower particulate levels
This makes them suitable for eco-compliance standards.
4. Continuous Operation
Industries requiring uninterrupted production depend on systems with:
Continuous fuel feeding
Auto-ash management
Consistent steam levels
The travelling grate design fulfills all these requirements.
5. Long Equipment Life
CBL’s robust structural design ensures:
High resistance to corrosion
Superior durability
Low wear-and-tear
Longer operational lifetime
Why Cheema Boilers (Mohali) Leads in Travelling Grate Technology
Cheema Boilers has emerged as one of India’s top manufacturers of travelling grate boilers due to its innovation, engineering quality, and customer-centric approach.
1. Proven Industry Expertise
With years of boiler manufacturing experience, CBL understands the combustion requirements of different industries. Their travelling grate systems integrate advanced engineering with practical industrial insights.
2. Custom-Built Boilers for Each Industry
Every industry has unique needs—fuel availability, steam demand, space constraints, emission requirements, and operational hours. Cheema Boilers designs travelling grate systems that are customized to the customer’s application.
3. High-Efficiency Combustion Technology
CBL uses modern design elements like:
Optimized furnace geometry
Air preheaters
Efficient economizers
Modern grate control mechanisms
This translates to better fuel savings, lower operational costs, and higher plant productivity.
4. Strong After-Sales Support
Industrial boilers require long-term service reliability. CBL offers:
AMC (Annual Maintenance Contracts)
On-site support
Upgradation services
Training for operators
This ensures plants run smoothly with minimal downtime.
5. Committed to Sustainability
Cheema Boilers promotes the adoption of biomass fuels to support India’s renewable energy goals. Their travelling grate boilers help industries shift toward cleaner, greener energy solutions.
Unique Advantages of Cheema Boilers’ Travelling Grate Systems
Improved Combustion Efficiency
Better control over fuel distribution ensures higher efficiency.
Low Maintenance Requirements
The moving grate design reduces clinker formation and overheating.
Automated Controls
Advanced automation systems allow easy monitoring of:
Grate speed
Airflows
Furnace temperature
Fuel feeding
Compatibility with Multiple Industrial Segments
CBL boilers are widely used by:
Food industry
Paper mills
Pharma companies
Distilleries
Textiles
Chemical plants
Dairy processing units
Better ROI & Fuel Cost Savings
Over its lifetime, a travelling grate boiler from CBL returns significantly higher value due to reduced fuel costs and higher efficiency.
Industries That Benefit the Most from Travelling Grate Boilers
1. Agro & Food Processing
Burns agricultural waste effectively, reducing fuel costs.
2. Paper & Pulp Manufacturing
Requires stable steam pressure—something travelling grate excels at.
3. Textiles
Ensures constant heat for dyeing, printing, and processing.
4. Distilleries & Breweries
Provides reliable steam for fermentation and distillation.
5. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Plants
Offers controlled and safe steam generation.
6. Power Generation
Used in biomass-based power plants for clean energy.
Maintenance Tips for Travelling Grate Boilers
To ensure longevity and performance, industries should follow these maintenance practices:
Daily Inspection
Check:
Fuel feed systems
Ash discharge mechanisms
Temperature levels
Weekly Cleaning
Remove soot from heat transfer surfaces.
Grate Condition Check
Inspect grate bars for wear and tear.Airflow Calibration
Maintain uniform primary and secondary air distribution.
Tube Cleaning
Clean boiler tubes to prevent heat transfer blockage.
Professional Servicing
Partner with Cheema Boilers for periodic maintenance and safety audits.
Why Travelling Grate Boilers Are Future-Ready
As industries shift toward:
low-emission equipment
biomass fuels
energy-efficient systems
Travelling grate boilers are becoming the future of industrial steam generation. Their ability to operate on mixed fuels makes them ideal for industries aiming to cut fuel costs while adopting eco-friendly practices.
Cheema Boilers continues to push innovation in this space, ensuring businesses in Mohali, Punjab, and across the world get access to modern, efficient, and durable boiler technology.
Common Operational Challenges in Travelling Grate Boilers & How to Solve Them
Even though travelling grate boilers are highly dependable, some operational challenges may arise if the system is not designed or maintained properly. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:
Uneven Fuel Distribution
Challenge:
Fuel sometimes piles on one area of the grate, causing hot spots and incomplete combustion.
Solution:
Cheema Boilers designs auto-fuel spreaders that evenly distribute fuel across the grate, maintaining uniform combustion.
High Fuel Moisture Content
Challenge:
Wet biomass fuels reduce burning efficiency and steam output.
Solution:
CBL integrates pre-combustion drying zones and optimized grate speed control, ensuring better burning even with high-moisture fuels.
Clinker Formation
Challenge:
Sticky ash materials form clinkers, blocking airflow.
Solution:
Cheema Boilers uses:
High-chromium alloy grates
Optimized primary air design
Grate movement sequences
This reduces clinker formation by up to 40%.
Inconsistent Steam Output
Challenge:
Caused by irregular fuel feeding or poor air–fuel control.
Solution:
CBL installs:
Fully automated combustion controls
Real-time oxygen monitoring
Smooth grate drive mechanisms
This ensures continuous, stable steam production.
Environmental Advantages of Travelling Grate Boilers
Modern industries prioritize sustainability. Travelling grate boilers provide multiple environmental benefits:
✔ Reduced Fossil Fuel Dependence
They burn biomass and agro-waste, reducing coal consumption and lowering carbon footprints.
✔ Lower Emissions
CBL boilers include:
Multicyclones
ESP (Electrostatic Precipitators)
Bag filters
These reduce PM emissions significantly.
✔ Renewable Fuel Utilization
Industries can use:
Paddy husk
Bagasse
Wood chips
Coconut shells
This aligns with India’s renewable energy vision.
✔ Support for Carbon Trading
Industries using renewable fuels through travelling grate systems may qualify for carbon credits.
Travelling Grate vs AFBC vs CFBC Boilers — A Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Travelling Grate | AFBC | CFBC |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Biomass & mixed fuels | Coal & bio-mass blends | Low-grade coal, petcoke |
| Fuel Flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Maintenance | Low | Medium | High |
| Capacities | Small to large | Medium to large | Large |
| Combustion Efficiency | High | High | Very High |
| Cost | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
| Ash Handling | Simple | Moderate | Complex |
Why companies still choose Travelling Grate:
Lower CAPEX
Easier to operate
Handles wide fuel range
Perfect for Indian agro-waste fuels
Real-World Industries Using Travelling Grate Boilers
Travelling grate technology is used across major industrial sectors in India:
Food & Beverage Processing
Steam required for:
Drying
Cleaning
Blanching
Sterilizing
Biomass fuels significantly reduce steam costs.
Paper & Pulp Mills
Travelling grate boilers handle high-moisture bark and wood-chip waste from paper mills.
Pharmaceuticals
Industries require stable steam and safe operation—CBL’s systems provide both.
Textiles
Steam needed for washing, dyeing, and finishing.
Using low-cost biomass fuels helps reduce operational costs.
Chemical Processing
Consistent heat and reliability make travelling grate systems ideal for chemical plants.
Hotels & Hospitals
Travelling grate boilers provide:
Hot water
Sterilization steam
HVAC heating
with clean and efficient fuel options.
What Makes Cheema Boilers’ Travelling Grate Technology Stand Out?
Cheema Boilers Limited has a strong reputation for engineering excellence.
Heavy-Duty Grate Construction
Made using heat-resistant stainless steel alloys, these grates last longer and withstand high temperatures.
Smart Combustion Control Systems
CBL’s automated system adjusts:
Grate speed
Primary & secondary air
Fuel feed rate
to ensure maximum efficiency.
Low Maintenance, High Reliability
The boilers are built to operate continuously with minimal downtime.
High Thermal Efficiency
Thanks to:
Proper heat recovery
Optimized furnace design
Efficient heat exchanger surfaces
Industries achieve 10–20% more efficiency than outdated systems.
Customization for Every Industry
Whether it’s agro-based industries or heavy manufacturing, CBL provides tailor-made solutions.
Conclusion
Travelling grate boilers are among the most reliable and efficient solid-fuel combustion systems available today. Their flexibility, durability, and ability to process a wide range of fuels make them indispensable across multiple industries. With its proven engineering excellence, Cheema Boilers Limited, Mohali, has become a trusted manufacturer delivering high-performance travelling grate systems designed for real-world industrial needs.
If your industry requires consistent steam, lower fuel costs, and long-term operational reliability, a travelling grate boiler from Cheema Boilers is a worthwhile investment.