The objectives of steam-raising plant are straightforward: to release the energy in the input fuel as efficiently as possible, to transfer that energy to water to generate steam, and to separate the steam from the water for use in processes requiring heat energy, explains Fulton’s UK Sales & Export manager, Dave Dolan.
He says: “The suitability of hybridisation with gas and electric energy sources depends largely on the equipment’s design and operational characteristics, particularly in differentiating between steam boilers and steam generators. Healthcare estates require reliable and efficient steam systems to support a wide range of critical applications, including sterilisation, heating, and humidification. Given the sector’s focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, and uninterrupted operation, hybrid gas/electric systems offer an innovative solution for meeting these demands. However, the suitability of hybridisation is heavily dependent on the type of steam raising equipment used.”
Fulton says shell-type steam boilers, such as its VSRT, are particularly well-suited to hybridisation with both gas and electric energy sources; it will launch its VSRT-E hybrid steam boiler in 2025. The company explained: “These boilers also provide clear advantages for healthcare estates, being constructed as pressure vessels with a large water content, which allows them to store significant amounts of steam energy. This capability is essential in healthcare environments, where steam demand can fluctuate significantly throughout the day.”
In a hybrid configuration, the boiler can utilise gas burners to handle periods of peak demand, ensuring rapid and efficient steam delivery. During off-peak hours, or when sustainability is a priority, electric heating elements can be used to maintain steam pressure and supply. This dual-energy approach not only reportedly enhances energy efficiency, but is also said to offer flexibility in responding to changing energy costs or environmental goals, ‘emphasised when comparing the environmental impact of a hydrogen blend-ready and electric boiler against a conventional gas and oil dual-fuel option’.
Fulton explained: “The large water reserve in shell boilers also ensures a consistent steam supply, even when transitioning between gas and electric operation. For healthcare facilities, where interruptions in steam delivery can disrupt critical processes such as sterilisation, this reliability is a significant advantage. The boilers’ ability to handle varying steam loads further supports their application in healthcare estates, where usage patterns can vary depending on operational requirements.”
In contrast, Fulton says, steam generators are not suitable for hybrid gas/electric configurations due to their design and operational characteristics. It explains: “Steam generators rely on a continuous flow of water through tightly wound steel coils, and contain minimal water volume. This low water content means they cannot store steam energy, making them unable to provide steam when the burner is not active. For healthcare settings, where reliability and responsiveness are paramount, this limitation is a critical drawback.
“Additionally, steam generators are designed for real-time operation, which limits their ability to adapt to fluctuating steam loads. The introduction of dual heating sources, such as gas and electric, would introduce complexities that could compromise the stability and quality of the steam output. Given the need for consistent and high-quality steam in healthcare processes, these challenges render steam generators unsuitable for hybridisation.”
Fulton says that, for healthcare estates, hybrid gas/electric steam boilers provide ‘a reliable, flexible, and energy-efficient solution to meet the sector’s demanding requirements’. It adds: “Their large water content and ability to store and release steam make them particularly well-suited to environments with variable steam demands, such as hospitals. By leveraging the strengths of hybrid boiler systems, healthcare facilities can achieve their goals of operational efficiency, sustainability, and uninterrupted service delivery.
