Where are turbulators primarily used?

Turbulators are primarily used in the fire tubes of boilers to enhance heat transfer efficiency. Their main function is to promote turbulence in the flow of flue gases within the tubes, which increases the surface area contact between the gases and the tube walls. This improved turbulence allows for more effective heat exchange, leading to higher thermal efficiency in the boiler system. By breaking boundary layers on tube surfaces, turbulators assist in reducing the temperature of the flue gases more effectively, ultimately contributing to better performance and energy savings.

In contrast, other options—such as air intakes of furnaces, exhaust stacks, and water pipes—do not specifically benefit from the application of turbulators in the same way. Air intakes and exhaust systems are designed primarily for airflow rather than heat exchange enhancements, while water pipes focus on fluid dynamics that differ from the heating processes involved in boiler fire tubes.