Which boiler will withstand the greatest working pressure?

The 30-inch diameter boiler is likely to withstand the greatest working pressure due to its smaller diameter, which generally allows for a thicker wall design necessary to meet higher pressure requirements. As the diameter increases, the pressure that a boiler can safely handle decreases unless specifically designed to manage those pressures.

For cylindrical vessels like boilers, the working pressure is influenced by factors such as the material strength, the thickness of the walls, and the geometry of the design. A smaller diameter often translates to a more favorable stress distribution, enabling the structure to endure higher pressures safely.

In contrast, a larger diameter boiler, such as the 60-inch variant, would require proportionally thicker walls to account for the increased stress from the working pressure. This can result in design limitations and increased weight that may not necessarily allow it to withstand higher pressures compared to a smaller diameter boiler.

Understanding the relationship between diameter and pressure capacity is key in stationary engineering and highlights the importance of design specifications in creating safe and efficient boiler systems.