For those seeking to buy their first flat panel  TV display device, it is easy to be confused with conflicting and counter claims by different interest parties. So what is truth in competition between LCD and Plasma TV? Here's are some pointers before you rush out and buy your flat panel TV on impulse . Just consider and keep them in mind when choosing.

Actually, both types of technologies have their pros and cons. Let's start with various factors.

Picture Quality

Plasma TVs have better contrast ratios and show better blacks than an LCD TV. That means in a dark scene, you are able to see images more clearly defined. This is because in LCD technology, liquid crystals are unable to shut off all light completely due to presence of backlight resulting in light leakage and therefore it is impossible to get absolute black.

I understand plasma TVs are able to produce  better color saturation than LCD TVs. Generally, native resolution of LCD TVs are higher than that of plasma TVs so you may get greater details when watching your  programs especially in high definition video sources. 

Screen Size

If you looking for a really big screen, then you have to go for plasma TV as they are available in sizes up to 60 inches. LCD TV on hand come in maximum sizes of up to 40 inches. If you compare prices on both technologies for same screen size, you will also realise LCD TVs are more expensive.

Life span

While steam consumption, leakages, and other heat transmission losses can contribute to overall energy bill, this article focuses on heart of steam generator - boiler.

Controlling boiler is of utmost importance in any steam generation energy saving program. Below are some ways to improve boiler efficiencies:

1. Reducing excess air 2. Installing economizer 3. Reducing scale and deposits 4. Reducing blow down 5. Recovering waste heat from blow down 6. Stopping dynamic operation 7. Reducing boiler pressure 8. Operating at peak efficiency 9. Preheating combustion air 10.Switching from steam to air atomization 11.Switching to lower cost fuel

Reducing Excess Air

By far most common reason for energy inefficiencies in a boiler can be attributed to use of excess air during combustion at burners. When there is more air than is required for combustion, extra air becomes heated up and is finally discharged out to atmosphere. However, there are reasons for putting in some extra air for combustion - to compensate for imperfect burner fuel-air mixing conditions, air density changes, control system "slop", burner maintenance, fuel composition and viscosity variation, and imperfect atomizing steam or air controls for burners.

Adjusting fuel-air ratio for combustion can be quite tricky. If fuel is too much as compared to air, incomplete combustion occurs. This will give rise to carbon soot deposits inside combustion chamber or even over boiler tubes.

The consequences of having soot deposits over heat transfer surfaces and potential of having explosive flue gases inside boiler are much worst than losing a slight amount of energy through exhaust stack. Therefore, many boiler operators choose to adjust their burners to be slightly on excess air.

Installing Economizer

This is only appropriate if there are insufficient heat transfer surfaces in boiler. The economizer tubes may contain either circulating boiler water or circulating feed water. Because temperature of exhaust gases can be quite high, economizer tubes may be fitted with safety valves to avoid over-pressure damage. Also temperature control of feed water is required to prevent pump airlock. To avoid corrosion, careful design is needed to ensure that exhaust flue gas temperature does not drop below dew point.

Reducing Scale and Deposits

For any boiler operation, this is a must. The safety of boiler is at stake. Any scale or deposits will lead to reduced heat transfer that will eventually lead to overheating, reduction of mechanical strength of steel and finally to bursting.

This should already be in normal daily procedure of boiler operation.

Reducing Blow down