What is the purpose of the economizer in a boiler system?

The economizer in a boiler system is primarily designed to recover waste heat from the flue gases that are produced during the combustion process. By capturing this heat, the economizer can preheat the feedwater before it enters the boiler. This preheating process improves the overall efficiency of the boiler system, as it utilizes energy that would otherwise be lost to the environment, reducing the amount of fuel needed to achieve the desired steam output.

This enhancement not only optimizes fuel consumption but also helps in lowering operational costs and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. While cooling flue gases, increasing steam pressure, or measuring fuel consumption might be relevant aspects of boiler operation, they do not capture the central function of the economizer, which is efficiently recovering and utilizing waste heat.