What kind of fuel conversion is necessary for a combustion process in a boiler?

The combustion process in a boiler primarily involves the conversion of chemical energy into thermal energy. In this process, the fuel, which contains stored chemical energy, reacts with oxygen in the air through combustion. This exothermic reaction produces heat, which raises the temperature of water in the boiler, generating steam or hot water for heating or power generation.

Understanding this conversion is crucial; the efficiency of a boiler largely depends on how well it facilitates this transformation of energy. The heat generated can then be utilized for various applications, such as heating buildings or driving turbines for electricity generation.

The other options, while they describe different types of energy conversions, do not accurately reflect the primary process taking place in a boiler during combustion. Thus, the focus on the chemical-to-thermal conversion showcases the fundamental principles of how boilers operate and the underlying mechanics of energy transformation in combustion systems.