Machine Directive 2006/42/CE industrial boiler manufacturer

Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC for Boiler and Thermal Equipment Manufacturers | BOIXAC Technical guide › Industrial regulation Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC: Technical Guide for Boiler and Industrial Thermal Equipment Manufacturers Analysis of the essential health and safety requirements, conformity assessment and CE marking for OEM manufacturers integrating thermal components —economisers, heat exchangers, heat recovery units— into boilers and industrial machinery assemblies. BOIXAC Tech SLUpdated: 2026Reading time: ~8 min Note on the scope of this guide This page is intended for general information and reference purposes only. It does not constitute legal or engineering advice. The interpretation and application of Directive 2006/42/EC may vary depending on the specific product, the country of commercialisation and the individual circumstances of each manufacturer. BOIXAC Tech SL does not provide regulatory or legal advisory services and assumes no liability arising from the use of this information. For any conformity decision, consult an accredited notified body or a legal adviser specialised in product law. For OEM manufacturers of boilers, steam generators and industrial thermal equipment, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC is the legal framework that governs the conditions for placing products on the European market. Integrating third-party components —economisers, heat exchangers, heat recovery units— into a machinery assembly is not a minor technical detail: it determines the risk assessment scope, the technical documentation and the liability of the integrating manufacturer. 1. Scope: when does the Machinery Directive apply? Directive 2006/42/EC applies to machinery, defined as an assembly of linked parts or components, at least one of which moves, fitted with an appropriate actuating system. Industrial boilers with burners, automatic control systems and electrically or pneumatically actuated auxiliary components clearly fall within the scope of the directive. 🔥Industrial boilers with burnerAssemblies with automatic ignition, safety controls and actuated auxiliary components. ⚙️Industrial steam generatorsEquipment with automatic pressure, level and temperature regulation systems. 🏭Thermal machinery assembliesInstallations where several machines are assembled to perform a combined function. ⛔Passive components without moving partsHeat exchangers, economisers and recuperators without their own actuating system generally fall outside the direct scope. Intersection with PED Directive 2014/68/EU When a boiler integrates pressure-bearing components, two directives apply simultaneously: 2006/42/EC for mechanical and operational risks of the assembly, and PED 2014/68/EU for pressure-specific risks. The integrating manufacturer is responsible for managing both conformity frameworks. 2. Essential Health and Safety Requirements (EHSR) General safety principles (§1.1): Machinery must be designed so that, when used as intended, it does not endanger persons. Safety by design takes priority over protective devices and operating instructions. Materials and products (§1.3.2): Materials must be suitable for the working fluids, temperatures and pressures involved. The integrating manufacturer must verify that the materials of external components meet the requirements of the boiler’s working fluid. Surface temperature (§1.5.5): Accessible hot surfaces capable of causing burns must be insulated or guarded. Especially relevant for high-temperature economisers. Design pressure and temperature (§1.5.7): Machinery must withstand the anticipated loads with adequate safety margins, including maximum operating pressures of hydraulic and steam circuits. Control systems and emergency stop (§1.2): The boiler must be equipped with control systems enabling safe shutdown in the event of a failure, including integrated components. Instructions (§1.7.4): The instruction manual must include information on all integrated components, including maintenance instructions for third-party supplied components. 3. Conformity assessment: applicable procedures Procedure Notified body Application for boilers Resulting documentation Annex VIIISelf-assessment Optional Machinery not listed in Annex IV. Standard boilers where the manufacturer applies harmonised standards (e.g. EN 12952, EN 12953). Internal technical file + CE Declaration of Conformity Annex IXEC type-examination Mandatory Annex IV machinery or where harmonised standards are not applied. High-power boilers or non-standard configurations. EC type-examination certificate + Technical file + CE Declaration Annex XFull quality assurance Mandatory Alternative to Annex IX for manufacturers with a quality system approved by a notified body. Suitable for series OEM manufacturers. Approved quality system + CE Declaration Harmonised standards: the safest route to conformity Applying harmonised standards published in the OJEU confers a presumption of conformity with the corresponding EHSR. For fire-tube boilers, the reference standard is EN 12953. For water-tube boilers, EN 12952. For general machinery risk assessment and reduction, EN ISO 12100 is the central reference. 4. Integrating manufacturer liability for third-party components Integrating manufacturer liability — critical point If a third-party component does not meet the technical requirements needed for safe integration, liability for the non-conformity of the assembly rests with the integrating manufacturer, not with the component supplier. Supplier qualification diligence is a conformity requirement, not merely a commercial best practice. PED Declaration of Conformity (where the component exceeds Article 4 thresholds of Directive 2014/68/EU), indicating risk category and conformity assessment module applied. Technical datasheet with design parameters: PS (maximum allowable pressure), TS (maximum design temperature), DN, materials of construction, design fluid and use limitations. Installation and maintenance instructions in the official language of the country of commercialisation. Material traceability for components in contact with pressurised or high-temperature fluids. 5. CE Marking and Declaration of Conformity The CE marking is not a quality mark or an external approval certificate: it is the manufacturer’s declaration that the product meets all applicable legal requirements. CE marking is mandatory for placing on the European market (EEA). Its absence constitutes a legal violation. The technical file must remain accessible to market surveillance authorities for a minimum of 10 years from the date of manufacture of the last unit. The CE Declaration of Conformity must accompany each unit and be available in the official language of the destination country. 6. New Machinery Regulation 2023/1230/EU: the upcoming change Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 will replace Directive 2006/42/EC from 20 January 2027. The shift from directive to regulation means direct application without national transposition. Key changes introduced by Regulation 2023/1230 The most significant changes include: requirements for control systems incorporating artificial intelligence, new cybersecurity requirements for connected machinery, extended scope to partially completed machinery, and reinforced sustainability and ecodesign requirements. OEM manufacturers should begin reviewing their technical files well ahead of the January 2027 application date. Thermal components for industrial boilers — BOIXAC BOIXAC … Read more

Coil for temperature control in wine tank

COIL FOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN WINE TANK OPTIMIZATION OF TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN CULTIVATION TANKS One of the largest sparkling wine producers has implemented a temperature control system for 23 cultivation tanks with a total capacity of 142,000 liters, aiming to ensure optimal fermentation and maintain the quality of the final product. This project has focused on processes taking place in the so-called yeast farms, two rooms where fermentation occurs over five days at a strict temperature range of 18 to 20 ºC. Composition and process conditions The fluid present in the tanks consists of wine solution, tirage liqueur (a sugar-rich syrup), and yeast. This combination is essential for fermentation, as the yeast converts the sugars in the liqueur into alcohol and carbon dioxide, producing the characteristic foam of sparkling wine. Maintaining the fluid temperature within the specified range is crucial for ensuring controlled, high-quality fermentation. Heat exchanger system with internal coils To achieve this thermal control, heat exchanger coils have been introduced inside the tanks. These coils, made of AISI 316 stainless steel with electropolishing, provide excellent corrosion resistance and ensure maximum hygiene, two essential factors in sparkling wine production. The coils are certified under the MOCA (Materials in Contact with Food) standard, ensuring the materials used meet food safety requirements. CLAMP no need All system components have been custom-designed to perfectly fit the tanks’ characteristics and the client’s needs. A design eliminating the need for CLAMP connections was chosen, reducing the risk of leaks and simplifying system cleaning and maintenance. This tailored approach has also maximized heat exchange efficiency and optimized temperature control throughout the fermentation process. Wine tank heat exchanger coil benefits Implementing this system has provided numerous operational advantages: Thermal Stability: Maintaining a constant temperature within the specified range has been key to ensuring homogeneous, high-quality fermentation. Energy Efficiency: Electropolished stainless steel coils offer optimal thermal conductivity, reducing the energy consumption needed to maintain the proper temperature. Food Safety: Compliance with MOCA standards ensures the quality and safety of the final product. Reduced Maintenance: The absence of CLAMP connections simplifies maintenance and minimizes potential technical issues. BOIXAC, HEAT EXCHANGE SOLUTIONS This project is an excellent example of innovation applied to the wine industry, where precise control of fermentation conditions makes a significant difference in the quality of the sparkling wine produced. Implementing custom systems and high-quality materials ensures not only process improvement but also greater efficiency and sustainability throughout the production chain. Contact us Heat exchange solutions for the food and beverage industry Water coil Water coil that is often used to condition the environment of greenhouses and breeding farms, improving animal welfare. Energy economizer Energy economizer or heat recovery system that allows the reuse of excess energy, for example, from biomass boilers. Finned heat exchanger Finned tube heat exchanger, a temperature control system that optimizes durability even in environments with certain contamination factors.

Economizer for greenhouses

ECONOMIZER FOR GREENHOUSES GREENHOUSES AND FARMS An economizer for greenhouses or farms refers to the heat recovery system designed to improve efficiency in an environment where, among other things, crop performance is optimized by controlling temperature, ambient humidity, and CO₂. Within the wide range of implementations, we highlight three main areas: 1. The first block refers to water treatment for the hydroponic growth of tomatoes, lettuces, peppers, strawberries, etc. Hydroponic cultivation allows plants to grow faster and more vigorously thanks to direct access to nutrients. These nutrients are dissolved in a water flow that is distributed to the plants through channels. For proper nutrient absorption, it is important to maintain the water within certain temperature ranges, which is achieved thanks to our finned tubes. This heat exchange system can use spiral fins or continuous fins following the same direction as the tubes, maintaining a homogeneous temperature and optimizing both plant growth and quality. 2. The second block is air treatment through overhead ducts, where BOIXAC provides the finned heat exchangers that condition the air in the greenhouse or breeding farm. These exchangers can include various accessories such as fans, humidity controls, and temperature controls. 3. The third block refers to the technology that enriches the environment, thus increasing photosynthetic activity. We achieve this by reusing the excess energy from exhaust gases through the ECO, AIRY, or GASY heat recovery systems. These thermal exchange units are selected based on primary and secondary fluids; in addition, the materials are also chosen according to the specific needs of each installation. Custom solutions for energy optimization in greenhouses and farms. Heat recovery systems for greenhouses and farms Water coil Water coil that is often used to condition the environment of greenhouses and breeding farms, improving animal welfare. Energy economizer Energy economizer or heat recovery system that allows the reuse of excess energy, for example, from biomass boilers. Finned heat exchanger Finned tube heat exchanger, a temperature control system that optimizes durability even in environments with certain contamination factors.

Industrial economizer

Industrial economiser: operation, applications and selection criteria | BOIXAC Technical guide › Energy recovery Industrial economiser: operating principle, applications and selection criteria The economiser is the component that converts the residual heat from boiler exhaust gases into a measurable reduction in fuel consumption. This guide analyses its operation, constructive types, main industrial applications and the technical parameters that determine its selection. BOIXAC Tech SLGuia tècnica industrialLectura: ~9 min Table of contents 1. Definition and function of the industrial economiser 2. Operating principle in an industrial boiler 2.1 Energy flow and positioning 2.2 Heated fluids: water, steam and thermal oil 3. Constructive types of economisers 4. Quantified energy and economic benefits 5. Main industrial applications 6. Selection and design parameters In an industrial boiler, between 10% and 20% of the fuel energy burned is lost as sensible heat in the exhaust gases discharged to atmosphere. The economiser is the device that recovers this energy and transfers it to the boiler feedwater, reducing fuel consumption without modifying the main process. 1. Definition and function of the industrial economiser An industrial economiser is a gas-liquid heat exchanger installed at the outlet of combustion gases from an industrial boiler or furnace. Its function is to transfer the residual enthalpy of these gases to the boiler feedwater, preheating it before it enters the boiler body. The term economiser derives directly from its function: to save fuel. By preheating the feedwater, the energy the boiler must supply to reach the vaporisation or working temperature is reduced, translating directly into lower natural gas, diesel or biomass consumption. 10–20%Energy lost in flue gases without economiser3–8%Typical fuel consumption reduction~1%Saving per 6 °C feedwater temperature rise1–3 yearsTypical payback period 2. Operating principle in an industrial boiler 2.1 Energy flow and positioning In a conventional industrial boiler, gases leave the boiler at temperatures typically between 200 °C and 450 °C. The economiser is installed precisely at this point — at the boiler gas outlet and before the stack — to extract residual enthalpy from these gases and transfer it to the feedwater. Gas inlet200–450 °C→EconomiserGas → liquid heat transfer→Gas outlet120–200 °C↕Water inlet40–80 °C→Preheated water130–220 °C to boiler Lower limit: acid dew point temperature The gas temperature at economiser outlet cannot be reduced indefinitely. In sulphur-containing fuels (diesel, heavy fuel oil, some industrial gases), the minimum temperature is set by the acid dew point temperature (typically 120–150 °C), below which condensed sulphurous acid attacks the metal surfaces of the economiser. For clean natural gas, this limit falls to approximately 55–65 °C. 2.2 Heated fluids: water, steam and thermal oil Although the classic function of the economiser is feedwater preheating, in industrial environments the recovered heat can be transferred to other process fluids: Boiler feedwaterClassic application. Water is preheated from the 40–80 °C typical at deaerator outlet to 130–220 °C, reducing the energy the boiler must supply to generate steam.High-pressure superheated waterIn high-temperature circuits for industrial heating processes, the economiser preheats the high-pressure circuit return water.Thermal oilIn thermal fluid boilers (Therminol, Dowtherm, Marlotherm), the economiser preheats the circuit return oil, reducing consumption by 5–12%.Combustion air (APH)In air pre-heater configuration, exhaust gases heat the combustion air before the burner, improving combustion efficiency and reducing NOₓ emissions. Industrial boiler economiser. Gas-liquid heat exchanger with helical finned tubes, designed to operate in combustion flue gases with inlet temperatures of 250–420 °C. 3. Constructive types of economisers The internal construction of the economiser determines its behaviour against combustion gases and its suitability for each application. Main typeHelical finned tubes Each tube carries a sheet metal fin wound helically. The helical geometry provides greater mechanical robustness and resistance to vibrations induced by combustion gas pulsations. The pitch between turns can be adjusted to accommodate particle-laden gases (fly ash, soot). Preferred application: natural gas, diesel, heavy fuel oil, biomass and industrial waste boilers. Environments with suspended particles in the gases. Compact alternativeContinuous finned tubes Flat perforated sheets through which tubes pass perpendicularly. Allow a higher surface density per unit volume, resulting in more compact equipment for the same recovery duty. Require gases without significant particle content to prevent inter-fin blockage. Preferred application: natural gas boilers in clean environments or with prior gas filtration. Installations where dimensional constraints are critical. BOIXAC gas-liquid heat exchangersCustom-designed and manufactured heat recuperators and economisers for industrial boilers, furnaces and combustion processes. View heat recuperators → 4. Quantified energy and economic benefits Installing a correctly sized economiser in an industrial boiler produces measurable and verifiable improvements in the overall performance of the installation. ⚡Reduction in fuel consumption The standard industry rule of thumb states that for every 6 °C rise in feedwater temperature, boiler fuel consumption decreases by approximately 1%. An economiser that raises the temperature by 60 °C can represent savings of 8–10% of fuel costs. 🌿Reduction in CO₂ emissions Lower fuel consumption translates directly into fewer CO₂ and NOₓ emissions per unit of useful energy produced. In facilities subject to emissions trading (EU ETS), the economiser is one of the interventions with the best investment ratio per tonne of CO₂ saved. 🔩Reduced thermal stress on the boiler Preheated feedwater reduces thermal shock at the boiler inlet, decreasing temperature gradients across the shell and tubes. Contributes to extending boiler service life and reducing preventive maintenance frequency. 💶Typical payback of 1 to 3 years In continuously operated industrial boiler installations (>4,000 h/year), return on investment is typically achieved within 12 to 36 months, depending on fuel price, boiler output and the recoverable temperature differential. 5. Main industrial applications The industrial economiser finds application in any process where a boiler or furnace generates residual combustion gases at a temperature sufficient to make heat recovery economically viable. Food and beverage industrySteam boilers for cooking, sterilisation, pasteurisation and drying processes. The economiser preheats the boiler feedwater, reducing energy consumption in the production process.Chemical and pharmaceutical industryThermal fluid boilers for reactors, distillers and dryers. The economiser preheats the circuit return oil, improving cycle efficiency and reducing natural gas consumption.Paper and textile industryLarge steam boilers for continuous drying processes. … Read more