How does a steam generator work

[chad thomas]

Is the flame always burning or does it fire up as needed?

[ALCOC415]

A steam generator burns diesel fuel and it has a coil in which the water goes through. As the water moves through the coils fuel is injected through a center collum which heats the water and turns it into steam. I don't have any of my steam generator manuals in front of me so I can't tell you what the capacities are. The neat thing is that the fuel is ignited by a spark plug at the top of the boiler and all the ones I have seen have a little window to peak inside. I also know that they are very cantankerous to operate.
Dave

[chad thomas]

What heats the water in a steam generator? Is it done with electric heat elements like a water heater or is it an open flame or what? And what kind of capacity do they have?