An accumulation of snow on the fireside of a boiler tubes does what?

An accumulation of snow or ice on the fireside of a boiler's tubes can lead to a decrease in boiler efficiency. This is primarily due to the fact that the layer of snow or ice acts as an insulating barrier. When the fireside is insulated, the heat from the combustion gases is not effectively transferred to the boiler water, which ultimately results in a reduction of heat transfer efficiency. Consequently, the boiler has to work harder to produce the same amount of steam, leading to increased fuel consumption and decreased overall efficiency.

In addition, this inefficient heat transfer can cause temperature fluctuations within the boiler, potentially leading to thermal stress and other operational issues. Hence, the presence of snow or ice in this critical area negatively impacts the performance of the boiler system.