Development and Optimization of an Android-Based Bagasse-Fired Steam Boiler Simulator: A User Feedback Approach

In the sugar industry, the steam boiler has some different features as compared to other industrial steam boilers. It consumes bagasse as fuel, which is obtained simultaneously from the crushing of sugar cane, and the properties of bagasse, like moisture and sugar content, have variations. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain the smooth operation of a steam boiler. An operator training simulator is required to enhance boiler operational knowledge and skills for trainees and students who study boiler as a subject. In this research, bagasse fired steam boiler simulator application was tested for its usability by surveying twenty students employing a convenient sampling approach. Data were collected on a structured questionnaire, and respondents were asked to rate their responses on a scale of 1-5. Results indicated that the average rating across all parameters was 4.4 out of 5, indicating high satisfaction with the BFSB-Sim. Moreover, the average rating across all parameters was 4.6 out of 5, demonstrating that students found the BFSB-Sim highly effective in skill enhancement, practical applicability, ease of use, and safety. These findings suggest that the simulator is a valuable educational tool, successfully bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical experience in boiler operations within the sugar industry.