High Efficiency Burners by Retrofit - A Simple Inexpensive Way to Improve Combustion Efficiency

Abstract

Existing direct fired process heaters and steam boilers can have their efficiencies remarkably improved, and thus cut the fuel bill, by conversion from conventional type natural draft burners to high intensity, "forced draft" type burners. An available type that is "forced draft," but which does not require expenditure of energy for forced draft, will be discussed. Combustion Air is automatically controlled by the fuel flow - which fuel drives the "forced draft" fan to control airflow. Use of such type burners can, in many instances, increase efficiency to a point close enough to that obtainable by addition of air preheat until the difference in efficiency with air preheaters will not justify the high cost of air preheat systems. Low excess air and short, high intensity flame patterns assure reduction of stack temperature, thus increased efficiency. Conversion can be made "on-the-fly" without shutting down the fired heaters or boilers by insertion of an "installation package" of the burners into openings left after removal of conventional burners.