A question for GLENN STANTON

jim_110

Glenn with all due respect I ask this question to you because you are the loudest voice on this site on the manufacturing side and with the introduction of the Mega three pass, Burnham is showing it's continuing commitment towards increasing efficiencies in boiler design.
If you can, please explain to me the economic and or technical hurdles that discourages Burnham from offering a two stage firing option on it's residential boilers similar to the two stage option you offer on the commercial side? Thanks Jim

Unknown

Jim

Thanks for your very thought provoking question regarding the likelyhood or unlikelyhood of 2-stage burners on residential oil-fired boilers. I will discuss this with our Engineering Dept. later this week but here are my thoughts and opinions on this matter. Bear in mind that these are my thoughts and opinions only.

I would have to say that part of the difficulties involve the set parameters needed to provide for proper combustion byproducts and more importantly, proper flue gas temperatures necessary to avoid the condensation issues that exist with various types of chimneys in various types of installations, old and new. You can bet that in the case of a steam replacement boiler that chimney is pretty much always old, big and more than unlikely unlined. That's why chimney liners are so important.

The second factor regarding this is the availablity of smaller sizes of oil burners with two-stage firing in our marketplace. The third contributing factor would probably involve the possibility of a very premium price tag for the boiler if equipped with a two-stage burner versus everything else out there in the marketplace. Would the consumer be willing to bear the increased price tag that this type of technology would bear? What are your feelings?

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Technical Development

Burnham Hydronics

U.S. Boiler Co., Inc.

jim_110

2- stage firing

Glenn thanks you for the reply. Let me respond first by stating that I was interested in the gas side of this question given the present availably of 2-stage valves.Also I would like to see it offered as a "OPTION".As you well know ,no two steam systems are alike.Most need some degree of massaging on new installs to optimize performance. I think the TRADE, and I mean those who incorporate combustion analyst /edr calcs and overall system maintenance into their installs,would welcome the "OPTION" of the added adjustability stage firing allows.As far as the consumer is concerned, given his awareness and sensitivity towards fuel price fluctuation and what his ROI will be on new boiler, I think a comprehensive installer would make a successful case on the merits (savings)a stage firing "OPTION" would bring were applicable.I look forward to hearing what your Tech's have to say. If anyone else would like to chime in please do. Thanks again Glenn

Paul Fredricks_3

Oil

On the oil side, my biggest concern would be the difficulties we have with low firing rates. I assume the burner would be staged by a change in oil pressure. This means the nozzle needs to be small in order to accomplish this. We have many problems with the quality of oil, and possibly the dye in it, here in New England, mostly affecting .50 and .65 nozzles. .75 and over seems to be more trouble free. Burners that vary between .75 and 1.00 GPH, or anything higher, wouldn't be as much of an issue.

jim_72

Glenn just asking if you had a chance to speak to the tech's on Friday about this subject. Thanks

Unknown

Jim

I did in fact discuss this with our Engineering Dept. on Thursday while in Lancaster. As I have indicated in other posts, we are concentrating on the oil-fired applications of this boiler for now. Some consideration has been given to a gas-fired burner at some point down the road. This would require testing of various manufacturers burners and recertification for gas as well as oil. No promises at this point but it is getting future consideration.

Glenn Stanton

Manager of Technical Development

Burnham Hydronics

U.S. Boiler Co., Inc.