What Numbers Should I Be Looking For?

Rich Davis_2

I've been the caretaker a Burnham oil fired steam boiler at our church for about 10 years. I Service it in the fall, (change filters, clean and gap electrodes, check both low water cutoffs, check condensate pump, etc. Couple years ago I bought a combustion analyzer to use to keep my Triangle Tube propane tuned up, I was thinking about using my analyzer to check the steam boiler but I'm not sure what I should be looking as far as analyzer readings. Thanks for your suggestions

STEVEusaPA

Steady state, proper draft (which Burnham) especially over the fire. Then true zero smoke. Then see what the analyzer says and adjust your combustion air to put you in the best operation position.
Make sure you set it for the right fuel first.
Edit: switched gas to fuel.

EBEBRATT-Ed

No, set it for fuel oil #2

You would like to get the Co2 to the highest possible reading without making smoke. What you do is start the burner and make sure the boiler is hot and somewhat up in temperature.

Take a smoke reading and adjust the burner for 0-trace of smoke (so you can tell where you are). Then take a Co2 reading anything below 10 is not so hot, 12 1/2-13 is pushing it. Then open the air band and increase the air slightly until you C02 drops 1% or so.

That gives you a cushion so the boiler won't soot

Test the CO if your tester has that and the C0 should be as low as possible 50-100ppm is heading to the danger zone. Below 50is much better. A good burner can get down below 20 usually

HVACNUT

What model boiler and burner?
Commercial?

Rich Davis_2

Ill go tomorrow and get the info/numbers