Need help finding a small boiler burner 12-15Kwh

Boatma

Hello, I'm considering DIY and custom make a central diesel boiler for my living boat. I've come to the conclusion that I need about a 12-15 kwh burner to heat hot water for both regular use and cabin heating. The problem is I can't find burners that small. Thanks for good advices and tips :)

mattmia2

that is about .3gph if my math is right. i'm pretty sure most smaller oil burners can be set up for that firing rate

bburd

12-15 kWh thermal = 0.3-0.35 US gph. Don't think I've heard of a nozzle under 0.5, in the US at least.

Boatma

Thank you, Mattmia2, that's good news. Can you please recommend a burner that is easy to set up? Maybe I should leave the nozzle job to someone who can adjust the burner for an optimal, clean burn.

hot_rod

Look to the boat, Dickinson Marine and RV industry for gasoline and diesel heaters in small sizes. You will find air, hydronic and some combined heaters for DHW and heat.

There are also some wood fired versions. I have. Cubic Mini wood burner in my camper, originally designed by a sailer for his boat.

hot_rod

Boatma

Thanks, I found a used burner (2019) Fremo type K-3 18kwh with 0.5 nozzle for 100$.

hot_rod

what type of homemade boiler? That gun needs to fire into a combustion chamber with a bit of design engineering thought.

Too much HX surface area and you will get condensing, too small maybe impingement, hot spots on the metal..

mattmia2

remember that most burners run at a higher pressure than the nozzle's gph rating is specified at.