Oil Burner Question

Jim_47

I have seen many oil burners recently with an abnormal build up of "COKEing" inside the retention head. Some to the point of shutting down ignition. I have set the burners up using the new orange Beckett gauge or the previous 2nd generation alum. gauge and get similar build up. Draft and flue gases look fine when I go back and look at the run tickets. Anything I should be checking for?
At first I thought it was due to enviroment but recently I had a couple in clean basements without traffic or laundries. Combustion supply is OK as well.

Fred Harwood

Coking

I recently posted the same query, specifically for Beckett F3 heads coking. I found the solution (hopefully) to be that my pump pressure was a bit low (raised it to 100 psi), and I changed my nozzle from a 0.85 gph 80 degree hollow (B) to a solid (A). So far so good, and the boiler runs quieter as well. Let me know what you find out, because things that go cold in the night, of course only when it's 20 below, are worrisome.

Richard_4

coke

sounds like the flame is inpinging at the end of the blast tube or a broken down fire box.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Be sure you have the correct size head. If the firing rate falls between two different sizes the smaller one would be the best choice.

Do a nozzle comparison test to be sure you have the best selection for that particular burners air pattern (with that chamber and boiler) Try running a smaller nozzle with increased pump pressure for better atomization. You may need a different static plate or head for your particular combination. A change in fuel composition or cold oil is a possibility.

Tony_8

I have

also been seeing this a lot lately. I've been narrowing the nozzle angle and increasing the pump PSI to 140 (use a chart to get the new nozzle input).

This may explain why most of the new equipment I've seen the last few months has pre and post-purge. A definite improvement, IMO.

eleft_4

Pre/Post purge

The fact that you need an oil valve for the Pre/Post purge to work also has an influence on the performance of the appliance.

al

Tony_8

exactly

I'm referring to the new Becketts, not retrofitted units. That's why I referenced the more recent, new equipment I've installed. I figured if I was talking about new units with P/P purge the cleancut pump was a given I'll try and be more explicit next time.

eleft_4

Tony,



What I meant is the oil valve prevents the pre and post nozzle drip.

al

Jim Davis_3

CO test

Knowing how to do a CO test on oil would expose this problem almost evertime. The CO readings at shut-down indicate this will happen. But they must be compared with the Start-up and Run readings.

Tony_8

I know Al

I just thought you misread my post.

Ever wonder why it took Beckett so long to get to this point in design ? To some mfgs this is old stuff.