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Can this power burner be downfired to save fuel?

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brandonf
brandonf Member Posts: 205
This power burner is hooked up to a wet-base steam boiler that has an EDR of around 500. EDR of all the radiation is around 187.
I have no idea what the burner is set to and I have no idea if it can be set to a BTU rating similar to what the installed edr needs are.
I'm also guessing that it would be good to have someone come out to do a combustion analysis just to make sure the damn thing is burning as efficiently as possible.
Just trying to hold off for another year or two when I can change the boiler.
But the fuel prices will choke a horse.
Any thoughts?
Homeowner, Entrepreneur, Mechanic, Electrician,

"The toes you step on today are connected to the butt you'll have to kiss tomorrow". ---Vincent "Buddy" Cianci

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,280
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    Very unlikely that you can downfire that boiler to come even close to your installed radiation. You have an extreme oversize situation there.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,832
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    What make and model is the boiler?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 15,519
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    With 187 EDR 240x187=44,880 btu load x 1.20 (80%) efficiency
    =53856x pik up factor x 1.33=71628btu input.

    according to the burner name plate you can go down to 50,00 btu/hr

    BUT you limiting factor will be the boiler stack temperature you need to prevent flue gas condensation. So keep your stack to about 350 check gas pressure and adjust fire with combustion test equipment. You need 75,000 minimum input if the stack temp is high enough. Lowerring the firing rate will smooth things out and save fuel as long as you can get decent combustion. Gas utilities put thousands of those in. Not a big fan of that burner but they work
    kcopp
  • brandonf
    brandonf Member Posts: 205
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    > @Steamhead said:
    > What make and model is the boiler?
    Homeowner, Entrepreneur, Mechanic, Electrician,

    "The toes you step on today are connected to the butt you'll have to kiss tomorrow". ---Vincent "Buddy" Cianci
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,621
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    I installed over 2500 of those Midco E-20 burners. Properly set up and tested they are fantastic. They are also very forgiving if you have to derate to increase efficiency with out loosing stack temp and good combustion analysis. It takes patience and also knowing all the tricks such as baffling, neutral pressure point adjusters etc. This is all covered in my manual on conversion burners.
  • brandonf
    brandonf Member Posts: 205
    edited January 2019
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    @Tim McElwain I'm guessing all that modification and calibration isn't for a homeowner to tackle...Any RI recommendations?
    Homeowner, Entrepreneur, Mechanic, Electrician,

    "The toes you step on today are connected to the butt you'll have to kiss tomorrow". ---Vincent "Buddy" Cianci
  • brandonf
    brandonf Member Posts: 205
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    Any links to that manual?
    Homeowner, Entrepreneur, Mechanic, Electrician,

    "The toes you step on today are connected to the butt you'll have to kiss tomorrow". ---Vincent "Buddy" Cianci
  • Tim McElwain
    Tim McElwain Member Posts: 4,621
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    brandonf contact me at gastc@cox.net and I can connect you with someone in RI and also help you with how to get the manuals.
  • brandonf
    brandonf Member Posts: 205
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    > @Tim McElwain said:
    > brandonf contact me at gastc@cox.net and I can connect you with someone in RI and also help you with how to get the manuals.

    You are "The Man" 😎. I'll be in touch.
    Homeowner, Entrepreneur, Mechanic, Electrician,

    "The toes you step on today are connected to the butt you'll have to kiss tomorrow". ---Vincent "Buddy" Cianci