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Combustion analysis at high altitude

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CBRob
CBRob Member Posts: 291
in THE MAIN WALL
Im trying out my first combustion gas analyzer.

Im at 9000 ft elevation and testing new install of triangle tube boiler.
I can adjust the altitude setting on the boiler but keep getting O2 levels higher than target and co2 level lower than target.

Im not going to start tweaking the boiler or anything, but wonder why my numbers are not in range. 

Comments

  • CBRob
    CBRob Member Posts: 291

  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    The analyzer only measures O2, CO, and temp. So ignore the rest, it is just calculated by the analyzer.
    I am guessing you are on Natural Gas?
    The gas company derates the Natural Gas at altitude so atmospheric appliances will run more efficiently. Your boiler has a power burner of sorts and is partially compensating for the lack of air density.
    A Triangle Tube, at altitude, on Natural Gas, typically needs to be "Fattened Up" (made richer) quite a bit.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
  • Robert O'Brien
    Robert O'Brien Member Posts: 3,584
    That is one of the few analyzers that measures CO2 directly with an optical sensor and calculates O2
    ZmanCBRob
  • greenmountain
    greenmountain Member Posts: 15
    Very interesting... what about with propane?
    I would guess most homeowners would not think to ask about the specific gravity of the fuel they're buying... but based on that table there's a roughly 30% variation in btus depending on location.


    Zman said:

    The analyzer only measures O2, CO, and temp. So ignore the rest, it is just calculated by the analyzer.
    I am guessing you are on Natural Gas?
    The gas company derates the Natural Gas at altitude so atmospheric appliances will run more efficiently. Your boiler has a power burner of sorts and is partially compensating for the lack of air density.
    A Triangle Tube, at altitude, on Natural Gas, typically needs to be "Fattened Up" (made richer) quite a bit.

    CBRob
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    edited January 2022
    Propane is sold at full strength. Natural gas is still billed by the therm, you need to be aware of the difference when sizing pipes ect.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein
    CBRob
  • Derheatmeister
    Derheatmeister Member Posts: 1,659
    edited January 2022
    We have to dail the O2 level to about 4.8 % at 9000 to 10.000 feet..
    Greatings from Summit County.
  • CBRob
    CBRob Member Posts: 291
    edited January 2022
    Great information you guys, appreciate the feedback.

    Yep, im working with nat gas.
    Zman, how do they derate methane?
    Add an inert gas?  Is it the ethane or propane that is added? 
  • Zman
    Zman Member Posts: 7,611
    I am not sure what they add.
    "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough"
    Albert Einstein

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