rb bertomeu, S.L.

 Pol. Ind. Fondo de Llitera, Par. 82-83

E-22520 Fraga, Huesca (SPAIN) 

Tel. +34 974 47 48 04

+34 630 43 08 43
www.rbbertomeu.es

rbbertomeu@rbbertomeu.es

TECHNICAL BULLETIN

n. 8   

TROUBLESOME CARBON BUILD UP OR “COKING”
ON FUEL OIL BURNERS CAN BE REDUCED

In order to achieve good combustion, in any type of burner, fuel oil must be heated until it reaches a viscosity of between 15 and 22 cSt (2.5 – 3.0 ºE) to allow an adequate degree of atomisation. The temperature of heating may vary between approximately 80 ºC and 120 ºC, depending on the type of fuel oil and the burner. These temperatures cause a process of fractioning of the fuel oil, with the precipitation of a hard black carbon termed ‘coke’, which tends to become deposited in the outlets of the burners installed in the combustion chambers of boilers, drying furnaces, rotary dryers, etc. The droplets from the nozzles, subjected to the reflected heat of the combustion chambers (especially those of refractory brick), also provoke the same effect by the evaporation of the most volatile part of the fuel and carbonisation of the less volatile components (asphaltenes and others).

These processes lead to what is termed “coking” or carbon build up of the burner, which is characterised by the progressive obstruction of the atomising nozzle (regardless of the type of burner installed), causing the following effects:

  • Increased production of soot and increased opacity of the gases emitted
  • Increased dripping of fuel in the combustion chamber
  • Diversion of the flame, directly affecting the refractory walls of the combustion chamber
  • Reduction in the flow of the fuel supply to the burner
  • Increased difficulties in regulating fuel / air / temperature of gases

As may be expected, the final consequences are a reduction in the energetic yield from the system, increased pollutant emissions, a reduction in the life of the refractory lining of the furnace and increased stoppages for cleaning the burner. 

These consequences can be minimised by treating the fuel oil in the storage tank with the additive “rb bertomeu” beco F2/A, as demonstrated by many facilities that burn several types of Heavy Fuel Oil (steam boilers, rotary dryers, fluid-bed dryers, etc).

For further information on this subject, consult the following documents compiled by rb bertomeu (by clicking on the chosen title):

 

 

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