Intro to Burners

Question 1

Gas burner’s primary purpose

Answer 1

Primary purpose of a gas burner is to deliver a gas and air mixture to the combustion zone for ignition

Question 2

3 major characteristics of gas burner

Answer 2

1. Air mixing
2. Air supply
3. Flame pattern

Question 3

Aerated burner

Answer 3

there is air mixed with the gas in the burner upstream of the point of ignition

Question 4

Non-aerated burner

Answer 4

the gas is supplied to the combustion area without being mixed with air before it is ignited

Question 5

Atmospheric burner

Answer 5

1. Air is supplied to a gas burner by atmospheric or mechanical means
2. The air supplied to it is at atmospheric pressure only, air is not mechanically forced or induced

Question 6

Power burner

Answer 6

Unless the air supply is proven, gas cannot be supplied to the burner

Question 7

The major factors in determining proper flame characteristics include _____, _____, and _____

Answer 7

colour, size, shape

Question 8

Wavering flames

Answer 8

Causes:
1. External drafts
2. Cracked heat exchanger

Remedies
1. Eliminate drafts
2. Repair or replace head exchanger

Question 9

Floating flames

Answer 9

Causes:
1. Lack of combustion air
2. Burners overfired
3. Blocked flue
4. Orifice too large

Remedies:
1. Check air supply and air openings
2. Check gas supply & air openings
3. Remove obstruction, clean flue
4. Replace with correct size

Question 10

Flame rollout

Answer 10

Causes:
1. Lack of combustion air
2. Blocked flue
3. Burners overfired

Remedies:
1. Check air supply & air openings
2. Remove obstruction & clean flue
3. Re-adjust gas pressure

Question 11

Flashback

Answer 11

Causes:
1. Too much primary air
2. Burners underfired
3. One orifice too large or too small
4. Gas vale leaking
5. Defective burners

Remedies:
1. Reduce primary air
2. Increase gas pressure
3. Check burner orifice
4. Repair or replace valve
5. Replace burner

Question 12

Main burner flame too large

Answer 12

Causes:
1. Burners overfired
2. Defective regulator
3. Burner orifice too large
4. Incorrect gas used

Remedies:
1. Reduce gas pressure
2. Replace with correct size

Question 13

Noisy flame

Answer 13

Causes:
1. Too much primary air
2. Noisy pilot
3. Burr in orifice

Remedies:
1. Decrease primary air
2. Reduce pilot gas
3. Remove burr or replace orifice spud

Question 14

Yellow tip flames

Answer 14

Causes:
1. Too little primary air
2. Primary air openings clogged
3. Burner ports blocked
4. Mis-aligned or dirty orifices
5. Blocked flue
6. Orifice too large
7. Incorrect gas used

Remedies:
1. Increase primary air
2. Clean burner
3. Re-align or clean, replace if necessary
4. Remove obstruction, clean flue

Question 15

Fluctuating flames

Answer 15

Causes:
1. Unsteady gas pressure
2. Orifice blocked by dirt
3. Defective main gas valve

Remedies:
1. Reduce primary air
2. Reduce gas pressure
3. Check and replace with correct size

Question 16

What would you check if the flame was lifting?

Answer 16

Reduce primary air
gas pressure
check/replace with correct size

Question 17

What is the remedy for a flame with yellow tips?

Answer 17

Increase air
clean burner
re-align or clean, replace
clean flue
remove obstruction

Question 18

What is used to control the primary air to this burner?

Answer 18

Primary air shutter

Question 19

What must be proven before a power burner will allow gas into the burner?

Answer 19

Air supply has to be proven

Question 20

What type of burner would be in a typical furnace? Inshot or Upshot

Answer 20

Inshot

Question 21

What product of combustion does a yellow flame produce?

Answer 21

Carbon monoxide (CO) - heavier than air

Question 22

If you connected a standard domestic natural gas hot water heater to propane without making any adjustments at all, what would you expect the flame characteristics to be? Why?

Answer 22

Flame Rollout/ Yellow Flame
Too much gas, Not enough air