Efficient Utilization of Gas Burners

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Created on Sunday, 02 May 2004 16:20

Written by Steven M. Broder

A large number of laundry owners and managers fail to realize that efficiency in operations equates to reductions in expenses. Efficiency of combustion equipment benefits your operation by decreasing costs of natural gas, increasing equipment efficiency, reducing electricity costs, decreasing maintenance costs and increasing productivity and output. Consider your automobile when a mechanic adjusts the combustion system (carburetor/injectors, timing etc.) There is a wide range of adjustments to effectuate the proper (efficient) air/fuel ratio. When this ratio falls outside recommended ranges, this affects your vehicles performance and efficiency. Whether for economy or speed, high performance of your car is usually desirable.

The combustion system in your vehicle is essentially the same as the combustion system in your gas fired dryers, boilers or similar equipment, in that there exists a recommended air/fuel ratio which must be maintained for efficient operation. With proper adjustments, your equipment will produce a hotter flame and emit fewer hydrocarbons into the atmosphere (efficiency.) The igniter (spark plug) will not become fouled and disrupt operation and burner cleaning will be kept to a minimum. The air/fuel ratio must remain consistent from low-flame through high heat. A skilled technician, familiar with the operation of gas burners should be called to evaluate the present condition of your equipment.

Today, most equipment utilizing a gas burner contains a high pressure safety switch, to discontinue operation if high gas pressure is detected. Many manufacturers also include a low-pressure safety switch. This device disallows operation of the burner absent normal pressure ranges. If gas pressure is low, the flame content (air/fuel ratio) will not be within recommended limits and operation would be inefficient. In most cases, if your equipment does not have a low pressure safety switch it can be added, utilizing qualified personnel.

In many plants there is not enough outside air available to efficiently fire and maintain burners efficiently, especially where multiple burners are operational concurrently. Remember, each burner has its own requirements for air intake. With inadequate intake air it becomes necessary to install “make-up air” units to provide the needed air. Burners must be vented to outside air for exhaust purposes, however, venting intake air offers a supplemental air source to provide the needed air supply. This external ducting can be in tandem for multiple burners with proper area calculations and dampers placed for each unit of equipment –possibly eliminating the necessity for make-up air.

Once efficient operation of your gas fired equipment is established you will see a reduction in your natural gas and electricity use. Furthermore, with reduced drying time, the output of your plant will increase.

In today’s world, efficiency and the environment are primary concerns. Efficient equipment helps your plant be environmentally friendly since in addition to saving money, you’re saving resources. In most cases only the cost of technicians are needed. In the event you have experienced personnel, all that is needed is proper equipment.

I have spent years attempting to effectuate a safe work environment by analyzing efficiency of equipment and considering various circumstances. For the most part, simple and relatively inexpensive solutions resulted in enormous savings for the management. This is efficiency