S31 -- Automatic Fuel-Burning Systems (I-P)

Fuel-burning systems provide a means to mix fuel and air in the proper ratio, ignite it, control the position of the flame envelope within the combustion chamber, and control a fuel flow rate for safe combustion-heat energy release for space conditioning, water heating, and other processes. This chapter covers the design and use of automatic fuel-burning systems. The fuel can be gaseous (e.g., natural or liquefied petroleum gas), liquid (primarily the lighter grades of fuel oil or biodiesel), or solid (e.g., coal, or renewable items such as wood or corn). For discussion of some of these fuels, their combustion chemistry, and thermodynamics, see Chapter 28 of the 2021 ASHRAE Handbook -- Fundamentals. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS Terminology System Application Safety Efficiency and Emission Ratings GAS-BURNING APPLIANCES Gas-Fired Combustion Systems Residential Appliances Commercial-Industrial Appliances Applications OIL-BURNING APPLIANCES Residential Oil Burners Commercial/Industrial Oil Burners Dual-Fuel Gas/Oil Burners Equipment Selection SOLID-FUEL-BURNING APPLIANCES Capacity Classification of Stokers Stoker Types by Fuel-Feed Methods CONTROLS Safety Controls and Interlocks Operating Controls