Abstract
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of airflow through a retention head residential oil burner were carried out to study the velocity field near and around the fuel spray. The simulations revealed (as expected, based on some previous experimental measurements) the velocity flow field to be far from axisymmetric. Moreover, the center of the swirling airflow was found to be at some radial distance away from the physical centerline of the flame tube. Since it was suspected that the two electrodes just upstream of the retention ring of the burner might be responsible for this flow distortion, additional CFD simulations were then carried out for the cases of no electrodes and 4-electrodes. The results clearly show that all flow distortions (velocity deviations from axisymmetric value) vanish when no electrodes are present and that the flow distortions are reduced by a factor of 2 when two additional dummy electrodes (for a total of 4 electrodes) are included in the burner design. Furthermore, for the 4-electrode case, the eccentricity of the swirling airflow is reduced by almost a factor of 3 as compared to the base design case of 2-electrodes.
Highlights
Residential oil burners are devices that provide hot water and home heating for houses
Since it was suspected that the two electrodes just upstream of the retention ring of the burner might be responsible for this flow distortion, additional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were carried out for the cases of no electrodes and 4-electrodes
Combustion air is directed towards the flame tube via a retention head which is located just downstream of the fuel spray nozzle
Summary
Residential oil burners are devices that provide hot water and home heating for houses. These typically utilize #2 heating oil as fuel which is supplied under. The fuel pump supplies the heating oil to a pressure swirl nozzle resulting in a fine fuel droplet spray in the flame tube of the burner. Combustion air is directed towards the flame tube via a retention head which is located just downstream of the fuel spray nozzle. The purpose of the retention head is to stabilize the flame and to shape the air flow around the fuel spray so that combustion is efficient with minimal pollution.
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