The processes of mixing air with gaseous fuels are required in many industries, construction and households. By burning the formed mixture, a variety of tasks are solved from the release of thermal energy to thermal cutting exposure. The simplest tool for carrying out such operations is the burner - this is a small-sized apparatus in which the torch flame from burning fuel is formed. There are many classifications of this device - both in structural design and in operational nature.
Typical burner design
The technical device of the instrument focuses on the processes of receiving gas-air components, mixing and burning them. A standard set of parts in the design can be represented as follows:
- Body.
- Lever.
- Nipple for oxygen.
- Mixture discharge tube.
- Control valve.
- Tip and nozzle.
- Mixing chamber.
- Mouthpiece.
- Stop valves.
A prerequisite for the operation of this tool is a source of gas-air substances. More often, the scheme of installing the burner on the can with the help of a clamp and a union nut is used, but some models also allow connection to the gas main line. Accordingly, in the first case, the autonomy of the workflow is ensured, and in the second, the stability of the flame burning.
Burner classification according to the principle of operation
Typically, models with an injection and diffuse principle of action are distinguished. They differ in the mechanics of work, which determines the process of burning organization itself.
In the case of injection burners, the combustion of fuel occurs inside the instrument due to the forced suction of oxygen. The mixing of gas and air can be partial or complete - the mode of operation depends on the requirements for the burner flame, intensity and temperature.
With the diffuse principle of operation, combustion occurs due to the fuel-air supply to the mixing chamber. Devices of this type are usually used in cases where a stable temperature regime is required throughout the torch. This may be the service sector of industrial boilers, furnaces and other large-capacity thermal units. An important feature of the diffuse burner is the possibility of stationary installation. Some models require a large consumption of air mixtures, but do not provide complete utilization of the combustion products, which also requires the creation of additional communications for their output through the chassis.
Burner classification by fuel type
The most common gas, liquid and combination burners. The former have a simple design, they are distinguished by their speed, instant ignition and a sufficiently high power of thermal exposure. Gas models are used both in welding processes and in the maintenance of industrial equipment.
Oil burners primarily run on diesel and fuel oil. Both versions are designed to burn liquid fuel materials, which are fed into the combustion chamber under high pressure, after which they are sprayed in the form of steam, mixed with air and ignited. This process causes the complexity of the burner design - this applies to the mixing chamber, which provides the spraying of the same diesel to the smallest particles. In terms of power, liquid-fuel devices correspond to gas counterparts, but at the same time they can work at low temperatures.
As for the combined burners, they operate on initially mixed fuel. For example, gas-fuel oil or gas-diesel combinations may be used. Additionally, an air mixture is also supplied. Such models are expensive and provide fairly low performance, but they are universal in application and do not require a change in working equipment.
Classification of burners by regulation method
In almost all designs, a step-by-step regulation scheme is used, but there is a significant difference in the ranges. So, single-stage models operate with limited power indicators, which leads to their frequent shutdowns when used in the same system with boiler automation.
Two-stage burners are more flexible in settings and ergonomic in operation - these are models with two power ranges, the first of which produces a capacity of up to 40%, and the second - up to 100%. The presence of two control modes is advantageous both from the point of view of the possibility of fine tuning combustion through automation, and due to fuel economy, when it makes no sense to use the device with a full load.
The principle of smooth two-stage adjustment is also applied in some devices. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that not jump-like switching between combustion modes is realized, but slow, not involving shutdown of the device. The burner operates in a constant mode, adjusting precisely through the automation settings to the specific needs of the current moment.
Piezo ignition features
Piezo ignition models are easy to use, autonomous and safe. Unlike conventional burners, such devices allow automatic torch ignition. This operation occurs as a result of pressing a special button on the handle, which is usually located next to the flame intensity control. Initially, a torch with piezo ignition was used mainly in camp conditions by tourists and travelers, who in principle may experience problems with ignition by traditional methods due to operating conditions. But today, almost all types of structures of this unit are provided with this function regardless of the fuel source.
Welding torches
A specialized group of devices that are used in welding processes with a protective gas environment. Actually, the operation of the burner in this case provides a whole range of critical tasks from arc formation to the direction of the gas mixture. By design, such models are made in the form of a pistol with a handle, a tip and a nozzle for releasing a torch. In some versions, a wire guide mechanism is provided - in particular, semi-automatic welding is implemented. In the choice of welding torches, it is worth considering the presence of protection on the body from melt. The melting of the wire inevitably leads to metal sticking to the design of the working devices. It is easiest to remove welding waste products if a chromed or ceramic coating with high temperature protection was used in the burner design.
Roofing burners
Also special devices for specific tasks. Typically, with the help of roofing burners , the deposited coating is heated. The peculiarity of such a roof is that it is laid on a molten bitumen mass, the temperature of which is just supported by the burner. These are compact models with the same functional organs in the form of combustion chambers and atomizers, but their tips have a smaller format for spot welding of a binder material. Also, roof models of burners can perform drying and firing procedures for building materials.
Burners for heating equipment
Almost all gas boilers in one configuration or another interact with burners. They perform the functions of burning fuel, maintaining a given temperature regime. More often use apparatus for igniting gas-air mixtures. All burners for boilers can conditionally be divided into atmospheric and ventilation, that is, inflatable. Often heating equipment is equipped with such devices in the main design. In this case, the burner is built into the control unit and can directly interact with the boiler automation. Since the operation of gas equipment is carried out in accordance with stringent safety requirements, between the source of the fuel mixture and the burner, this infrastructure may include means for preparing the working fuel composition. For example, it can be devices for filtering and deaerating the mixture in order to bring its viscosity index to the standard level.
Burner cylinders
It is more convenient to use separate containers - cylinders as a fuel source. They are distinguished by autonomy, a high degree of reliability and ergonomics. The main thing is to consider the compatibility of the burner with the fuel contained in a particular tank. This can be propane, butane, acetylene mixture, argon for welding, carbon dioxide, etc. Small-format gas burners have also gained wide popularity. On the spray can they are installed according to the principle of accessories on top. The nylon balloon burner has a very modest weight of up to 100 g. But, of course, the power of this design will be minimal. Typically, such devices are used in a tourist environment for heating food and camping materials.
Burner manufacturers reviews
The segment presents products from a wide range of manufacturers who develop both heating equipment and household equipment with construction tools. In particular, for welding needs, many recommend the domestic Svarog IOW6960 model, which shows itself well when exposed to thermal work on metal workpieces according to the TIG method with the connection of tungsten electrodes. The device is inexpensive, but at the same time reliable and functional.
If you need a tool close to professional technology, it is better to give preference to torches with piezo ignition from Sturm and STAYER. According to the owners, this product is characterized by versatility in use, safety and wide functionality.
In the circles of tourists, models from the Kovea rulers and Fire Maple devices are popular. Such devices are inexpensive, lightweight and do not take up much space in a backpack. But, as practice shows, even in harsh field conditions they regularly perform their tasks, maintaining stable burning of the torch.
Conclusion
Despite the widespread development of high-tech electrical devices, simple fuel combustion schemes are still in high demand. They not only allow you to perform the tasks of firing and heating, but also act as a lighting device. And most importantly, they do not require power supply from central networks, as is the case with electrical equipment. Which burners to choose in order not to be disappointed in the operation? Much depends on the conditions of use and the tasks that a particular device will perform. But experienced users refer to universal selection parameters versatility, structural reliability, compatibility with target fuels and ergonomic characteristics like compactness and ease of connection.