Industrial combustion systems, also known as industrial burners, provide efficient heating for a variety of applications. The concept is simple, but the basic functions performed by industrial combustion systems are often absolutely vital to manufacturing plants and other industrial operations. These systems come in many shapes and sizes, so it’s important to know not just what industrial burners are but also what goals they can help to accomplish.
What Are Industrial Combustion Systems?
Industrial combustion systems are like larger versions of residential furnaces and boilers, but they’re used to do more than just heat buildings. Examples of these systems can include not just furnaces and boilers but also ovens, kilns, steam generators, and more. Most industrial burners fall into one of these four categories:
- Ambient
Recuperative
Regenerative
Oxy-fuel
By now, some people will doubtless want to learn more about industrial combustion systems and their uses without going into all the specifics of how they work, and that’s just fine. However, the rest of this article will focus on the differences between the four main types of industrial burners and their applications.
The Types of Industrial Burners
Some types of industrial combustion systems are better suited to certain applications than others. To sort out which will be the best investment, let’s begin with a brief discussion of each of the four common types of industrial burners described above.
1. Ambient Burners
Ambient industrial burners are often referred to as cold-air burners. They’re very similar to the gas ranges and furnaces found in homes but on a much larger scale.
2. Recuperative Burners
Recuperative industrial burners are also known as hot-air burners. They use central heat-exchanger devices to preheat the incoming air to increase combustion efficiency.
3. Regenerative Burners
Regenerative industrial burners alternate between firing and exhausting. The use of two burners allows the air to be preheated using a regenerative media box, or heat exchanger.
4. Oxy-Fuel Burners
Oxy-fuel industrial burners don’t combine air with fuel to create combustion. Instead, they use pure oxygen. This seemingly minor difference can improve efficiency and reduce emissions.
Common Applications for Industrial Burners
Industrial combustion systems aren’t just used as furnaces to produce heat. They also fuel a wide variety of manufacturing and waste processing industries. In addition to HVAC, industries that often rely on industrial burners include:
- Power generation
Chemical and pharmaceuticals manufacturing
Oil and gas mining
Automotive manufacturing
Alternative fuel production
Building materials manufacturing
Ceramics manufacturing
Mining
And others
Choosing the right industrial combustion system requires knowing its intended application. Indoor applications often require enclosed combustion equipment, for example, while visible flames may be less of an issue in the oil and gas industries.
Industries that face strict environmental and emissions requirements may need to look into Ultra-low-NOX designs. Metal manufacturers will need to prioritize maximizing heat transfer.
The bottom line here is that buyers will need to have a good idea of exactly how the equipment will be used. From there, the best way to find a safe, efficient industrial combustion system that meets all of a company’s requirements is to reach out to a vendor.
Get Help Selecting the Right Industrial Combustion System
It doesn’t matter whether a company needs to purchase all new equipment or upgrade an existing industrial burner to meet increasingly strict environmental protections. The best way to select the right industrial burner for any application is to reach out to an expert for help.