In modern industries using oil-oil materials, the percentage of waste can vary widely, sometimes requiring the involvement of third-party organizations for the disposal of waste products. In turn, liquid fuel boilers are now going through another stage of development, offering the consumer a lot of new technological opportunities. The use of economical fuel based on industrial waste just adds to the attractiveness of this equipment on the market. However, waste oil heating boilers have certain technical and operational features, which can also be considered as weaknesses. In any case, before choosing such a unit, a detailed analysis of all technical, functional and economic aspects of its application is required.
General information about the boilers in the "development"
The concept of recycling spent fuel materials has existed almost since the emergence of the problem of disposal of oily waste. However, in boiler equipment, this approach has gaineda full-fledged life only recently - since the development of pyrolysis technologies and long-term combustion systems by large manufacturers. These developments are rather related to the recycling of gas mixtures from solid fuels, but their principles can also be transferred to the concept of waste oil boilers. For oil, in this case, a special burner is used, connected to an inversion combustion chamber and a smoke tube.
Of course, the main difference between this equipment and classic liquid fuel units lies in the fuel used. There is still a certain segmentation according to the type of technological development products used, but the future of such models lies in universalization in terms of fuel supply. One way or another, waste oil boilers for the home mainly work at the expense of kerosene, diesel fuel and other diesel derivatives. Some modifications also support combustion when fueled with vegetable oils and special heating oils. In the case of industrial models, we can talk about the use of coarse heterogeneous compositions with impurities.
The structural device of the unit
The main material for the manufacture of this type of liquid fuel boiler is metal - cast iron, steel and individual elements from other alloys. The design is formed by the following parts:
- Case.
- Protective sheathing.
- Combustion chamber.
- Casing cover.
- Fuel tank.
- Fuel lines.
- Pumpto ensure fuel supply.
- Burner.
- Split.
- Bowl.
- Control panel with automation unit.
- Overflow glass.
- Damper.
In the above drawing of the waste oil boiler, you can also see the presence of a fan to supply oxygen to the burner. This solution is rather optional, but it provides a fundamentally important opportunity to regulate the intensity of combustion. Theoretically, the possibility of converting the generated thermal energy into a current is also allowed, on which it is possible to provide an autonomous working process of the equipment. However, the technical implementation of this function does not justify itself in practice for a number of reasons. On the other hand, power supply from a standard 220 V power supply does not burden the user much in terms of financial costs, since energy is required only for low-power control electronics, and not for heat generation. By the way, the thermal power of such boilers is on average 10-25 kW, which corresponds to the average indicators of industrial heating equipment. The efficiency reaches 75%, which is also not bad, although gas pyrolysis units in modern versions reach 95%.
The principle of operation of the boiler
At the moment the equipment is started, a fan starts its work through the control panel, directing air flows into the combustion chamber. At the same time, the burner is automatically ignited. The full operation of the pump in the waste oil heating boiler begins after30-40 minutes when the body is warming up. The temperature sensor, upon reaching the desired indicators, gives a signal to start the fuel line. Further, from the heated bowl with the tank, the oil supply to the burner begins.
It should be noted that in different boilers the fuel supply is organized in several ways. In the simplest version, the oil is supplied in its pure form without auxiliary additives. This simplifies both the design of the unit and its technological processes. But in more advanced models, the fuel delivery channel has a number of process points where the liquid is filtered and enriched with air from the fan. At the final stage of the functional cycle of the waste oil heating boiler, the mixture burns out, and the combustion products are removed through the chimney to the street. After the burner function is completely turned off, the fan should work for some more time to cool the boiler walls and remove burning residues.
Features of hot water models
Boiler double-circuit equipment is widely used today in individual home heating and water supply systems. One circuit serves the needs of heating, and the second one organizes hot water supply. What are the features of a boiler with a waste oil water circuit? In this design, the unit combines the design differences of indirect heating boilers and typical equipment for burning waste oils. In particular, the design is complemented by the following functional components:
- Fuel heater. Beforein the direction of the block with the nozzle, the oil is heated to the optimum combustion temperature. This preparation is necessary to maintain the stability of the combustion of the liquid.
- Accumulative tank. Buffer tank (receiver) for keeping constantly or periodically heated water. The volume of the tank in a waste oil heating boiler can be 30-80 liters, if we are talking about a domestic class of equipment.
- Heat exchanger. This component is present in all boilers. In it, the processes of heating water for servicing the DHW system take place. Of fundamental importance is the type of power supply of the heat exchanger - either due to third-party boiler equipment, or using a built-in heating element powered by the same 220 V network.
Besides this, in the design of a boiler with a waste oil water circuit, there are sometimes less significant design features:
- Refillable fuel filter - for poor quality oils.
- Water cooling for heat exchanger - required to prevent burnout and scale buildup.
- Aquastat is an additional boiler control element in the water circuit part.
Boiler fuel system
The fuel supply line, as already mentioned, can be organized according to different schemes. It does not have to be an integrated infrastructure - at least starting from the junction to the point of collection. In other words, a container with permanent storage of fuel materialcan be organized in a completely different room in a place safe from fire. In this case, the main thing is to organize a pumping system of sufficient power. Also, according to the rules for operating a waste oil heating boiler, fuel must be taken from the bottom of the tank at a level not lower than 150 mm from the bottom. This is important to protect communications from pollution by impurities and sediment that accumulates at the bottom.
As for the pumping system, its basis is formed by the pump. It is important to keep in mind that even boiler circulation pumps will not work in this case. Due to the specifics of the serviced fluid, only special industrial models for technical mixtures can be used. The same applies to the pipeline with hoses and connecting fittings. Like conventional water and heating networks on a liquid heat carrier, boilers operating on waste oil are not immune from airing the fuel mixture supply line. Moreover, in such systems, the presence of air can result not only in a decrease in productivity with thermal power, but also in a serious accident with damage to the combustion chamber. Therefore, an air vent - manual or automatic - should be fixed on the technological unit of the fuel line.
Burner for waste oil boiler
One of the most important devices of the unit, directly involved in the process of combustion of the fuel mixture. The burner must be of the right size and design compatibility for thefuel pump, as well as the filter and heater, if any. In the kit itself with this device may be present:
- Manometer for measuring the pressure in the fuel line.
- Vacuum gauge.
- Fuel pick-up fittings.
- Separator for additional purification of incoming oil.
The structural fastening of the burner for waste oil boilers is usually carried out on the flange of the front door of the equipment using a special gasket. Next, a heater and other functional accessories are mounted, like the same filter. At the same stage, an electrical power circuit is laid to the heater. Moreover, it does not have to be connected to 220 V. In some models, 12 V is enough, that is, you can limit yourself to battery power supply. As for the connection to the fuel line, it is most often made through a fitting to the burner valve. A thin 1/4” hose is used for the connection.
Communication means of piping the boiler
The main work on connecting the boiler itself is to organize hydraulic connections. As a minimum, oxygen pipes must be prepared (closed circuit system), and in the case of double-circuit hot water models, a piping for the heat exchanger is performed. If a full-fledged DHW system is organized, then it will not be superfluous to introduce a controlled multifunctional collector into the infrastructure, from which it will be possible to control the temperature on different water supply lines - for example, circuits for washing in the kitchen, bathroom,bathroom, etc. On the other hand, the waste oil heating boiler must be connected to wastewater discharge channels. Although there is no water consumption at the level of the storage tank with the heating system, the heat exchanger can be flushed periodically, after which the used liquid is sent to the sewer. In terms of electrical connections, an isolated wiring loop is organized, which provides for a safety block, a short-circuit protection system, a stabilizer and grounding.
Homemade waste oil boilers
It is quite possible to assemble the design of such a unit with your own hands, using special equipment and accessories, which are also found in ordinary private households. The base will be built on metal cases that will be required to contain the used oil and the combustion chamber. All connections to the combustion chamber are made using metal pipes - to the oil tank and the chimney. The most difficult thing that you will need to do with your own hands in a waste oil heating boiler is an automatic circulation system. To do this, it is better to use a submersible circulation oil pump. It is installed in a tank with fuel and pumps a combustible liquid into the combustion chamber. The intensity of the oil supply will be controlled by a flow meter installed in the evaporation chamber, where the oil is pre-aged. An oxygen blower is also connected to the combustion chamber formaintain stable combustion.
Hardware Advantages
The strengths of the operation of boilers for "development" include the following:
- Economy. The main factor in favor of the use of this equipment. Gas is considered the cheapest fuel material, but this system can compete with it. Another thing is that the initial price of waste oil boilers is 15-20% higher than conventional liquid fuel models, averaging 70-100 thousand rubles.
- Autonomy. The system does not depend on local lines of engineering and communication support. If there is no supply line for the same gas, then it makes sense to organize the delivery of used oil from the nearest disposal point or service station. Some enterprises are ready to give “working off” for free, so logistically, this scheme is fully justified.
- Efficiency. Liquid fuel boilers as such today are inferior to gas and solid fuel counterparts in a number of criteria, but they have a big plus in the form of high rates of heating and heat transfer.
Hardware deficiencies
Unfortunately, the positive aspects of the use of this equipment can be overshadowed by one significant disadvantage. It lies in the high requirements for the maintenance of the unit. Wood-burning fireboxes are considered the dirtiest and most troublesome in terms of maintenance, but recycled oil refining can cause even more problems in this regard. The fact is that oil for waste oil boilers contains persistent impurities that accumulate on the walls of the combustion chamber. Evenin industry, highly specialized equipment is used for subsequent cleaning, and in domestic conditions, only daily maintenance of the equipment will help eliminate the need for painstaking struggle with stagnant deposits.
Reviews of boiler owners
The practice of using such boilers rather reflects positive operating experience. Many users note the organizational ease of maintenance of equipment, which is associated with the absence of oil delivery problems and economic benefits. Despite the skepticism of many private homeowners in principle towards the use of recycled oil as an energy source, reviews of waste oil boilers show that during operation, relatively pure mixtures pollute the chimney with a combustion chamber less than solid fuel units. That is, it all depends on the characteristics of the oil used, but the very possibility of using a huge list of liquid fuel materials is undoubtedly a plus for such boilers.
Conclusion
Developers of heat supply systems today pay more and more attention to the possibilities of using alternative fuels. The prospects of this direction are explained both by the benefit for end users and the interests of preserving the environment. The principle of operation of waste oil boilers fully fits into this trend. The price of such equipment is still at a relatively high level of about 100 thousand rubles. for a technological model with modern controls, butthe low-cost maintenance process will pay for this cost over time. Another thing is that there may be expenses for maintenance activities, but this also applies to solid fuel and gas installations to varying degrees. Electric boilers are considered the cleanest, but due to the cost of energy resources, they are also the most costly in terms of financial content. Moreover, double-circuit modifications with water heating regularly set records for operating costs.
