How do split oil burners achieve rapid adaptation and efficient atomization when switching between different fuels, such as heavy oil and diesel?
Publish Time: 2025-10-13
Split oil burners are a core source of heat energy for high-temperature equipment such as industrial heating, boilers, melting furnaces, and asphalt mixing plants. With fluctuating fuel prices and tightening environmental regulations, many companies need to flexibly switch between heavy oil and light diesel to balance operating costs and emission requirements. However, the physical properties of these fuels vary significantly: heavy oil has high viscosity, poor fluidity, and requires heating and insulation, while diesel has good fluidity and easy atomization, but a relatively low calorific value.
1. Structural Advantage: Independent Control of the Burner Head and Oil Supply System
A key feature of the split oil burner is the separation of the burner head from components such as the fan, oil pump, and control system, connected via piping and cables. This design allows for independent configuration and adjustment of the fuel supply system. When switching fuels, users can connect the heavy oil and diesel systems via multiple oil supply lines and select the corresponding fuel mode in the control cabinet. The burner automatically calls up preset parameters, such as oil pressure, air volume, and ignition sequence, enabling one-touch switching. This eliminates the need for manual disassembly or replacement of core components, significantly reducing switching time and improving operational convenience.
2. Efficient Atomization: Multi-stage atomization technology adapted to varying viscosities
Atomization quality is crucial for efficient fuel combustion. Good atomization breaks liquid fuel into tiny droplets, increasing the contact area with air and promoting rapid evaporation and complete combustion. Split oil burners are typically equipped with replaceable or adjustable atomizing nozzles optimized for different fuels:
When burning heavy fuel oil, mechanical pressure atomization combined with steam-assisted atomization or rotary cup atomization is used. Heavy fuel oil is first heated to 80–120°C by a heater to reduce viscosity. It is then sprayed under high pressure through precision nozzles or ejected by a high-speed rotating rotor, breaking it into a fine mist. The split design facilitates integration of independent heating and insulation circuits, ensuring that the heavy fuel does not condense during transportation.
When burning diesel, low-pressure air atomization or simple pressure atomization can be switched. Diesel fuel has excellent fluidity and requires no high-temperature heating. The burner automatically reduces oil pressure and air volume to avoid excessive atomization, which can lead to a short flame or flameout.
Some high-end split oil burners also feature an automatic nozzle cleaning function to prevent clogging caused by carbonized heavy oil residue, ensuring consistent atomization during frequent fuel switching.
3. Intelligent Control System: Precisely Matching the Air-Fuel Ratio
Fuel switching isn't just about changing the oil; it involves comprehensive adjustments to air volume, ignition energy, and combustion timing. Split oil burners are equipped with a PLC or intelligent controller with multiple built-in combustion curves, allowing for preset optimal air-fuel ratios for different fuels, such as heavy oil and diesel. After switching fuels, the system automatically adjusts the blower speed, oil pump pressure, and air damper opening to ensure thorough mixing of air and fuel within the burner head, ensuring stable ignition and efficient combustion. Furthermore, an oxygen content sensor provides real-time flue gas data, enabling closed-loop control to further optimize combustion efficiency and reduce black smoke, carbon deposits, and nitrogen oxide emissions.
4. Safety Interlocks and Ease of Maintenance
The split-type design also enhances safety during fuel switching. The system is equipped with an oil switching valve, pressure relief device, flame monitor, and emergency shut-off valve to ensure no fuel leaks or flashbacks during switching. The independent modular design also facilitates routine maintenance, such as cleaning oil lines, replacing filters, and inspecting the burner head, without disrupting other systems.
The split oil burner, through its modular design, multi-mode atomization technology, intelligent control, and independent fuel supply system, enables rapid adaptation and efficient atomization of different fuels, including heavy fuel oil and diesel. This not only helps companies reduce fuel costs and increase operational flexibility, but also ensures a stable and environmentally friendly combustion process.
