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Re: Will the Silverton line have to convert to oil burning?
Author: Agent 99
Date: 06-18-2018 - 09:33
Oil burners can throw hot bits of carbon out the stack, particularly if they are not fired or being maintained properly. Also the quality (or lack thereof) of the fuel can affect carbon build up.
A boiler designed for burning oil usually has a more compact firebox which makes it easier to fill the box with flame and more consistent heat. A firebox designed to burn solid fuel can be converted to burn oil but it can be challenging to get the fire to fill the firebox completely and consistently and not create temperature differentials which kill a firebox. The type, size and placement of the burner and various arrangements of brickwork can help minimize temperature differentials but it can take a lot of trial and error to get it right.
Converting from solid fuel to oil doesn't structurally change the boiler so such conversions can be reversible. If it was me I'd be fast tracking conversion of at least a couple engines in Durango to burn waste oil. The supply is plentiful - the major part of the cost is transportation.
A boiler designed for burning oil usually has a more compact firebox which makes it easier to fill the box with flame and more consistent heat. A firebox designed to burn solid fuel can be converted to burn oil but it can be challenging to get the fire to fill the firebox completely and consistently and not create temperature differentials which kill a firebox. The type, size and placement of the burner and various arrangements of brickwork can help minimize temperature differentials but it can take a lot of trial and error to get it right.
Converting from solid fuel to oil doesn't structurally change the boiler so such conversions can be reversible. If it was me I'd be fast tracking conversion of at least a couple engines in Durango to burn waste oil. The supply is plentiful - the major part of the cost is transportation.
