6-27. OIL-WATER FLASH BURNER
a. Description. The oil-water flash burner uses diesel or motor oil as fuel. In
cold climates, it may be necessary to thin these oils with gasoline or kerosene to obtain
a good flow. The burner consists of a metal burner plate, a feed pipe, and containers
for oil and water (figure 6-21). The containers are equipped with valves, taps, or plugs
for controlling the rate of fuel flow and water flow.
Figure 6-21. Oil-water flash burner.
b. Operation. Operation of this burner results from dropping a mixture of oil and
water (generally about four parts of oil to one part of water) on a metal plate that has
been preheated to the flash point of the oil. (Flash point is that temperature at which a
liquid fuel bursts into flame.) The addition of water in small amounts increases the
efficiency of this burner as the water becomes steam when it hits the heated plate. This
steam aids burning by shattering the oil into very small droplets that will burn more
readily than would larger drops of oil.
MD0008
6-32