Before lighting burners in a piece of fired equipment that has been idle or off line for any time or whose burners have become extinguished
during operation, it is vital to first purge the firebox of hydrocarbons and combustibles or explosive mixtures. Here is a method as outlined
to me by prominent burner manufacturing companies:
1a. If the furnace or boiler has a forced-draft fan, open the dampers and displace five volumes of air.
1b. If the furnace or boiler is natural-draft, open the air register and stack damper and wait for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Check the firebox with an hydrocarbon detector (the plant's fire station will usually have one of these and someone trained in its use). Pay particular attention to stagnant areas of the firebox, as fuel-gas valves tend to leak through burners and gases build up in areas of low airflow. Look for unburned gas and explosive mixtures. If you detect any such fuel or explosive mixtures, repeat step 1a or 1b, then test again with the hydrocarbon detector. Continue this process until the firebox is purged of all combustible or explosive material.
during operation, it is vital to first purge the firebox of hydrocarbons and combustibles or explosive mixtures. Here is a method as outlined
to me by prominent burner manufacturing companies:
1a. If the furnace or boiler has a forced-draft fan, open the dampers and displace five volumes of air.
1b. If the furnace or boiler is natural-draft, open the air register and stack damper and wait for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Check the firebox with an hydrocarbon detector (the plant's fire station will usually have one of these and someone trained in its use). Pay particular attention to stagnant areas of the firebox, as fuel-gas valves tend to leak through burners and gases build up in areas of low airflow. Look for unburned gas and explosive mixtures. If you detect any such fuel or explosive mixtures, repeat step 1a or 1b, then test again with the hydrocarbon detector. Continue this process until the firebox is purged of all combustible or explosive material.
