Chapter 3 Improving Efficiency and Minimizing Environmental Impact Minimizing Oil Burner Air Emissions When heating oil is burned, it creates nitrogen (N), carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), oxygen (O2), sulfur oxides (SOx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (smoke) and particulate matter. Nitrogen, oxygen and water vapor have no negative direct impact on the environment. However, using too much extra air in the combustion process reduces efficiency and increases the amount of oil burned. This increases emissions of the other components. The Oilheat Industry is transitioning heating oil to ultra-low-sulfur diesel (15 parts per million of sulfur) while blending with 5 and 20 percent biodiesel. This will dramatically reduce the impact on the environment from Oilheat. Oilheat equipment manufacturers are making great strides in producing burners, boilers, furnaces and water heaters that are more efficient and cleaner burning. Oilheat dealers install this new equipment and maintain it to run as cleanly and efficiently as possible. As a result, the average Oilheated home in the USA uses over 500 gallons less oil a year than it did in the 1970s. This has dramatically reduced Oilheat’s impact on the environment. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. When oil burners are running properly, 10 to 13% of the combustion gases are CO2. At zero smoke, oil burners create 3.2 pounds of CO2 for every pound of oil burned. The only way to reduce Oilheat’s CO2 18 National Oilheat Research Alliance emissions is to help Oilheat customers burn less petroleum through increased efficiency. The less oil burned–the less carbon dioxide released into the air. Sulfur Oxide Emissions The sulfur in fuel results in sulfur dioxide being released into the atmosphere when it is burned. During combustion in residential heating systems, roughly 99% of the sulfur in the fuel is oxidized to form sulfur dioxide (SO2) and is emitted from the stack. The remaining 1% of the sulfur is converted to sulfur trioxide (SO3) in the flame. The SO3 mixes with the water vapor in the combustion gases to form sulfuric acid. The dew point for sulfuric acid is about 200°F. When it condenses, the acid is sticky and it adheres to the heat exchanger, flue pipe and the walls of the chimney flue. It damages the chimney liner and the flue pipe and forms scale buildup in the heat exchanger, reducing its efficiency. Figure 1. Figure 1 Effect of Sulfur
NORA Advanced Efficiency
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