CO emissions of fuel oil boilers in transient and cyclic regimes: performance of burners without and with “antidrip” systems

CO emission peaks from fuel oil boilers in transient and cyclic regimes have been measured
in previous studies. In order to evaluate these emissions, tests have been performed without
and with an anti-drip system installed on the burner nozzle. Flue gas composition was
measured using classical analysers (CO2, O2, CO and NOx) and CO emissions results were
analysed and discussed.
It was found that the anti-drip system reduced cold start CO emissions and did not affect
steady-state CO emissions. At first, no reduction was noticed when the burner was cycling.
Further investigation indicated that there was an experimental artefact caused by an air
volume trapped in the pressure measurement system. When the air was purged and with the
anti-drip system, CO peaks when the burner was cycling were strongly reduced and CO
emissions remained under European standards limits.