Whirlpool 4322452 manual Burner Operation

BURNER OPERATION

To understand how a burner operates, it is important to understand the following terms (see Figure

3-9):

Gas:The fuel used by the burner, either natural or L.P.

Primary Air: The air mixed with the gas in order to make the gas combustible.

Secondary Air: The supplemental, or ambient air, surrounding the flame.

Air/Gas Ratio: Comparison of amounts of fuel gas and air to act as primary and secondary air.

Secondary Air

Gas Primary Air

Primary Air Figure 3-9

For proper operation, a burner needs the correct amount of gas mixed with the correct amount of air, referred to as the “air/gas ratio.” A correct air/gas ratio will result in a flame that is stable without yellow tips. The ratio depends upon the fuel gas type being used. Ten cubic feet of air are needed to completely burn one cubic foot of natural gas (10 to 1 ratio) and twenty-four cubic feet of air are needed to completely burn one cubic foot of L.P. gas (24 to 1 ratio). (See Figure 3-10).

When broken down, 70% to 80% of the total air required is mixed with the gas as primary air. The remaining 20% to 30% is pulled into the flame as secondary air.

1000 BTU Heat

1 cu.ft.

Gas10 cu.ft. Air

Natural Gas

10 cu. ft. Air To 1 cu.ft. Gas

1000 BTU Heat

1 cu.ft.

Gas24 cu.ft. Air

L.P. Gas

24 cu. ft. Air To 1 cu.ft. Gas

Figure 3-10

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