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kerosene/oil burners

updated wed 3 apr 02

 

Marcia Selsor on mon 1 apr 02


dear Vince,
I am so happy to chime in on this one as I have loads of experience and knowledge
about oil burners adapted to kilns. (see Studio Potter 1973)
One can control the BTU output of furnace burners by getting the nozzles for the
desired BTU output. They are rated for so many gallons per hour. .25
...75..1.25...1.5
all these put out so many gallons per hour times btu per gallon. In our article
from 1973 and then in the Studio Potter Book we adapted a furnace burner with
three nozzles to vary and increase the BTU output. I think one could come up with
the appropriate preheat for an anagama easily. kerosene is much hotter than gas. I
don't think they would be undersized. How many BTUs are we talking about?

Marcia Selsor in Montana

vince pitelka wrote:

> A fellow contacted me from Japan with a request for information about
> kerosene or oil burners that would be appropriate for preheating a big
> anagama or noborigama before switching over to wood. I have seen pictures
> of this being done. I am familiar with the oil burners from home heating
> furnaces, adapted to use in kilns, but these would be severely undersized
> for a big woodfire kiln. It seems to me that this application requires a
> big unit. Does anyone have any information on LARGE oil/kerosene burners?
> I'd appreciate any help you can give.
> Best wishes -
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka
> Appalachian Center for Crafts
> Tennessee Technological University
> 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
> Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
> 615/597-5376
> Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
> 615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
> http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
>
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vince pitelka on mon 1 apr 02


A fellow contacted me from Japan with a request for information about
kerosene or oil burners that would be appropriate for preheating a big
anagama or noborigama before switching over to wood. I have seen pictures
of this being done. I am familiar with the oil burners from home heating
furnaces, adapted to use in kilns, but these would be severely undersized
for a big woodfire kiln. It seems to me that this application requires a
big unit. Does anyone have any information on LARGE oil/kerosene burners?
I'd appreciate any help you can give.
Best wishes -
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/

Bill Karaffa on tue 2 apr 02


Does anyone have any information on LARGE oil/kerosene burners?

Hi Vince,

I've fired with oil since 1975 using homemade oil burners that are very
similar to gas burners. My dad was a heating contractor so I grew up playing
with junk oil burners. The major difference between a forced air gas and oil
burner is the use of industrial nozzles instead of an orifice. These atomize
the liquid oil. Currently I am using variable flow nozzles manufactured by
Hago Manufacturing. Check out their website for a better idea of what oil is
capable of. http://www.hagonozzles.com/oil.shtml

Bill Karaffa
Firemouth Pottery and Gallery
http://fp1.centurytel.net/karaffa