Print this page Fundamentals of Gas Combustion
Robert P. Jackson, P.E.
Course Outline
This eight (8) hour course covers the basics of gas combustion, including the specifics relative to fuel gas types and the properties and characteristics of those gas types. The course highlights the conditions necessary to initiate and support combustion and the burner designs most often used for the combustion process. The descriptive information is generally for atmospheric and power burners. These burners are, by far, the most prevalent burners used in domestic and industrial applications. The gas-air ratio necessary for combustion of natural, propane, butane and manufactured gases are covered as well as characteristics such as flame speed, flame temperature, limits of flammability, limits of yellow-tipping, limits of lifting, etc. We also consider proper venting for the products of combustion and, last but not least, a complete chapter on troubleshooting a gas-fired burner system.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end,
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this course, the students will:
- Understand the descriptive information for fuel gas types, including the availability and use within the United States;
- Be able to define characteristics of the most prominent fuel gases used in the US; i.e., natural, LP and manufactured;
- Be able to discuss ignition temperatures, heating values, specific gravity of gases, flame temperature, etc. and why they are important to the combustion process;
- Be capable of defining the average properties of LP and manufactured gases;
- Manipulate an excel spreadsheet to calculate total heating value and total specific gravity for a mixture of gases;
- Understand the basics of the combustion process including the chemical reactions and heats of combustion for pure substances;
- Understand burner types and various burner configurations;
- Understand the very basics for the venting of gas-fired devices;
- Discuss, in depth, “trouble-shooting” of gas burners and gas systems;
- Be given testing requirements and general in-house requirements for third party certification;
- Have a complete glossary of terms relating to the combustion of fuel gases and how those terms are applied to gas-fired systems;
- Have an understanding as to how the “Laws of Combustion” affect the process;
- Know how to calculate the gas flow rate through a burner orifice;
- Have a listing of the ANSI test gases and test pressures mandated for testing a gas-fired domestic product;
- Understand the typical composition and elements of natural gas found in the United States;
- Be able to define the types of combustion;
- Be able to discuss the need for down rating a product due to an increase in altitude;
- Be able to calculate the Wobbe Index for gases when interchangeability becomes a must;
- Understand the various mathematical models for the interchangeability of gases;
- List the gas-fired gases that need to be vented and those that do not need to be vented;
- Be given a complete list of symbols and abbreviations used to describe the combustion process;
- Understand the Limits of Flammability and the Limits of Yellow Tipping and how those percentages will contribute to the understanding of lifting, sooting, yellow tipping, etc.;
- Be given a list of the “basic conversion and gas facts” for quick reference; and
- Be able to understand the danger of carbon monoxide and how an increase in PPM will lead to grave personal difficulties.
Intended
Audience
The course was primarily designed for mechanical engineers but is well suited for anyone wishing to gain a fundamental understanding of burner systems, gas fuel types, testing of gas-fired systems and general knowledge of how to diagnose problems that result from improper installation and use of those systems.
Course Introduction
This course is designed to provide an overview of the fundamentals of gas combustion, primarily as applied to gas-fired appliances such as ranges, water heaters, space heating equipment, zone heaters, etc. The principles of combustion are basically universal although the hardware needed to bring about the combustion process and the disposal of the products of combustion varies considerably. We will be studying the following:
- Nature of hydrocarbons and fuel gases
- Occurrence of fuel gases in nature
- Types of fuel gases
- The combustion process and the basic chemistry of combustion
- Gas burners and gas burner operation
- Venting the products of combustion
- “Troubleshooting” a gas-fired system; i.e., burner problems
- Testing requirements
Included with this course is an appendix that contains information that will be very helpful in understanding the material given in the body of the text itself. I have given significant thought and time to developing a glossary of terms that will be invaluable as you progress through the course. I would also recommend you review the list of symbols and the glossary of terms before starting the course. As with any technology, there is a specific vocabulary that has developed over the years that remains descriptive and usable today and the glossary will aid your understanding of the vocabulary as you progress. This course will NOT give you all of the necessary information to design gas burners or gas-fired systems. It will certainly give you an overview as to the thought processes, the basic background and the testing required to understand the work that is absolutely necessary for success. Successful companies, designing any product, will have those “in-house” specifications, standards and test procedures that supplement existing published. These address specific areas of product design and nomenclature.
Course Content
The course content is in a PDF file:
Fundamentals of Gas Combustion
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Course Summary
This course covers the basics of gas combustion, including the specifics relative to fuel gas types and the properties and characteristics of those gas types. The course highlights the conditions necessary to initiate and support combustion and the burner designs most often used for the combustion process. The descriptive information is generally for atmospheric and power burners. These burners are, by far, the most prevalent burners used in domestic and industrial applications. The gas-air ratio necessary for combustion of natural, propane, butane and manufactured gases are covered as well as characteristics such as flame speed, flame temperature, limits of flammability, limits of yellow-tipping, limits of lifting, etc. We also consider proper venting for the products of combustion and, last but not least, a complete chapter on troubleshooting a gas-fired burner system. A course in the fundamentals would not be complete without an understanding of how fuel gases are and can be interchanged and what effect interchangeability has to a gas-fired system. The appendix to this course gives a verity of information that will be useful as an individual strives for understanding.
Quiz
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
