Technical assessment of a condensing oil-fired pulse combustion hydronic boiler

The objective of this report is to present the results of an engineering analysis of the energy conservation potential associated with a condensing oil-fired pulse combustion hydronic boiler designed for residential space heating applications. A laboratory study was conducted to measure the efficiency performance and operating characteristics of a prototype oil-fired pulse combustion condensing boiler system. The primary goal of the project was to clearly define the potential benefits of using the concept as a replacement for existing oil combustion systems both for existing housing inventories and new housing construction. In this regard the study utilized two techniques of measuring heating system efficiency. The first was the thermal efficiency measurement technique developed by BNL for precise determination of heating efficiency based on enthalpy (heat) flow measurement. The second was the more common flue loss, or stack gas analysis which is an indirect measurement of efficiency. In addition, the CO/sub 2/, CO, and NO/sub x/ emissions in the flue products from the system were measured along with limited noise level determinations.