Author Topic: let the fun begin  (Read 128837 times)

doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #45 on: March 18, 2012, 07:17:06 pm »
Cleaning the Buderus is pretty easy. Remove two bolts and the door will swing open and then you can lift the door it off the hinges.
« Last Edit: March 18, 2012, 07:46:40 pm by doug »
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doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #46 on: March 18, 2012, 07:21:13 pm »
Five by eight inch exhaust pipe for a heat tube to help burn off oil.
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doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #47 on: March 18, 2012, 07:23:23 pm »
My two transfer pumps. They come in handy when picking up oil from the trucking company.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2012, 06:48:58 am by doug »
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doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #48 on: March 18, 2012, 07:37:49 pm »
I set three barrels in the shed for 3 or more days to warm them up to temp before pumping the into the supply tank. Then I would hand pump them into the supply tank. I now have a pressure set up to force the oil from the barrel to the tank. I only use 2 1/2 lbs pressure and takes 6 mins. to empty a 55 gallon drum. It's been warm enough lately that the 2nd pic I'm using the pressure set up to empty a barrel off of my pick up.
« Last Edit: March 18, 2012, 07:43:23 pm by doug »
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doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #49 on: March 18, 2012, 07:51:57 pm »
I use a thermometer with a remote temp sender that I have mounted in the shed to help keep an eye what's happening in the boiler from the comfort of my living room.
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doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #50 on: September 15, 2012, 11:22:42 pm »
A little update to the '11/'12 heating season. It took 865 gallons thur the season and to bring the tank back up to the starting level where it was last fall. Minus about 30 gallon of water drained from the tank. That puts me roughly 835 gallons used thur the season. If you use a conservative number of 144,000 BTU'S per gallon of waste oil that equal out to 120,240,000 BTU'S. If you use 92,000 BTU's for a gallon LP which is a little high we saved ourselfs roughfully 1,306 gallons of LP. It was a very mild winter. The waste oil boiler ran for a total of 1813 hours. That averages 2.17 gallons per hour of fuel. I was very pleased with the system.

Also learned that more is not always better. Reduced the volume from the metering pump and that reduced ash and soot build up in the boiler chamber. Too much make up air caused smoke from the chimney. Less compressed air pressure under 10psi made for a better burn.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2013, 06:32:16 pm by doug »
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doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #51 on: September 19, 2012, 10:12:59 pm »
This year we added our domestic hot water to the boiler loop. Removed the 35 plus year old water heater and replaced it with newer 50 gallon unit. Added the sidearm tube and shell heat exchanger and an anti scalding mixing valve.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2012, 08:01:41 pm by doug »
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Russ

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #52 on: September 20, 2012, 12:24:27 pm »
Doug, your project just keeps getting better.  Nice work!

So the side arm is an exchanger to heat the water going into the water heater, correct?  Once the water is heated, the water heater is responsible for keeping the water hot, right?  Or does the water circulate some how through the heater to keep it warm?

I would imagine that heating up the water initially is where a lot of the energy is used, so bringing in hot water instead of cold into the heater is where the savings is?

doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #53 on: September 20, 2012, 07:35:44 pm »
I hope this will explain how the sidearm works. http://www.seattlehotwater.com/1/images/side-arm-animated.gif

The water temp in the boiler loop run between 155* to 170* and is constently cirurlating. As boiler loop water pass thur the heater exchanger it warms the water in the exchanger that is supplied from water heater,the warmed water then rises up into the water heater tank moving the cooler water back into the lower tank and then the cooler water is drawn back up thur the exchanger. I hope that explaination makes some sense.
Our heat exchanger is plumbed different than in the animation. The upper supply is from the boiler and the lower continues to the furnace then back to the boiler.
« Last Edit: September 20, 2012, 08:05:29 pm by doug »
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Russ

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #54 on: November 06, 2012, 12:35:35 pm »
Hi Doug,

Do you know what size nozzle you are using?  Probably the one that came with your CK kit, I am guessing.  That is what I am running also.  I just dont know what one came with my CK kit.

I want to order some to have on hand, but dont know which one to get.  The CK one seems to be performing well in my boiler.


doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #55 on: November 06, 2012, 03:15:08 pm »
Russ,

Funny you should ask about getting extra nozzles. That's just what I did last week. The nozzle that came with my kit is a .65. I seem to have more ash build up in the boiler than I think I should have so I also order a .50 nozzle to see if that will improve the ash build up.
I don't have any complaints about the ckBurnner kit. Mine has worked good in the forced air furnace and now in the boiler. It's a great way to get burning waste oil. Russ I'm hoping to see an update on your project.

doug
« Last Edit: November 06, 2012, 03:22:51 pm by doug »
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Russ

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #56 on: November 07, 2012, 09:34:48 pm »
Thanks for the info Doug.  I have about 10 hours on my burner so far this year.  I will run it a while longer and then take a peek in there to see what it looks like.

Yea, no complaints here either.  Lights so much easier than my old pressure system.  A little white smoke at ignition, nice and clean after that. 

If you switch nozzles, let us know if that helps with your ash situation.

After I burn a few more gallons, I will get some pictures and update my post.  Colder weather on the way.  Will be using up my stock this year I am sure.

doug

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #57 on: November 25, 2012, 07:29:31 pm »
For the season we strung some lights on the shed.

May I wish you all a warm waste oil seasons greeting from my family to you and your families.
« Last Edit: November 25, 2012, 07:31:20 pm by doug »
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Russ

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #58 on: December 06, 2012, 10:02:53 pm »
Now that is the fanciest waste oil heater shed I think I have ever seen!  Not that I have seen too many in my day, but yours is looking festive.

I hope you get to buy yourself something good for Christmas with all of that money in fuel you have saved  ;).

Enjoy the holidays!


Russ

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Re: let the fun begin
« Reply #59 on: December 14, 2012, 01:06:35 pm »
Hello Doug,

I was just wondering what temp your boiler runs?  I think it is common to be around 180F, but not for sure on that.

Also, does your circulator pump run continuously, always providing hot water to your house?

Thanks,

Russ