Productive and economical boilers for heating with liquid fuel make it possible to achieve complete autonomy from a centralized gas pipeline. Reflecting on the installation of the unit, it is necessary to deal with its device, the principle of operation and features of operation.
The choice of boiler should be based on a comparative assessment of the characteristics and functionality of different models. An important factor is the reputation of the manufacturer.
In this material we will talk about the varieties of liquid-fuel models of heating boilers, their advantages and disadvantages, and also consider several popular devices from well-known brands.
Advantages and disadvantages of liquid fuel boilers
Liquid fuel boilers, despite the ability to efficiently heat a building and technical excellence, are not as common as gas or solid fuel heat generators.
Equipment operating on diesel fuel or development is very popular in Western Europe.
Significant advantages of a liquid fuel heating boiler include:
- High work efficiency. The efficiency of most models reaches 95%. Fuel is consumed with virtually no loss.
- Great power. The performance of the units allows heating both compact living spaces and spacious production workshops.
- High level of automation. The boiler operates for a long time without human intervention.
- Autonomy from energy sources. Excluding electricity. If necessary, you can do with a generator.
- The possibility of switching to gas fuel.
There are additional advantages of such equipment. To install the boiler does not require coordination and obtaining permission. In addition, the absence of a gas pipeline greatly facilitates installation work.
Image Gallery
Photo from
Oil-fired heating boilers are used where it is not planned in the coming years to connect to the gas main and there is no way to receive the electric power necessary for the boiler
Liquid fuel boilers are installed on a reinforced base with a fireproof coating. It is recommended to build separate foundations for them
The equipment is located in non-residential premises provided with ventilation openings
The exit from the liquid fuel boiler is connected using a removable pipe with a hole in the wall that goes directly to the street or into the chimney
The main disadvantage of using a liquid fuel boiler is the high consumption of diesel fuel. It will require almost 3 times more heating than gas
The second significant drawback is the exactingness of liquid fuel equipment for diesel fuel. When using fuel that is not cleaned of sand, tar, water, the unit and its nozzles will often become clogged with soot
It is important that the boiler is continuously supplied with diesel fuel, which must be stocked up and stored somewhere. Impressive tanks will be required for storage, this is the third minus
The solid merit of choosing a liquid fuel boiler for autonomous heating is the absence of the need to obtain any permits at all
Oil boiler in a private house
Installing a liquid fuel boiler
Ventilation requirements
Rules for the construction of the boiler chimney
Minus of liquid fuel equipment
Demand for fuel quality
The presence of a tank for storing diesel fuel
Advantage of liquid fuel heating option
Difficulties of installation and operation of a liquid fuel boiler:
- High costs for the purchase of fuel. With intensive use of the equipment, the annual fuel consumption can reach several tons.
- A separate structure is being built for fuel storage. As an option, a warehouse with containers of opaque plastic or steel is equipped in the ground. An important condition is protection from sunlight.
- The unit must be placed in a separate room with good ventilation and a powerful exhaust hood.
- If the diesel boiler room is located close to the house, then additional sound insulation is required - the burner makes noise during operation.
When equipping underground fuel storage facilities, the hydrogeological characteristics of the terrain must be taken into account.
Many models provide for climate control of the boiler - setting a comfortable temperature in the house, taking into account outdoor temperature
The device and principle of operation of the boiler
Liquid fuel units operate on the same principle as gas units. The main difference is the use of a fan burner (nozzle). The type of device largely determines the efficiency and efficiency of the boiler.
Our compatriots consider the installation of a liquid fuel unit, as an alternative method of heating in the absence of a centralized gas supply line
The main working units of the heat generator
Liquid fuel boiler components:
- burner;
- the combustion chamber;
- heat exchanger;
- chimney;
- Control block;
- body.
The liquid-fuel heating installation is equipped with a main line with a fuel supply pump and a fuel storage tank.
To increase the productivity and efficiency of the apparatus, manufacturers improve models by supplementing the device with various heat-exchange plates and chimneys
Heating unit burner
The main module of the installation, responsible for the preparation of the fuel-air mixture and transmitting it in the amount necessary to maintain the operation of the heat generator.
The oil burner is a fan burner. The supply and injection of fuel into the combustion chamber is carried out under pressure - forced air is inflated
Standard burner for liquid fuel boilers:
- Ignition transformer. Generates a spark that ignites the fuel.
- Control block. It determines the start-up phases, monitors and stops the operation of the burner. A photocell, an ignition transformer and an emergency shutdown sensor are provided.
- Solenoid valve. Corrects the supply of fuel to the combustion chamber.
- Air regulator with filter. The device normalizes the air supply, preventing the ingress of solid particles.
- Preheater. Changes the condition of the fuel, reducing its viscosity. The more liquid fuel enters the nozzle opening, the more economical it is spent.
- Fuel overflow pipe. It is connected to the tank, where the fuel is heated.
- Flame tube. Through the highway, thermal energy is supplied to the place of heating of the coolant, which then circulates in the heating system.
The burner can be initially integrated into the boiler without the possibility of increasing the power of the unit. Hinged modules allow you to modify equipment.
The installation of the mounted burner is carried out by a specialist at home. The advantage of the factory-built module is the quick commissioning of the boiler plant
Boiler combustion chamber
In fact, it is a heat-resistant tank with an inlet and an exhaust hole. As a rule, it has a round or rectangular section.
Device heat exchanger
Through the walls of the heat exchanger transfers heat energy to the coolant. In modern models, the coating of this element is made according to the principle of a radiator device - this allows the maximum use of thermal energy obtained in the combustion process.
The burner and door are fixed on the front section of the heat exchanger. The number of sections and the heat exchanger coating area determine the power of the boiler
Fluid chimney
Air intake is carried out from the street or from the boiler room, which you should properly equip in this material.
When supplied from the outside, air is supplied through a coaxial chimney or through a separate channel. To increase efficiency, smoke channels are supplied with steel plates - the exhaust gases form turbulent flows that reduce their speed. The thrust is maintained.
Device control unit
Automation is designed to maintain the set temperature. Auxiliary functions reduce the cost of boiler operation. From a technical point of view, the most advanced are weather-dependent units that change the heating temperature of the coolant based on the readings of external sensors.
The principle of operation of the thermal unit is based on the preparation of a mixture of fuel and air with its subsequent atomization in the combustion chamber
Boiler body
All elements of the system are enclosed in a durable heat-insulating casing. Such a "shell" reduces heat loss and increases the efficiency of the boiler.
Outside, the case is glued with a layer of heat-insulating film, which, when heated, remains cold and protects the operator from burns.
How is the room heated?
The whole process of generating heat in a liquid fuel boiler and transferring thermal energy to heating radiators can be divided into several stages.
Stage 1. Diesel fuel or other fuel is poured into the storage. The fuel pump delivers fluid to the burner - pressure is created in the pipeline. At the same time, the fuel pump using sensors determines the quality of the fuel and the percentage of its thickening.
Stage 2. Diesel fuel enters the preparation chamber. Here is the mixing of fuel with air, heating and liquefying the mixture.
Stage 3. The fuel and air composition is fed to the nozzle. Under the influence of the fan, the mixture is sprayed and the fuel mist ignites in the combustion chamber.
Stage 4. The walls of the camera are heating up. Due to this, the heat exchanger and the heat carrier are heated. The latter enters and circulates in the heating system.
Stage 5. During the combustion of a combustible substance, gases are formed that are discharged through a chimney. Rushing out, smoke passes through a series of heat exchange plates and also gives off its heat.
When burning fuel, soot is formed. To maintain the boiler efficiency at the proper level, the walls of the combustion chamber must be periodically cleaned.
Varieties of liquid fuel models
All oil-fired boilers can be classified according to the following criteria: scope, functionality, type of adjustment, material of manufacture, type of fuel used and installation method.
By application
The main indicator that determines whether a boiler plant belongs to one of the types is power. Household models are available with power from 6 to 230 kW. This is enough to heat small houses of 50 square meters. m and large rural cottages on 2200 square meters. m
The performance indicator determines the fuel consumption in a liquid fuel heating boiler - it takes about 1 kg of diesel per hour to generate 10 kW of heat. Domestic units are designed for the maximum allowable working pressure - 4-6 bar.
The power of industrial liquid fuel boilers ranges from 500 to 12,000 kW. Heavy duty models work on heating buildings with an area of more than 15 thousand square meters. m. Management of industrial heating units is fully automated.
Industrial boiler equipment is divided into hot water and steam boilers. The former perform heating of water under pressure, and the latter generate superheated or saturated steam.
High-power heat generators are used in block-modular boiler rooms - autonomous stations for generating steam and heat. Steam generators are in demand in the food, furniture industry, wood processing, oil production and the production of animal feed
By functionality
Single-circuit boilers are designed exclusively for heating the room. They are connected to radiators, and the coolant circulates through a closed heating system. Such a unit does not heat water for domestic consumption - this should be taken care of separately by installing a boiler.
Dual-circuit models are more functional. Boilers provide heating of the house and the supply of warm water to different points of the intake (shower, wash basin, etc.). An additional heat exchanger is provided in the equipment design to ensure hot water supply.
Double-circuit boilers are equipped with a flowing water heater or a storage boiler. When using a “protochnik” water will be colder than with the built-in storage tank
According to the method of regulation
The mode of operation of the boiler is determined by the type of burner installed.
By the type of adjustment, all devices are divided into several groups:
- single stage;
- two and three stages;
- modulated.
Single-stage modules operate on the principle of variable on and off. After heating the coolant to a certain temperature, the flame goes out, and after cooling, the burner turns on again. Such burners are ineffective - they lead to excessive consumption of fuel.
Burners of "one mode" are installed on boilers with a capacity of not more than 200 kW. Leading companies are phasing out their use
Two- and three-stage devices operate in the following modes:
- Two stage modules operate at 30 and 100% power. After maximum heating of the water, the burner is tuned to a mode of reduced productivity. This allows you to reduce fuel consumption by 5-10%.
- Three stage operate at 30-60-100% power. Efficiency and high heat efficiency of the device are achieved.
Modulated - the process of fuel combustion is regulated automatically. The flame intensity is affected by: temperature inside and outside the building, fuel quality and preset mode. The range of power changes is 10-100% of productivity.
Microprocessor automation determines the composition of the fuel-air mixture, the optimal feed rate to the nozzles and pressure.
The fifth generation boilers are equipped with modulation burners. Compared to two- and three-stage devices, they are 15% more economical
By type of material
Manufacturers equip heating units with cast-iron or steel heat exchangers. The material of manufacture affects the efficiency and durability of the boiler.
Cast iron models have a long service life of more than 30 years. However, they are quite "capricious" and with a critical temperature difference between the "return" and the "feed" can crack. The temperature difference of water at the inlet and outlet should not exceed 20 ° C.
If the boiler will be used periodically, for example, during visits to the country, it is better to choose a model with a steel heat exchanger. Heat-resistant steel is less durable, but stably tolerates temperature changes.
A boiler with a steel heat exchanger is cheaper than an analogue with a cast-iron module. Steel models featured in the Kiturami and Viessmann product lines
By type of fuel
As fuel material in liquid fuel boilers, diesel (diesel fuel) or used oil is most often used. Externally, diesel plants do not differ from fellow workers working on the "development". The main difference in the technical component.
The boiler uses clean, certified diesel fuel. When burning fuel, ash formation is minimal. This allows the use of a smaller combustion chamber and smoke tubes in the design.
The waste oil is burned with an abundant ash release. In the “working out” boilers, there is no turbulizer inside the smoke tubes, and all the sediment is deposited in a special smoke collection chamber. We recommend you to read our other article, which details the calorific value of various types of fuel.
In oil-powered devices, transmission and motor oils from automobiles are used. It is advisable to install such boilers at service stations, agricultural machinery bases and automobile enterprises
By installation method
According to the installation method, wall and floor units are distinguished. Mounted boilers - compact, easy to install, but inefficient. Their power is enough to heat a room, the area of which does not exceed 300 sq.m.
Floor-mounted liquid fuel boilers are more bulky and productive. These include all industrial units and high-power household models.
Overview of models from leading companies
Liquid fuel boilers of foreign manufacturers: ACV, EnergyLogyc, Buderos Logano, Saturn, Ferolli and Viessmann occupy a worthy niche in the heating equipment market. Among domestic companies, Lotus and TEP-Holding have proven themselves well.
Universal boilers ACV Delta Pro
The Belgian company ACV implements models of the Delta Prо S line - double-circuit boilers with an integrated boiler. The power of heating units is from 25 to 56 kW.
Delta Prо S boilers are delivered with a burner of your choice - either BMV1 model for liquid fuel or BG2000 for propane and natural gas
Technical and operational features:
- heat exchanger manufacturing material - steel;
- polyurethane foam insulation;
- work on diesel fuel or gas;
- control panel with thermometer, control thermostat.
The oil-fired boiler "adjusts" to the season - a winter / summer switch is provided.
The efficiency of Delta Prо S boilers is 92.8%. The water heating time for the DHW system depends on the capacity of the installation and ranges from 16 to 32 minutes
EnergyLogyc Aggregates - Intelligent Automation
The waste oil boilers of the American company EnergyLogyc differ from their analogues in their automated burner adjustment and fuel combustion processes.
As fuel, used oil, diesel fuel, vegetable oil or kerosene are used.
The device has increased the size of the furnace and the cross section of the chimney pipes - this allows you to effectively use "mining" and reduces the number of works on cleaning the boiler
EnergyLogyc fuel oil units are available in three versions:
- EL-208V - power 58.3 kW, fuel consumption - 5.3 l / h,
- EL-375V - productivity 109 kW, fuel consumption - 10.2 l / h;
- EL-500V - thermal power - 146 kW, fuel consumption - 13.6 l / h.
The maximum heat carrier temperature in the presented models is 110 ° С, working pressure - 2 bar.
The EL-208V boiler is suitable for heating rooms for various purposes: cottages, greenhouses, car services, production shops, warehouses, private houses and offices
Buderos Logano - German quality
Buderos (Germany) produces diesel boilers, nozzles, burners and other equipment necessary for the operation of the heating system. The range of power characteristics of the units is 25-1200 kW.
The efficiency of Buderos liquid fuel boilers is 92-96%. The equipment operates in a fully automatic mode, the fuel material is diesel fuel. Heat exchanger made of gray cast iron or steel
Buderos Logano boiler plants are produced in two series:
- Buderos Logano category "G" - designed for private use, their power is 25-95 kW;
- Buderos Logano category "S" - industrial equipment.
The units are characterized by a streamlined design, a convenient control system, and an integrated silencer.
Buderos Logano domestic boilers come with built-in and adjustable diesel burners. The device can be understaffed with a pumping group, a security system and an expansion tank
Boilers of the Korean company Kiturami
Kiturami Turbo series floor-mounted boilers are designed for domestic use. Power units 9-35 kW.
Distinctive features of the model:
- providing heating and hot water supply to premises up to 300 sq.m;
- the boiler heat exchanger is made of high alloy steel;
- 99% additional hot water heat exchanger consists of copper, which increases the heating efficiency;
- antifreeze and water are suitable as a heat carrier.
A distinctive feature of Turbo models is the presence of a turbo-cyclone burner. It operates on the principle of a turbocharged car engine.
Due to the high temperature, secondary combustion occurs in a special metal circuit board. This makes it possible to economically consume fuel and reduces the emission of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
Kiturami Turbo operation is possible in the modes: “Shower”, “Sleep”, “Presence”, “Work / Check” and “Timer”. Control panel removed front side of the housing
Watching video materials will help to understand the device and the principle of operation of heating units using liquid fuel.
Comparison of the diesel boiler and the unit working on the "development":
The rules for choosing liquid fuel heating equipment will be discussed in the following video:
Oil boilers are highly automated. Heating on the basis of diesel devices allows to achieve autonomy, and the lack of a rigid framework for documentary design makes them an attractive offer. However, a number of significant shortcomings in the maintenance of the boiler plant, holds the demand for diesel units.
If you are concerned about the choice of a liquid fuel boiler, please leave your questions in the box below. There you can write practical advice on the topic of the article or share experience in using such heating equipment.