User Guide

What the Nozzle Does

The atomizing nozzle performs three

vital functions for an oil burner:

1. Atomizing As just discussed, it

speeds up the vaporization process

by breaking up the oil into tiny

droplets…something like 55-billion

per gallon of oil at a pressure of 100-

psi (standard in the industry). The

exposed surface of a gallon of oil is

thereby expanded to approximately 690,000 square inches of

burning surface. Individual droplet sizes range from .0002

inch to .010 inch. The smaller droplets are necessary for fast

quiet ignition and to establish a flame front close to the

burner head. The larger droplets take longer to burn and

help fill the combustion chamber.

2. Metering A nozzle is so designed and dimensioned that it

will deliver a fixed amount of atomized fuel to the

combustion chamber…within approximately plus or minus

5% of rated capacity. This means that functional dimensions

must be controlled very closely. It also means that nozzles

must be available in many flow rates to satisfy a wide range

of industry needs. Under 5.00 GPH, for example, over 20

different flow rates and 6 different spray angles are

considered standard.

3. Patterning A nozzle is also expected to deliver the

atomized fuel to the combustion chamber in a uniform spray

pattern and spray angle best suited to the requirements of a

specific burner. More details on patterns and angles later.