N
Luxe Glam Report

What is a flame retention head

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on June 29, 2026

The combustion head (also referred to as the turbulator, fire ring, retention ring or end cone) creates a specific pattern of air at the end of the air tube. The air is directed in such a way as to force oxygen into the oil spray so the oil can burn.

What does a flame retention head do?

The combustion head (also referred to as the turbulator, fire ring, retention ring or end cone) creates a specific pattern of air at the end of the air tube. The air is directed in such a way as to force oxygen into the oil spray so the oil can burn.

How does the retention head keep the flame close to the end of the burner?

How does the retention head keep the flame close to the end of the burner? An eddy current creates a lower air pressure in front of the nozzle. Why are forced draft oil burners necessary?

What is a retention flame?

A flame-retention head oil burner is designed to mix the air and fuel more efficiently than the traditional iron-head units. As a result, the amount of excess air required for good combustion is significantly reduced, resulting in a hotter and cleaner flame.

How does a CAD cell work?

The cad cell is made from a cadmium sulfide coated ceramic disk with a conductive grid over its surface. Electrodes are attached to this surface, and the cell is sealed in glass to protect it. The cad cell in darkness has a very high resistance to the flow of electrical current.

What 4 Things Must an oil burner do in order for combustion to take place?

Therefore, every oilburner must atomize the oil, vaporize it, mix it with air, and heat the mixture above its ignition point.

What products of combustion are produced with ideal combustion when fuel oil is burned?

What product of combustion are produced with ideal combustion when fuel oil is burned? Heat, Carbon-dioxide and water vapor.

What provides ignition for an oil burner?

There are two primary components used for ignition systems – the ignition transformer and the solid state ignitor: Ignition Transformer – This is a step-up transformer that “steps up” an incoming voltage of 120 volts to 10,000. Solid State Ignitor – The solid state ignitor produces anywhere from 14,000-20,000 volts.

What is the purpose of a gun type oil burner?

Gun-type Burners (pressure gun) A gun-type burner atomize the fuel oil by forcing the oil through a nozzle and spraying it into to an gun-like airflow atomic nozzle. The liquid forms microscopic particles or globules which is well mixed and partly evaporated before ignited in the combustion chamber.

How do you know if a CAD cell is bad?

If the cad cell fails, or more likely if a dirty oil burner flame soots up the face of the cad cell device, the soot blocks view of the flame and cad cell resistance will increase. (That’s why at zero flame and when it’s dark in the combustion chamber the cad cell will read infinite resistance.)

Article first time published on

How do you check CAD eye?

To check cad cell operation, use the following procedure: ³ Disconnect cad cell leadwires; then start burner. Shortly after burner starts, place a temporary jumper between terminals F-F. Connect an ohmmeter across cad cell leadwires; resistance should be less than 1600 ohms. Stop burner and remove temporary jumper.

How does a CAD cell sense the flames?

The Cad Cell on your EnergyLogic Waste Oil Heater or Boiler senses the flame by detecting light in the visible spectrum, and is an important safety-feature of your EnergyLogic Waste Oil Burner.

How often should I change my oil burner nozzle?

usually to avoid any issues and get the best possible efficiency nozzle should be replaced yearly. when one has a yearly service and maintenance contract this is usually done during the yearly service and inspection as wellas verfying filters and tune up of the burner.

How long do boiler electrodes last?

Every 5 years boilers will normally have worn electrodes, and typically issues with automatic air vents or sensor drift may have occurred.

Can I put a smaller nozzle in my oil burner?

You can substitute an oil burner nozzle SIZE that’s a bit larger or smaller – that’s the gallons-per-hour number, or for your two examples 0.75 gph is the same on both nozzles. But I do NOT recommend changing the nozzle spray angle degree.

How many grades of fuel oil are normally considered heating oils?

There are two grades of heating oil, Number 1 fuel oil and Number 2 stove oil, both of which are volatile and intended for cooking.

What causes oil burner puff back?

A puff back occurs when an oil burner doesn’t ignite right away and as a consequence fumes build up in the furnace. The fumes cause an explosion inside the burner chamber, which vaporizes and expels soot throughout a home or business, covering walls, baseboards, furniture and floors in oily toxic soot.

Will fire continue in the absence of oxygen?

Without sufficient oxygen, a fire cannot begin, and it cannot continue. With a decreased oxygen concentration, the combustion process slows. Oxygen can be denied to a fire using a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher, a fire blanket or water.

Does a boiler need fresh air?

The starting point in any combustion system is the supply of fresh air. To avoid serious combustion problems, the boiler must have an adequate supply of fresh air and a supply system that does not affect the boilers operation.

How is fire created?

Fire is the result of applying enough heat to a fuel source, when you’ve got a whole lot of oxygen around. As the atoms in the fuel heat up, they begin to vibrate until they break free of the bonds holding them together and are released as volatile gases. These gases react with oxygen in the surrounding atmosphere.

What is vaporizing burner?

Vaporizing Oil burner: In vaporizing burner the volatile fuel is passed at a low pressure through a tube adjacent to the flame, where vaporization takes place. The fuel mixture passes through a mixing tube and burns at the burner head.

What is the difference between an oil burner and a diffuser?

The only difference between these different types of diffusers is the way they dissipate the oil in the room. While oil burners are generally cheaper than diffusers, diffusers can be used while you sleep or when children are around.

What is a diesel burner?

A burner is a device that burns liquid fuel. The fuel such as fuel oil, diesel or home heating oil, is usually a fine spray forced through a nozzle under pressure.

How much does an oil burner cost?

Oil furnaces are far less efficient and can cost anywhere from $2,200 to $2,500. More efficient models can cost up to $10,000. These also tend to be much more expensive to operate and are dirtier than gas furnaces. Electric heat can cost anywhere between $1,800 and $2,700 to install, but these aren’t a popular option.

How do I know if my oil furnace ignitor is bad?

  1. The Furnace Stops Running. When a furnace won’t run at all, check for a bad ignitor. …
  2. Your Furnace Blows Chilly Air. Unless you’ve set your thermostat to COOL, your furnace should not blow cold air. …
  3. Does Your Furnace Short Cycle? …
  4. A No Glow Ignitor. …
  5. We Can Replace Your Furnace Ignitor.

How many feet away from the heating unit can you have a fuel oil tank?

NFPA 31 requires fuel oil tanks to be installed at least 5′ from any heat source.

What should you do if the resistance of the CAD cell is too high?

If the resistance of the cad cell is too high, you should: Replace the cad cell. Ignition transformers operate at high temperatures, which can cause cracking and moisture absorption, resulting in which of the following?

What might be the problem if the furnace runs but with short cycles?

A short cycling furnace can cause your home heating system to break down prematurely, which can be a big problem during the winter months. If your furnace is short cycling and you can’t seem to get the problem under control, contact the heating contractors at a professional furnace repair service today.

What two manual resets do all oil burners have?

58-20) What two manual resets do all oil burners have? Primary control reset and the oil burner motor overload manual reset.

Where is the flame rod sensor on a furnace?

A furnace flame sensor is a very basic part of your furnace. It’s located on the burner assembly and is just a thin metallic rod. It’s usually bent, and it sits just in front of the pilot flame inside the furnace.

What might be the problem if there are carbon deposits on the refractory?

Coal ash, the residual product that is left over after burning of the fuel, has a low fusion temperature and can react with iron oxides and form large carbon deposits in the refractory material. These large deposits can eventually cause a spall (loss of fragments or pieces) from the refractory surface.