UEi Test Instruments SMART BELL PLUS KIT - Manual (Page 9)

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UEi combustion analyzers provide real time data that provides information on the condition of the combus-
tion process of your equipment. This information is needed for proper setup and maintenance to verify proper operation.
Benefits of combustion analysis are to increase efficiency thus reducing fuel costs, verification of proper combustion to
reduce future problems, and to check for safe operation. A combustion process out of balance can increase maintenance
needs, create excess emissions, lead to safety concerns or waste fuel and money. By checking for proper operation you are
able to confirm a job well done.
• This overview will explain some of the common terms used in combustion testing
– The combustion process – (a small amount of chemistry)
– Ideal combustion – you may have heard the term Stoichiometric (or not)
– Relationship between CO2, CO and O2
• The analyzer and display
– Various text and icons used on the front housing and in the display.
– What will the readings do when adjustments are made
– Where are you on the combustion curves from these readings
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What is really going on during combustion? Most of us know it as a fire that is generating heat and possibly
smoke. We know that paper or wood can burn when lit, and continue to burn – but what is really happening?
Combustion is a continuous chemical reaction that occurs when a certain temperature is reached, and there is the presence
of both fuel and an oxidizer. The most common fuels are hydrogen and carbon, and the typical oxidizer is O2 present in
the air we breathe. Once the reaction is started it will continue as long as it is being fed fuel and oxygen, and the tempera-
ture is sufficient.
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If a perfect condition could exist for combustion it would be the burning of pure hydrogen (H2) in pure oxy-
gen (O2). This would give us heat and water, and be the easiest to maintain. Two hydrogen (H2), combine with one O2
molecule gives us two water molecules plus heat. The reaction would be something like figure 1.
It is great in theory that we would have a very efficient system with only some heat losses from the water vapor, but
it isn’t very practical. Pure hydrogen and oxygen are expensive to create, and difficult to handle compared to other
fuels already available.
COMBUSTION BASICS
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