What controls the secondary air to a burner?

The control of secondary air to a burner is primarily influenced by the draft developed by the flue. This draft creates negative pressure, which pulls air into the combustion chamber, allowing it to mix with the gas being burned. An adequate supply of secondary air is vital for complete combustion, as it helps to optimize the efficiency of the burner and minimize emissions of harmful pollutants.

In systems where proper combustion is essential, the design of the flue and its ability to generate draft plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of secondary air that enriches the fuel-air mixture. The flue’s configuration, height, and the exhaust gases' temperature impact the draft's effectiveness, ensuring that the burner receives sufficient secondary air when operating.

While gas pressure, temperature readings, and burner design can affect the overall operation of the burner, they do not directly control the flow of secondary air in the same fundamental manner as the draft created by the flue. Thus, understanding how the flue draft interacts with the burner is key to mastering burner operation principles.