Expert: Mike Fulcher - 6/3/2007

Question
how is the fuel density affects the formation of carbon soots while burning Furnace oil? I am working in a company and looking after the Thermic fluid heaters with Furnace oil fired. I have the problem of carbon soots deposition in the chimney. I would like to know whether density of Furnace oil affects the combustion process..? ?? hope you would sort out an answer for my problem

Answer
I'm not sure that the density will affect the formation of soot, but one things to try to reduce soot formation is decreasing the fuel-air ratio in your combustion process.  Soots will typically form when you have incomplete combustion of your fuel source.  On the flip side, if you introduce too much air you may run into corrosion problems downstream of your burner.