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Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 10:21 am
by Lightning
I got brave today and put 2 big holes in the face of my furnace. This is my secondary air distribution system. I used metal electrical conduit for pipes with caps in the back and compression fittings on the face. I did the math and found that 25 quarter inch holes have the same area as a 1.25 inch pipe. I made 24 quarter inch holes spaced an inch apart down each side of the pipe. Just installed it today after putting on a fresh load of coal while the furnace was cooled down. I feel a little dizzy, I might have taken on some CO working in the firebox. fhnrud bbnhh$$%*^#*#kfnd Maybe I just need some breakfast lol.. I'll post observations over the next few days.

I need everyone to put on their thinking caps. My well thought out plan didn't include a way to regulate air. What can I do for regulating secondary air on the pipes?? I have about a quarter inch of threaded pipe protruding the face of the furnace to attach something to if needed. Any ideas?

:help2:

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 10:27 am
by nortcan
WOW. Very nice :idea: :idea:

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 10:38 am
by Lightning
OMG this awesome.. The fresh load just caught and I can see the fresh secondary air coming in thru the holes as it mixes and ignites with the volatiles.. Neat! I'll have to get some video going 8-)

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 10:42 am
by Lightning
My furnace over the load door is at 290 degrees. I've never seen it this high with my previous method of propping the door open a hair while burning off volatiles. Wow

More of the available oxygen is being used for sure!

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 10:58 am
by SMITTY
Ahh now I understand what your doing here! I was confused at first ... :lol:

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:04 am
by Sunny Boy
Cool idea, for making it hotter !

Is it too hot at the outboard end of the pipes for plumbing ball valves ? Would be easier to see how open they are by the position of the lever type handles. 90 degrees is fully closed while handle in-line is fully open, etc.. However, there's a nylon ball seat in most that shouldn't get much over 250 degrees.

Paul

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:06 am
by dcrane
wow this is great bro! where is the secondary air being pulled from?" (where do the other end of those pipes go to?).... from zero secondary air to start with, your going to notice a huge difference on temps over the firebed, it would be nice if they pulled the air from as low as possible and had variable control (some way to limit the intake). GET SOME VIDS!

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:07 am
by Lightning
SMITTY wrote:Ahh now I understand what your doing here! I was confused at first ... :lol:
Yes sir, I am attempting to distribute over the fire air evenly over the coal bed instead of it just aimlessly coming in thru the load door vents or in from the back. You can see on the pictures above a little box looking thing up high in the back of the firebox, that's where my secondary air WAS coming in..

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:12 am
by oldsch
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/steel-rain- ... _vc=-10005

just an idea... would have to rig a way to hold it open

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:13 am
by Lightning
dcrane wrote:wow this is great bro! where is the secondary air being pulled from?" (where do the other end of those pipes go to?).... from zero secondary air to start with, your going to notice a huge difference on temps over the firebed, it would be nice if they pulled the air from as low as possible and had variable control (some way to limit the intake). GET SOME VIDS!
Secondary air is being pulled in thru the front of the furnace.. Look at the pic above where the new pipes are mounted, one on each side of the load door. The back end of the pipes are capped. Yes, I need a way to regulate air going in thru each 1.25 inch pipe at the front. Air is being fed in about an inch or so over the top of the coal bed. 8-)

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:14 am
by Lightning
Sunny Boy wrote:Cool idea, for making it hotter !

Is it too hot at the outboard end of the pipes for plumbing ball valves ? Would be easier to see how open they are by the position of the lever type handles. 90 degrees is fully closed while handle in-line is fully open, etc.. However, there's a nylon ball seat in most that shouldn't get much over 250 degrees.

Paul
Thanks!! I'll consider this too!

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:15 am
by Lightning
oldsch wrote:http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/store/steel-rain- ... _vc=-10005

just an idea... would have to rig a way to hold it open
Right, all ideas welcome, they may spark a solution!! Thank you :D

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:16 am
by SMITTY
Maybe you could make a screw type adjustment similar to Harman's air intake system, only on a smaller scale?

Use a large air compressor drain valve maybe? You could adjust it with your fingers easily ... :idea:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=compres ... 2nntygax_b

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:17 am
by Lightning
nortcan wrote:WOW. Very nice :idea: :idea:
Thank you Nortcan.. I hope the metal conduit can handle the heat lol.. Otherwise its back to the drawing board :lol:

Re: Secondary Air Distribution System

Posted: Tue. Nov. 26, 2013 11:17 am
by Sunny Boy
Is that one inch conduit ? If so, 3/4 inch fits rather nicely inside it. You could make them into rotary sleeve valves by having 3/4 conduit inside the 1 inch.

Drill matching holes from the 1 inch into the 3/4 inch. With the 1 inch tubes fastened in place so they don't move, when the 3/4 inch tubes are turned they will start to close off the 1/4 inch holes because of the holes going out of alignment. That will restrict all the holes in the pipes equal amount at the same time. ;)

Edit, ok, I see your using 1-1/4 inch. How snug does the 1 inch fit inside it ?

Paul