OIL HEAT 1 NORA SILVER EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
High Pressure Atomizing - ANSWER -100+ PSI fuel pump forces oil through a nozzle to
break (atomize) the oil into small droplets that are vaporized and burned in suspension
in the combustion area. Electrodes close to the nozzle supplies heat for ignition and a
fan supplies the air needed for combustion.
Flame Retention Burner - ANSWER -An oil burner, designed to hold the flame near the
nozzle surface. Strongly swirling air pattern recirculates combustion products for more
complete mixing of fuel and air.
Motor - ANSWER -Electric motor drives the fan and fuel pump. In the event of motor
failure, be sure to replace with motor of same rotation, frame size and RPM
Multiblade Fan + Air Shutter - ANSWER -A fan wheel within the burner housing that is
driven directly by the motor shaft and provides the necessary air to support combustion.
Fuel Pump/Fuel Unit - ANSWER -Driven by the motor shaft and attached by the burner
coupling. Three basic parts: 1. strainer: remove debris before oil enters the pump gears,
2. Pump: lifts oil from the tank to regulating valve, 3. Regulating Valve: builds up and
maintains proper pressure for atomizing oil.
Ignition Transformer/Solid State Igniter - ANSWER -Provides a "step up" from 120 volts
to 10,000 volts to produce a spark between electrode tips necessary to vaporize the
atomized oil and achieve ignition.
Nozzle Assembly - ANSWER -Aka the "drawer" or firing assembly, consists of nozzle,
nozzle adapter, electrodes, transformer connections and sometimes a flame retention
ring. Located in the air tube of the burner, access and removal from top, rear or side
Combustion Head - ANSWER -Aka Turbulator, fire ring, retention ring or end cone.
Creates a specific pattern of Sorto force oxygen into the oil spray.
Ignition point - ANSWER -Lowest temperature at which rapid combustion of a fuel will
take place in air. For No. 2 oil, the ignition point is over 500 F
Pour Point - ANSWER -The lowest temperature at which oil will just barely flow or be
pumped. Below this temp (17F) it turns into a waxy gel.
Cloud Point - ANSWER -The temperature below which diesel or biodiesel appear
cloudy owing to the formation of small crystals. The presence of these crystals thickens
the fuel and clogs filters and injectors, typically 10-20 degrees above the pour point.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
High Pressure Atomizing - ANSWER -100+ PSI fuel pump forces oil through a nozzle to
break (atomize) the oil into small droplets that are vaporized and burned in suspension
in the combustion area. Electrodes close to the nozzle supplies heat for ignition and a
fan supplies the air needed for combustion.
Flame Retention Burner - ANSWER -An oil burner, designed to hold the flame near the
nozzle surface. Strongly swirling air pattern recirculates combustion products for more
complete mixing of fuel and air.
Motor - ANSWER -Electric motor drives the fan and fuel pump. In the event of motor
failure, be sure to replace with motor of same rotation, frame size and RPM
Multiblade Fan + Air Shutter - ANSWER -A fan wheel within the burner housing that is
driven directly by the motor shaft and provides the necessary air to support combustion.
Fuel Pump/Fuel Unit - ANSWER -Driven by the motor shaft and attached by the burner
coupling. Three basic parts: 1. strainer: remove debris before oil enters the pump gears,
2. Pump: lifts oil from the tank to regulating valve, 3. Regulating Valve: builds up and
maintains proper pressure for atomizing oil.
Ignition Transformer/Solid State Igniter - ANSWER -Provides a "step up" from 120 volts
to 10,000 volts to produce a spark between electrode tips necessary to vaporize the
atomized oil and achieve ignition.
Nozzle Assembly - ANSWER -Aka the "drawer" or firing assembly, consists of nozzle,
nozzle adapter, electrodes, transformer connections and sometimes a flame retention
ring. Located in the air tube of the burner, access and removal from top, rear or side
Combustion Head - ANSWER -Aka Turbulator, fire ring, retention ring or end cone.
Creates a specific pattern of Sorto force oxygen into the oil spray.
Ignition point - ANSWER -Lowest temperature at which rapid combustion of a fuel will
take place in air. For No. 2 oil, the ignition point is over 500 F
Pour Point - ANSWER -The lowest temperature at which oil will just barely flow or be
pumped. Below this temp (17F) it turns into a waxy gel.
Cloud Point - ANSWER -The temperature below which diesel or biodiesel appear
cloudy owing to the formation of small crystals. The presence of these crystals thickens
the fuel and clogs filters and injectors, typically 10-20 degrees above the pour point.
