Gas fittings, blower and control from a single source

For single-family and multi-family homes, eco-friendly gas will remain a popular heat gener­a­tion medium in the future. The cost-benefit ratio for a modern, low-pollu­tant gas heating system remains unbeat­able. To make the problem of matching the indi­vidual compo­nents easier for the devel­opers of gas heating systems, complete pack­ages comprising blower, gas metering system (gas fittings or multi­func­tion controls) and control unit are the best choice. Here, the indi­vidual controls within the overall gas metering system are opti­mally matched. They reli­ably comply with all emis­sions limits across the entire power range of the gas heating system and guar­antee econom­ical oper­a­tion.

As a supplier for modern heating systems, ebm-papst has long offered the latest blower tech­nology for gas burners. In order to satisfy the stricter require­ments regarding the quality of combus­tion, engi­neers now prefer a complete range of all neces­sary compo­nents from a single source. With the acqui­si­tion of the multi­func­tion gas control divi­sion of Dungs, the exten­sive product range now also includes gas fittings for control­ling the combus­tion air and the gas feed in the power range up to 80 kW.

The mixture is the key

Optimum combus­tion is only possible if the volume of gas exactly matches the volume of oxygen in the combus­tion air. In prac­tice, this so-called mixture has to be main­tained as precisely as possible over a broad control range of the burner. Too much gas means unburned parti­cles such as carbon monoxide (CO), energy loss and toxic exhaust fumes. Too little gas means that too much air is being heated unnec­es­sarily. This also causes valu­able energy to disap­pear up the chimney. Gas metering does not depend on the type of heating system. Regard­less of whether the blower burner uses forced air venti­lation or if it is an atmos­pheric burner: both the gas feed volume and the mixture with fresh air always have to be right.
The solu­tion to the problem can be approached in many different ways. Elec­tronic control systems with air volume and air mass sensors are just as possible as the tried and tested venturi nozzles, which use a vacuum to mechan­i­cally control the gas feed. While the fully elec­tronic control systems from the ebm-papst product range offer the optimum solu­tion for special cases, the tried and tested, pneu­mat­i­cally regu­lated multiple gas controls are first choice for a reli­able, inex­pen­sive, modern heating system. Again here, the right match means that there is no need to fear compro­mise in terms of comfort, cost-effec­tive­ness or envi­ron­mental protec­tion. The prin­ciple of “every­thing from a single source” is a guar­antee for the user that he will get matching compo­nents that are exactly tailored to his spec­i­fi­ca­tions. You know who the respon­sible person is if there are any diffi­cul­ties and “the ball” is not passed back and forth between several different suppliers. That is an advan­tage for quick problem reso­lu­tion that cannot be under­es­ti­mated.

Gas metering made easy

Even if all multi­func­tion gas controls employ the same oper­ating prin­ciple, there are still substan­tial differ­ences in design. Funda­men­tally, all devices work on the basis of the venturi nozzle. Like in an engine carbu­rettor, the speed of the gas flow is increased by narrowing the cross-section. Here, preser­va­tion of momentum means that the pres­sure of the fast-flowing medium is reduced. While the carbu­rettor uses this depres­sion to draw in fuel, the gas control unit uses it to actuate a valve. A highly sensi­tive match means that the right amount of combus­tion gas is always fed into the combus­tion air, and this is done purely mechan­i­cally.
Different systems are needed to precisely regu­late heating systems of up to 80 kW, such as those that are commonly employed in single-family and multi-family homes. The fact that a controller for a blower burner needs a different design to an atmos­pheric burner, which works with much lower air speeds, is obvious. But even within each design, vari­a­tions are possible with an addi­tional elec­tro­mag­netic valve control system. This makes safety, comfort and low-pollu­tant combus­tion possible in all load ranges and with different boiler designs.

Prac­tice-orien­tated product range

The product range for the multi­func­tion gas control divi­sion contains two main groups, the Whirl­Wind system and GasBloc. The former is a fully inte­grated gas/air composite system that combines control and safety. Despite the greater power density, it features a large modu­la­tion range, making it suit­able for sensi­tive power adjust­ment. The GasBloc system is also designed for single- or multi-stage or modu­lating oper­a­tion of atmos­pheric burners or for premixing and blower-supported burners. Depending on the design, the igni­tion flame, the starting gas volume and other para­me­ters can be cali­brated to the boiler. All multi­func­tion gas control units are compliant with EC type-exam­i­na­tion certifi­cates pursuant to the EC equip­ment direc­tive.
For the modern, econom­ical gener­a­tion of heat in the house­hold, gas heating will continue to set the stan­dards in the future. Comfort, envi­ron­mental protec­tion and low costs are only possible if the gas metering is prop­erly adjusted for the appli­ca­tion concerned. A broad product range from a single source will help both users and manu­fac­turers of gas heating systems to achieve the best possible match.

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