National and international standards for industrial burners play a fundamental and essential role in various industries. These standards serve as frameworks to guarantee safety, improve operational efficiency, and maintain product quality. Adhering to these standards is crucial for ensuring workers’ health and protecting the environment. In the modern industrial world, where technological advancements are occurring rapidly, adhering to these national and international standards for industrial burners is more vital than ever. Safe and efficient equipment not only helps reduce production costs but also mitigates harmful environmental effects.
Definition of Technical Standard by U.S. Department of Energy
Different definitions may be provided for technical standard by different organizations, but the comprehensive one is given by the U.S. Department of Energy which is as follows:
“A document that sets down a discretionary set of actions that must be accomplished to meet the purpose of the encompassing document. These actions are generally concerned with descriptions or steps that must be met to accomplish a specific task, such as classification of components, operation of equipment, enhancement of quality, or protection of personnel. They may also be used for procurement activities, such as specification of materials, products, or services in accordance with a specific set of conditions for delivery. Technical standards may only be made mandatory by direct reference in a requirements-type document, such as a contract, law, rule, or Federal agency directive.”
Industrial burners, which are widely used in heating systems, furnaces, boilers, and also in oil and gas industries, require adherence to precise standards for safe and efficient operation. These standards are especially vital for national and international guidelines governing industrial burners, as they contribute to higher manufacturing quality, reduced pollution, and enhanced safety of these devices. Adherence to these standards ensures not only the global consistency of products but also promotes the creation of more competitive markets. Compliance of an industrial burner with national and international standards can reflect the suitable design and performance quality, as well as high safety and limited emissions of harmful pollutants resulting from the operation of this equipment.
The main frameworks of national and international standards for industrial burners
National and international standards for industrial burners are among the essential requirements in the production and use of burners. These pieces of equipment, which are used in various industrial, commercial, and residential applications must be manufactured and installed according to precise technical and safety regulations to minimize potential risks to the environment and human health. Governments and global organizations have established regulations that mandate manufacturers to follow specific principles related to emissions, safety, and testing conditions.
International standards
International standards are recognized across different countries globally and are usually drafted with great care and strictness by reputable international organizations, making them particularly significant. EN 676, EN 267, ISO 22967, and ISO 22968 are among the most important international standards in the field of industrial burners.
1- The EN 676 standard
The European standard EN 676, known in the UK as BS EN 676, is one of the most important international standards used for gas burners with forced draught. This standard outlines the technical requirements for the design of gas burners, safety control equipment, and testing procedures for these burners. in accordance with national and international standards for industrial burners, CO emission level must not exceed 100 mg/kWh. The EN 676 standard applies to the following types of burners:
- Premixed and nozzle mix burners
- Single burner with a single combustion chamber
- Single-fuel and dual-fuel burners when operating with gas only
- The operation of gas section of dual-fuel burners designed to burn both gaseous and liquid fuels simultaneously
One of the notable parts of this article is the classification of burners NOX classes, which is shown in the table below.
According to this standard, the CO emission level, when the burner operates at the voltage specified in the instructions, must not exceed 100 mg/kWh.
2- The EN 267 standard
This standard is similar to EN 676 but is designed for liquid fuel burners with combustion air supply fans. Adhering to national and international standards for industrial burners enhances the quality and reduces emissions in liquid fuel burners. The EN 267 standard is applicable to the following situations:
- Single burner installed in a combustion chamber
- Single burner installed in equipment with additional requirements
- Single-fuel and dual-fuel burners operating with liquid fuel only
- The operation of the liquid fuel section of dual-fuel burners designed to burn both gaseous and liquid fuels simultaneously
In accordance with this standard, for a liquid fuel with viscosity of cSt 6/1 to cSt 6 at a temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, the CO and NOx levels must not exceed the values shown in the table below. The NOX and CO classes are determined based on the table below.
3- The ISO 22967 standard
This standard is intended for gas burners and is similar to the EN 676 standard. It also sets the defines the emission class of burners to reduce pollution and enhance efficiency. The NOx class of the burner in this standard is determined based on the table below:
4- The ISO 22968 standard
The ISO 22968 standard, titled “Forced Draught Oil Burners,” is used to determine the performance of burners in liquid fuel mode, and its scope is similar to that of the EN 267 standard.
In this standard, the emission classes are established according to the table below.
5- Safety and Control Devices for Burners and Appliances Burning Gaseous and/or Liquid Fuels
In addition to the standards related to industrial burners, various standards have also been developed to ensure the quality and performance of the auxiliary components of these burners, such as control systems, valves, and more. Some examples of European standards include:
- EN 298: Automatic burner control systems for burners and appliances burning gaseous or liquid fuels
- EN 161: Automatic shut-off valves for gas burners and gas appliances
- EN 13611: Safety and control devices for gas burners and gas burning appliances – General requirements
- EN 1854: Safety and control devices for burners and appliances burning gaseous and/or liquid fuels.
- EN 1643: Safety and control devices for burners and appliances burning gaseous and/or liquid fuels. Valve proving systems for automatic shut-off valves
- EN 14459: Safety and control devices for burners and appliances burning gaseous or liquid fuels – Control functions in electronic systems – Methods for classification and assessment
- EN 16340: Safety and control devices for burners and appliances burning gaseous or liquid fuels. Combustion product sensing devices
- EN 16304: Automatic vent valves for gas burners and gas burning appliances
- EN 16678: Safety and control devices for gas burners and gas burning appliances. Automatic shut-off valves for operating pressure of above 500 kPa up to and including 6 300 kPa
- EN 16830: Safety and control devices for burners and appliances burning gaseous or liquid fuels. Control functions in electronic systems. Temperature Control function
he above standards generally have ISO equivalents developed by the International Organization for Standardization; however, for brevity, references to them have been omitted in this article.
National standards for industrial burners
In addition to international standards, national standards for industrial burners in individual countries are also highly significant. In Iran, the National Standard Organization has developed standards such as 7594 and 7595, which are equivalent to the European EN standards. These standards also refer to the technical and safety requirements of burners in various industries.
National Standard 7595, titled ‘Forced Draft Gas Burners, Specifications and Testing Procedures’, corresponds to European Standard EN 676. It outlines the requirements for design, testing, and pollutant emissions of gas burners, such as natural gas and LPG, equipped with a blower. Similarly, The National Standard 7594 specifies the requirements for blower-operated liquid-fuel burners (such as oil). This standard is titled ‘Forced Draft Liquid-Fuel Burners: Features and Testing Procedures’ and is equivalent to the European Standard EN 267.
In addition to the standards related to industrial burners, various standards have also been developed to ensure the quality and operation of the components of these burners, such as control systems, valves, and more. Some examples of these European standards include:
- 10254: Automatic control systems for burners and appliances which operate with gas or liquid fuels
- 12771: Safety and control devices for gas burners and gas burning appliances – Specific requirements – Section 1 – Automatic Valves
- 12863: Pressure sensing devices for gas burners and gas burning appliances
- 15418: Control and safety devices for gas burners and gas burning appliances – Leak detection systems for automatic shut-off valves
- 22147: Control and safety devices for burners and appliances operating with gas or liquid fuels – Control functions in electronic systems – Classification and evaluation methods
- 22352: Automatic vent valves for gas burners and gas burning appliances
- 22353: Control and safety devices for gas burners and gas burning appliances – Automatic shut-off valves for operating pressures ranging from 500 kPa up to and including 6300 kPa
- 22891: Safety and control devices for burners and appliances using gas or liquid fuel – Control functions in electronic systems – Temperature control functions
- 6800: Automatic shut-off valves for burners and gas burning appliances
Adhering to national and international standards for industrial burners not only ensures greater safety of the equipment but also enhances their efficiency. These standards act as a guide for manufacturers to create burners with low emissions, long durability, and high safety. Manufacturers following these standards can confidently market their products globally and build consumer trust.
API standards and recommendations are among the key international standards in the oil and gas field. These standards set the requirements and guidelines for various equipment, including burners and centrifugal fans. One of the most frequently used API documents is the recommended practice API-RP-535. This document offers technical advice on fire heater burners used in petrochemical units.
In explosion-hazardous industrial environments, ATEX directives are used. These directives determine the equipment requirements based on the explosion risk level. Burners installed in such environments must adhere to ATEX directives, along with associated equipment like actuators.
National and international standards for industrial burners; the key to safety and quality in industry
In conclusion, national and international standards for industrial burners are not merely legal obligations for manufacturers but also serve as instruments for guaranteeing quality, safety, and environmental protection. Manufacturers committed to these standards can produce high-quality, safer, and more eco-friendly products, gaining a competitive edge in global markets. Consumers, in turn, enjoy the benefits of improved safety and performance by selecting standard-compliant products. Observing national and international standards for industrial burners promotes industrial progresses, contributes to environmental preservation, and reduces negative ecological impacts. Through mutual collaboration, manufacturers and consumers can contribute to a sustainable and secure future for various industries.
