How Does The Babington Airtronic Burner Work?

The Airtronic Burner employs the unique Babington fuel-atomization technique to achieve high efficiency, reliable, smokeless operation.  The Babington atomization principle is shown in figure 1-4.  Fuel is supplied to the exterior surface of a hollow convex atomizer that contains a small, laser-cut aperture.  Fuel spreads out and covers the entire atomizing surface with a continuous, thin film, which flows over the exterior surface of the atomizer and the aperture contained therein.

Figure 1-4

As compressed air escapes through the small orifice, it ruptures a portion of the thin film that flows over the exterior surface of the atomizer.  This creates an ultra fine dispersion of liquid particles that are ideally suited to high efficiency, smokeless combustion. The portion of the liquid film not dispersed by the escaping air drains into a sump, where it is re-circulated back to the fuel supply system by means of a simple pump.

Fuel never passes through the orifice, just clean, filtered air.  This makes the Airtronic Burner insensitive to contamination, even if the fuel contains water, dirt, or other particulate matter.  In contrast, a conventional nozzle is subject to clogging because liquid fuel is forced internally through small openings.

The Airtronic Burner employs dual atomizers, as shown in figure 1-6.  This is a unique innovation in small, oil burners.  Two sprays converge in the flame tube to create an aerodynamic flame holder with excellent combustion stability.  A combustion air blower provides combustion air.  This air ventilates the atomizing chamber, where it co-mingles with the dual, mist-like fuel sprays leaving the atomizing tips.  Additional air is passed through the center of the atomizing chamber where it intersects the spray from the dual atomizers.  

Four louvers create a swirling combustion process within the flame tube where the dual sprays intersect.  The swirling action is stopped by staged blasts of air, which causes the fire to fill the entire flame tube.  This highly efficient fuel-air mixing process produces near perfect combustion, without smoke.  Ignition is achieved with a compact, low-energy, solid-state ignition transformer, so small in size and weight that it can be located inside the Airtronic Burner housing.

The major Airtronic Burner components are shown in figure 1-6.  A small, 75-watt motor powers the Airtronic Burner.  This double-shafted motor drives a blower wheel to provide combustion air; a simple compressor to supply atomizing air; and a self-priming fuel pump to deliver fuel to the atomizers.