Laser heater
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A laser heater is a type of kerosene heater. These heaters use an electronically guided system that burns the kerosene fuel highly efficient (almost 100%). As they produce almost no combustion exhaust gas and soot, they don't need an outlet for waste gases, making it safe for use indoors.
These modern home heaters are able to clean themselves and shut off when there is no oxygen left in the room for the burner to burn, making the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning very low. Temperature can be regulated very precisely.
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[edit] Mechanics
[edit] Pre-heating
Modern laser heaters use a button to ignite the fuel. A wick , a feature of old kerosene heaters, is not present.
When the button is pressed, the fuel is pre-heated. The time needed to pre-heat the fuel is dependent of the fuel temperature (cold kerosene will take longer to pre-heat that kerosene at room temperature).
After ignition, the temperature of the burner is raised to assure maximum efficiency of the heater.
[edit] Ignition
When the pre-heating process is completed, the combustion air is sent into the Burner. At the same time the fuel is sent from the Fuel Nozzle.
After ignition, the temperature of the Burner is raised to create high-efficiency combustion.
[edit] Temperatures in the burner element (stub)
The first stage of the burning process is burning the fuel at a temperature of 800 degrees celsius. Any combustion gas that is not fully combusted at this time, is heated at a temperature of approximately 1200 degrees celsius in the heating chamber.
Temperatures in the heating chamber can reach temperatures up to 1200 degrees celsius.
Efficiency of the laser heater is, therefore, highly optimised by burning any waste gases that would be otherwise released into air.
[edit] Ceasing operation
Pressing the button while in operation, the heater will cease to burn fuel.
[edit] Safety
[edit] Fuel
A purified type of kerosene is used as a fuel, low in sulphur. Other types of kerosene are not suited for any kerosene or laser heater.
In the United States the kind of kerosene is named as: 1-K kerosene. In Belgium, this is called 'petroleum type c'.
[edit] Diesel or gasoline
Diesel or gasoline fuel will destroy the heater in just a few seconds, or worse: make it catch fire.
[edit] CO and other harmful products
As modern laser heaters emit almost no Carbon Monoxide and other harmful exhaust gases, they are considered safe when enough ventilation is present.
Sensitive people, for example, people suffering from astma or heart problems, should be alert.
Portable heaters are currently considered not be a replacement for central heating.
