Question of the week 6/7/2015

[jshishilla (John Shishilla)]

Here’s how it works:
Must be an interNACHI member to win.

The Awards Committee panel member posts a question in the Education and Training section, once per week at a random time on a random day.

**All parts of the question must be answered in one post. You may not post more than once. ** The first(and only) post counts, get it right the first time.

Do not edit your posts as the Awards Committee can see that time stamp in the edited post…it just makes our sorting it out more cumbersome.

First correct answer (as judged by the question poster, and the award committee) wins. The lucky winner gets one case of “Now that you’ve had a Home Inspection Books” shipped to you. Courtesy of Nick G. Your prize will be shipped to the address on file.

“Question of the Week 6/7/2015”

What does a yellowish flame in a furnace indicate? While a collection of soot indicates what?

[dasselin (David Asselin)]

A yellow flame indicates dirt in the burner, which prevents it from mixing the gas and air properly.

Soot indicate incomplete combustion

David

[jgreen3 (Jeff Green)]

Yellow flame is a bad mixture of fuel and oxygen. Soot is an indication the gas is not all being burnt often indicating a leaking heat exchanger.

[dasselin (David Asselin)]

I would like to add that a yellow flame can also indicates high CO production. One cause– insufficient primary air opening.

Soot indicate incomplete combustion and can be very dangerous.

[mgratton (Marcel Gratton, CMI)]

A yellow flame is an indication of a lack of oxygen while soot build-up is an indication of too much oxygen.

[nsnook (Nate Snook)]

Yellow flame is caused by flame impingement regardless of the source (dirty burner, misalignment or anything cold in path of the flame)
Soot is the result of unburnt carbon.

[kramm (Kenneth A. Ramm)]

1. If burning natural gas, it means that the burner is dirty and not getting enough air.
   If burning propane gas, there will be a yellow “tip” to the flame, this is normal.

2. There maybe a back pressure problem in the combustion chamber/ inadequate combustion chamber air supply therefore resulting in a carbon monoxide problem.

[jshishilla (John Shishilla)]

@dasselin

I would like to add that a yellow flame can also indicates high CO production. One cause– insufficient primary air opening.

Soot indicate incomplete combustion and can be very dangerous.

You can not add to your answer.

[jshishilla (John Shishilla)]

@dasselin

A yellow flame indicates dirt in the burner, which prevents it from mixing the gas and air properly.

Soot indicate incomplete combustion

David

But this first answer is correct, You win David Asselin

What does a yellowish flame in a furnace indicate? Insufficient primary and secondary air

While a collection of soot indicates? , inadequate secondary air.

A yellow flame typically indicates an incorrect air-fuel mixture. This is usually the result of clogged orifices in the burner tubes.

A yellow flame indicates that there is no mixture of natural gas and required air for the combustion process.

If you are burning natural gas, it means that the burner is dirty and not getting enough air. If left untreated it will lead to soot and possibly carbon monoxide problems.

A common indicator of a combustion problem is when the flames inside the furnace are burning with a yellow or orange flame. Flames should be blue, not yellow. The burners are not getting hot enough to burn off the gas properly. You may also want to check your air filters for black deposits, because this could be a sign of soot buildup in the furnace as well.

[lkage (Larry Kage, CMI)]

@jshishilla

But this first answer is correct, You win David Asselin

Congrats David!

[rwelch (Reece D. Welch)]

Either one indicates that I’ve inadvertently traveled too far north and am no longer within my 60 mile radius in SW Florida.

[dasselin (David Asselin)]

WOohoo! Thanks,

David

[lkage (Larry Kage, CMI)]

…

[kramm (Kenneth A. Ramm)]

Good Job David!!!