Boiler Conversion

Start by talking to the boiler manufacturers and ask for their advice and recommendations.

Do it early.

Thanks, I've started already.

Let us know what they say.

Yes, do contact the manufacturer but in the meantime here is some supplemental info for you:

We had an older 200HP Kewaunee 150LB diesel fuel boiler set up in a semi-trailer to steam barges prior to heavy oil transfers that we converted.

The manufacturer told us to do the following:

On the suction side of the fuel pump we installed a fuel/water separator and three spin on diesel fuel filters. I don't remember the part number on the filters but they were about 2 quarts each.

We had to change the burner nozzles to a larger orifice and we had to bump up the fuel pump regulator an additional 15 PSI.

Before adding the used oil to your tank, strain it as you are adding it with a fine mesh strainer or screen.

We ran a 75% fuel to 25% used oil mix.

The manufacturer will give you the specifics for your particular unit but will most likely tell you that doing this conversion will void any warranty that may be in force on your unit.

Good Luck!

Thanks KJK/USA,

This is more along the lines of what I expect to hear from the mfgr. and I wanted to be sure that it can be done without any MAJOR adjustments to the boiler unit or at astronomical cost.

The ideas so far are good. A further possibility is to heat the mixed oil, helping to reduce its viscosity to near the original #2 diesel viscosity. There are some fuel filter types that intercept water pretty well (I believe Racor is one).

Everything so far is fairly economical. If for some reason the used oil has heavy water contamination, that might need a centrifuge, which gets expensive.