Open draft hood furnace control using induced draft blower and exhaust stack flow rate sensing

摘要

Apparatus is provided for modifying an open draft hood furnace and its control system, to produce an induced draft furnace having increased efficiency. A blower located in the furnace exhaust stack is used to induce movement of air and combustion products into and through the draft hood. A flow-limiting orifice located in the exhaust stack upstream from the blower causes a region of reduced pressure to exist downstream from the orifice. A pressure signal representative of the flow rate of exhaust stack gases is sensed on the downstream side of the orifice and is communicated by a conduit to a pressure switch connected to a gas valve, which together control gas to the burner. No gas is permitted to flow to the burner unless a predetermined reduced pressure level is achieved at the downstream side of the orifice. A small opening in the conduit permits a small flow of flushing air to enter the conduit.