PILOT BURNERS

Use the underlined links for more detail on our range of pilot burners.

• SBT Spark ignited pilots
• JMP Atmospheric pilots
• PB Atmospheric pilots
• AN and FR Pilot torches
• Technical hints

SBT - SPARK IGNITED BLAST PILOTS The SBT range of spark ignited blast pilots are similar in construction to the BB tips in the smaller sizes and use a special design in the SBT25 tip. The burners are made of stainless steel to withstand back heat and are supplied with a threaded outer shell and a special spark plug. Although mainly for use as pre mix type pilots on larger burners, they also can be used in a variety of situations where a reliable spark ignited burner tip is required.

BLAST PILOT COMPLETE ASSEMBLY

There are several models of blast pilot assemblies. They follow the same sizing and part numbers as above i.e. SBT25CA, 25mm outlet thread SBT pilot with the "CA" option.

The "CA" basic model has the SBT tip, the appropriate mixer and gas and air control valves. The "CAI" assembly includes the "CA" unit with an internal ionisation electrode. The "CAV" assembly includes the "CA" unit and a "UV" flame safety sensing unit mounted to the pilot. The "UV" can be protected from back heat with a quartz glass in permanent pilot situations. The "CAZ" assembly includes the "CA" unit, a zero governor for single valve flame adjustment and compensation for varying furnace pressure conditions and an observation port.

JMP - ATMOSPHERIC PILOT BURNERS

We have available a large range of pilot burners to suit any burner or situation. The JM industrial pilots produce larger flames than normal and have greater flame stability for arduous conditions. They can be used on atmospheric type burners such as pipe burners, in a grouping for high input gas installations or to provide ignition on blast type nozzles. These stable pilots are a desirable feature on pottery kilns  to provide a slow heat rise in the critical initial period.

JMPC - SPARK IGNITED JM PILOTS The JMPC unit includes the appropriate JM pilot fitted to a neat bracket with spark and flame sense electrodes. The pilot frame should be well earthed for best performance. Brackets are available to mount the JM pilots to burner heads and to securely clamp the safety thermocouple. The pilots are designed to be used on any clean gas, please specify the gas type and pressure when ordering. The standard pilot supplied, if type not stated, will be suitable for high pressure propane.

Capacities: L.P. Gas @ 70 kPa, drill .35mm. Natural Gas @ 1 kPa, drill .92mm.

PB - ATMOSPHERIC PILOTS

The PB range of economical pilots are suitable for most situations where a small pilot is required to relight a main burner. Although these would not be recommended for arduous industrial surroundings, there is a stainless steel shield available for more severe draft conditions. Please add "SS" to your selection if the shield is desired. The PB pilots are 2 and 3 flame pilots with a slot for the safety probe. The PBS pilot assembly has the addition of a spark probe and the PBK unit includes the basic pilot, ignition probe and a flame sensor.

ACCESSORIES

• A full range of safety probes in lengths from 220 to 1500mm.
• Insulated spark and sensor lead.
• Copper pilot tubing.
• Draft shields. 

PILOT TORCHES

AN PILOT

The AN pilot is an atmospheric pilot with a soft, stable flame designed to operate on low pressure gasses. The basic components are the AN tip, SPI inspirator, a length of mixing tube and a control valve. Various accessories are available including flex hoses, flame safety and auto ignition. Designed gas pressure from .5-15 kPa.

Note: Capacities are approx. only as this will depend on various factors such as gas type and pressure. The stated capacity would be for Natural gas at 1 kPa.

FR PILOTS

The FR pilots are similar to the AN pilots except these are designed for higher gas pressures from approx. 15-200 kPa.

Note: Capacity approx. only.

ACCESSORIES FOR AN AND FR PILOTS

• Flexible hoses
• Control valves
• Regulators and gauges
• Flame safety

For larger sizes please refer to the Industrial Torch Burner section.

PILOT ADJUSTMENT

This information is particularly relevant to all spark ignited pilots but also to low rate start burners. Generally premix pilots will achieve easier ignition and more reliable sensing than atmospheric pilots. Careful attention must be paid to the set up of the atmospheric pilot for reliability. Always check for the correct gas pressure, lack of severe drafts and earthing continuity before adjusting the pilot burner.

Flame stability

An ideal flame is stable and sitting back inside the burner tip. It is important for continuity of flame current that this is achieved however additional earthing area will compensate. It may be necessary in situations where sensing or ignition is not reliable to adjust the gas/air ratio to the pilot. In some cases the main burner, or continuous running of the pilot, can starve the pilot for oxygen due to insufficient secondary air to the pilot or cause instability in the pilot flame. This may be evidenced by a "floating" pilot flame or an intermittent lockout.

Ground/earthing area

There should be earth continuity from the burner bar to the flame programmer base. It is also important to have a ratio of at least 4 times the earthing burner area (burner area that is in contact with the flame) to the area the actual flame sense is in the flame. The sense must be kept clean from soot and dirt and contact maintained between the flame and the pilot tip. It may be necessary to weld/connect earthing wings made from suitable heat resistant material to the burner tip to increase the available area. This is common on lower gas pressure pilots.

Current requirements

Fit a micro ammeter in series with the flame sense and the flame programmer unit to check the flame current. A reading of 2 uA should be achievable on atmospheric pilots with higher values on premix pilots. Some programmers suitable for atmospheric burners will hold the flame in on only 0.15 uA.

Ignition

The ignition probe must be positioned approx. 3-5 mm from the pilot burner tip or the flame retention holes. Experiment with the spark position for the most reliable ignition. Generally higher gas pressure pilots ignite best near the flame retention holes and low pressure pilots closer to the end of the burner tip. The pilot bracket must be securely earthed to the programmer earthing bar for best ignition, do not rely on continuity through the main burner.

Check the probe ceramic insulation for cracks and the lead general condition. Damage to the flame programmer could result if the probe is shorted direct to earth.

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