Scope
- Flue gas measurement: O₂ and CO measurement; calculation of CO₂, excess air ratio (λ), flue gas loss (qA) and combustion efficiency (η).
- Temperature and draught: flue gas temperature and chimney draught.
- Before and after tuning: measurement while the burner service technician adjusts the burner, with a comparison of both states.
- Boiler room: insulation losses (thermal camera), flow and return water temperatures, operating pattern of the boilers.
- Recommendations: air-fuel ratio, modulating burners, economisers, condensing boilers, insulation; estimated fuel savings.
Method and instruments
Measurements are taken through the test port in the flue while the boiler runs steadily; the probe is placed in the core of the gas flow and values are recorded once stable. For staged or modulating burners, low and high load are measured separately.
The instrument is the testo 310 II: O₂ and CO sensors with flue gas temperature and draught measurement; CO₂, λ, qA and η are calculated for the selected fuel (natural gas, LPG, fuel oil). Surface temperatures are measured with the Bosch GTC 400 C thermal camera and water temperatures with the testo 915i.
Regulations and standards
- EN 50379-1, EN 50379-2Requirements for portable analysers measuring the flue gas of heating appliances
- Regulation on the Control of Industrial Air PollutionFramework for statutory emission measurements (certified laboratories)
- Regulation on Competence for Environmental Measurement and AnalysisCompetence of laboratories performing emission measurements
Deliverables
- Measurement report: boiler and burner details, fuel type, measurement point; O₂, CO, CO₂, λ, qA, η, flue gas temperature and draught values
- Before and after comparison (where tuning was carried out)
- Thermal images and insulation losses
- Recommendations with estimated fuel savings (m³/year or kg/year and TRY/year)
Frequently asked questions
Is this measurement valid for an environmental permit?
No. Emission measurements for environmental permits are carried out by laboratories holding a competence certificate from the Ministry. Our measurement documents combustion tuning and efficiency.
Which boilers do you measure?
Natural gas, LPG and fuel oil fired hot water, superheated water and steam boilers and warm air heaters; any system with a test port in the flue.
What should combustion efficiency be?
It depends on the boiler type and load; the result is compared with the manufacturer's data and with earlier measurements of the same boiler. High O₂ (too much excess air) and high flue gas temperature are the two most common causes of losses.
Do we need to shut the boiler down?
No; the measurement is taken while the boiler is running. It is enough for the boiler room operator to be present so that the boiler can be run at different loads.