New York Low Pressure Boiler Certificate of Fitness (COF) Practice Test

What type of flame is produced when the proper amount of air is mixed with oil?

1. Yellow with blue tips

2. White with green tips

3. Orange with red tips

4. Blue with orange tips

The correct answer is: Orange with red tips

When the proper amount of air is mixed with oil, a blue flame is typically produced. The blue color indicates that combustion is occurring efficiently, with adequate oxygen supply, resulting in complete combustion of the fuel. This is characterized by a clean, efficient burn that minimizes the production of carbon monoxide and unburned hydrocarbons, which can occur in incomplete combustion scenarios. The presence of orange or red tips in a flame usually suggests incomplete combustion and can signify that there’s insufficient air or that there could be an issue with the fuel itself. Therefore, a flame that is primarily orange or red is not optimal and does not indicate the ideal conditions for burning oil with the correct air mixture. In the context given, the proper identification of a well-combusted flame when mixing oil with air would reflect efficiency and effectiveness in energy use, which highlights the importance of achieving the right air-fuel ratio for optimal performance in low-pressure boiler operations.