What does 'overfiring' refer to in an oil burner?

Overfiring in an oil burner refers to operating beyond the designed capacity of the burner. This condition occurs when the burner is supplied with an excessive amount of fuel relative to what it was engineered to handle. When overfiring happens, it can lead to various issues such as increased production of nitrogen oxides (NOx), which contributes to air pollution, along with potential overheating of components, leading to equipment failure or unsafe operating conditions.

Maintaining the burner within its specified operating capacity is crucial for efficiency, safety, and longevity of the system. It ensures that the combustion process operates optimally, resulting in complete combustion and minimizing harmful emissions. Thus, controlling the fuel flow and ensuring the burner operates within its design limitations is essential for proper oil burner function.