What must be done to oil to prepare it to burn?

Atomization is the process of breaking down the oil into fine droplets, which is crucial for efficient combustion in oil burners. When oil is atomized, it increases the surface area available for the combustion process, allowing the fuel to mix with air more effectively. This creates a more complete and efficient burn, resulting in better heat output and reduced emissions.

While filtration, viscosity reduction, and heating are also important steps in preparing oil for burning, they serve different purposes. Filtration helps remove impurities and particulates from the oil, ensuring cleaner burning and preventing blockages in the fuel system. Viscosity reduction may involve thinning the oil to enable better flow through the burner, but it doesn’t prepare the oil for combustion directly. Heating the oil can also make it less viscous and improve flow characteristics; however, without atomization, the oil cannot effectively burn. Thus, while these steps are significant, atomization is the essential process that transforms the oil into a combustible form suitable for efficient burning in HVAC systems.