How Oil Wick Heaters Work
Other People Are Reading
-
Function
-
Oil wick heaters contain a circular or semi-circular wick that is made from fiberglass or cotton. The wick is integrated into the burner unit of the oil wick heaters. The wick in the oil wick heaters works on the same basic principle as kerosene lamps. The wick is raised into the combustion area. As the wick is raised, it absorbs the oil or kerosene by capillary action, which means that it soaks the oil into its fibers much like a towel absorbs water off the floor or off your body.
Once the wick has absorbed the oil or kerosene, the wick is ready to be lit. A battery-operated ignition button or a match is used to light the wick. The initial lighting sequence will produce a small amount of black smoke. However, the black smoke should stop within 30 to 45 seconds after the wick has been lit. The design of the burner unit in oil wick heaters supplies oxygen to the wick so that it continues to burn without burning up the wick too quickly. Most oil wick heaters are specially designed to instantly withdraw the wick into a hollow area away from the oil when the heaters are tipped over.
Safety Issues and Warnings
-
There are several safety issues to remember when using oil wick heaters. The major concern is a fire hazard. Using gasoline instead of kerosene in oil wick heaters could be dangerous. Gasoline, when ignited, will explode. Also, the oil wick heaters could cause a fire if they are placed too close to furniture, paper, curtains and clothing. Oil wick heaters should be at least 36 inches (3 feet) from anything that could be combustible.
Using oil wick heaters in an unvented area could cause too many pollutants to be released into the air, thus causing breathing problems. Improperly operating heaters release soot, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide, which can eventually remove the oxygen from the room and cause asphyxiation.
-
-
