Waste oil heat guns: species analysis + DIY instruction

A quick and easy method to increase the temperature in the room are various types of large heating units, which include heat guns on waste oil.

Such devices, which make it possible to heat even large spaces in a short time, are especially often used for heating workshops, garages, auto centers, other office and industrial premises, where a large amount of mining accumulates.

In this material we will consider in detail the principle of action of heat guns, their varieties. We will also give some popular equipment manufacturers and tell you how to make a heat gun with your own hands.

The general principle of the guns

By the term “heat guns” we mean mobile heat generators capable of quickly delivering high heat transfer.

Such devices received this name both for a specific elongated shape, and for a powerful jet of heated air coming out of a specially designed hole.

Schematic illustration of the design of the heat gun. In models powered by electricity, the fuel tank is replaced by a powerful heating element - a tubular electric heater

The principle of operation of various types of such devices is as follows:

• The main component of such devices is the heating component (heater, burner). It is housed in a metal case. The device starts to generate heat only after it is turned on or ignited.
• A powerful built-in fan drives a stream of air through the interior, the temperature of which rises when it contacts the heating component.
• The hot air mass is forced out through the nozzle of the gun outward, so that even a large room can be warmed up in a few minutes.

Various fuels can be used as fuel for guns: electricity, hot water, diesel fuel, liquefied gas, used mineral and biological oils. Depending on the fuel design used, the models may vary slightly.

Key Features

High-quality models of heat guns are characterized by the following characteristics:

• durability and reliability in operation;
• resistance to mechanical damage, temperature surges, corrosion;
• water resistance, due to which such heaters can be used for heating spaces with high humidity;
• durability - with proper operation, the devices can serve for 5-10 or even more years, without requiring special maintenance and repair work;
• large lineup; Manufacturers produce both small mobile heat guns used for domestic purposes, and large stationary devices, which are advisable to use for heating large spaces, for example, production shops or warehouses.

It should be remembered that you need to use heat guns in ventilated rooms with an air supply system or with the possibility of regular ventilation.

Power requirement

The main indicator of the device is its power, since the effective functioning of the device depends on it.

To determine the necessary heat transfer of the device, it is important to take into account simultaneously a number of indicators:

• The volume of the heated space, for the calculation of which it is enough to multiply its parameters (height, width, length).
• The difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
• The coefficient of heat loss, the value of which depends on the thermal insulation of the room. The average value of this indicator is 1-2, while the non-insulated building has a coefficient of 3-4, and a well-insulated house is 0.6.

The minimum value of the required power, indicated in kilocalories per hour, can be obtained by multiplying the above values.

To convert a specific number to kilowatts, it is enough to multiply the number by a factor of 0.001163. This value must be borne in mind when choosing a finished device in the store.

Features of the heat guns in development

The design of units operating on waste oils is generally similar to other types of guns. Their feature is a burner with an equipped combustion cup, to which fuel (engine or other oil) is supplied using a rotary pump.

The operation scheme of the heat gun for mining with supercharging and blowing, an external oil pump, two flues and a control unit

Under the influence of heating, combustible substances burn, and heat and combustion products are released, which are removed outside the premises through a chimney specially provided for these purposes.

Different models may have their own design features. One has two fans, one of which heats the combustion compartment, the other delivers fresh air to the chamber. In others, an external oil pump is used, with which fuel enters the combustion chamber.

As a fuel for thermal furnaces, it is also possible to use biological oils that have fallen into disrepair, in particular, hopelessly rancid deep fat

Oil guns are considered safe for people and pets. They can be used for heating garages, warehouses, greenhouses and other rooms.Permission to use them is not required, however, when applying them, fire safety rules must be observed.

Types of units for waste oil

Similarly to gas and diesel guns, mining devices can be of two main types: direct and indirect action.

For models of the first type (direct heating) inside the cylinder body there is a round gas burner, which is blown from all sides by an air stream flowing from the fan. The heated air mass together with the combustion products is discharged through a pipe located on the opposite side of the gun.

A gun with direct heating has a large heat transfer, however, during its operation harmful substances enter the room. Indirect action models lack this disadvantage

Since gaseous wastes contain substances harmful to human and animal health, guns are recommended to be used only in well-ventilated spaces. Direct heating devices can be used to maintain a comfortable temperature in uninhabited rooms: buildings, garages, workshops.

Designs of heat guns of the second type (indirect heating) are equipped with a built-in system that allows you to separate the flue gases released by burning oil. At the same time, heat from them is transferred to the air blown by the fan, which accumulates in the heat exchanger provided for this purpose, which avoids direct contact between the gas and the air masses.

After heating, the latter leave the heat-exchange chamber through a special opening equipped in the housing, while the combustion products leave the gun through the side pipe, which is connected to the chimney pipe.

Indirect heating models are environmentally friendly, when they are used, harmful gases do not enter the room, and there are no smells, which makes such devices suitable for heating rooms in the presence of people.

All heat guns in development can also be divided into the following categories:

• Stationary - devices of high power, which are installed in one place and connected to the chimney.
• Mobile - compact devices that can be moved around the room. As a rule, they have direct heating and low power, since devices with large-scale heat transfer emit a lot of combustion products.

Devices operating on waste oils vary in size, shape, design, and the presence of additional functions.

Advantages and disadvantages of guns for testing

Oil heaters have their positive and negative sides. Guns of this type have many advantages.

They are universal: thermal units can work not only on mineral oils (thermal, motor), but also on other types of fuel, for example, biological oil or a mixture of combustible substances. Only the use of transformer and other oils whose density exceeds 90 on the SAE scale is not allowed.

Heating devices, for the operation of which various used oils are used, make it possible to utilize the waste of transport fuel polluting the environment

They are cheap: used mineral or biological oil, which is used as fuel for such models of heaters, cannot be restored and is a waste product. It can be purchased at the lowest cost.

Devices have high efficiency. The efficiency of modern models of thermal devices can reach 100%.

Heat guns of various types are widely used both in everyday life and in the national economy. They are used for emergency heating of housing, maintaining a comfortable temperature in public and industrial buildings, greenhouses and greenhouses

When using indirect heating models, the device does not emit unpleasant odors, soot and soot, so the air in the room always remains clean.

But when burning fuel, carbon dioxide is emitted in the devices, the amount of which depends on the power of the device. Due to the high CO content₂ in exhausts with high heat transfer guns, it is advisable to “tie” them to chimneys through which the products of combustion are discharged, therefore high-power models for mining are almost always stationary.

Do-it-yourself gun

The design of the heat gun is quite simple, therefore, having certain working skills, you can try to assemble a similar unit yourself.

Homemade heater device

To perform the device yourself, you can use the simplified heat gun circuit. In the lower part of the structure there is a fuel tank, above which there is a fan and a working chamber. Fuel is supplied to the latter, while the fan pumps hot air into the room.

A self-made thermal device for development will cost much cheaper than purchased in a store, but its technical characteristics are slightly lower

In addition, the device provides a pump, a filter and a connecting tube through which fuel passes, an nozzle for the exit of combustion products, a pipe for heated air and a number of other elements.

Necessary parts and materials

Before starting work, stock up on materials or finished components of the device.

In the manufacture of a used oil heat heater, a sawed-off part of an old gas cylinder can be used as a housing

Heat gun housingfor which it is necessary to use thick-walled metal. As this part, for example, a suitable sized pipe section or other suitable product is suitable. You can also make the case from a sheet of thick stainless steel (3-4 mm) by welding a seam.

The combustion chamber. A metal cylinder is suitable for this part, the diameter of which is half that of a body.

Fuel tank. This element is a bowl made of a material with low thermal conductivity. An ordinary metal tank, carefully closed with a heat insulator, is also suitable.

The fan, which is necessary for the device of the thermal device for testing, can be purchased at the store or use the existing device, provided it is in good condition

Fan. To ensure simplicity and reliability of the design, it is preferable to use a reliable and economical 220-volt vane fan, which is characterized by its simple use and durability.

On our site there are several articles in which we examined in detail how to build a heat gun with our own hands. We recommend reading them:

1. Heat gun for different types of fuel.
2. Waste oil heat gun.
3. Diesel heat gun.
4. Thermal gas gun.

Mounting the device at the test site

First of all, you should take a pipe, cylinder or other outer shell of the device.

• At the bottom there is a heater and a fuel tank, which must be separated from the top of the device by a distance of 15 cm. To make this part of the device look neater, it can be hidden in a metal box.
• A combustion chamber is installed in the center of the free space, for which a galvanized pipe can be used. The compartment is sealed on both sides, after which holes are made in it for the nozzle and chimney. The combustion chamber is firmly fixed to the walls of the housing. It is desirable to equip the working compartment with piezo ignition, and also connect a fan to it.
• Next, you need to install a fuel pump with an injector by adding a filter between these parts. It is also important to organize the exhaust pipe from the tank through which the exhaust will enter the fuel filter and nozzle.
• It is also necessary to resolve the issue of fan power supply. If there is a power outlet within reach, this item can be plugged into an outlet. If not, you will have to use the battery.

Finally, cover the holes at the top with nets.

Tips for using heat guns

Experts recommend paying attention to the following points in the production of heating devices:

• When operating the device, safety rules must be observed: remember that at a distance of 1 meter from the device, the temperature of the heated air stream can reach 300 ^°WITH.
• To warm a room with an area of ​​600 square meters, just 10 liters of fuel is enough.
• To clean the evaporation cup, removing slag from mining, it is necessary once after 20-50 hours of operation of the device.
• Water should not be allowed into the fuel cell along with used oil or any other type of fuel. If a large amount of this liquid enters the tank, the burner may go out.

You should also not forget about fire safety rules: it is better not to leave home-made thermal devices unattended, as well as have a fire extinguisher or other device to extinguish a fire within reach.

Producers of heat guns in development

On sale you can find ready-made models of devices whose work is carried out on waste oil. They differ from home-made devices in aesthetic appearance, high efficiency, energy consumption, as well as high technical characteristics.

Modern models are equipped with electric ignition and automation, thanks to which you can adjust the fuel supply, urgently turn off the device in case of emergency, set various thermal conditions, adapt the unit to work on different types of fuel.

Devices operating on waste oils are produced by firms that are deployed in Europe, the USA, and Asia. We will name only a few reputable manufacturers and their top models.

Kroll - True German Quality

The well-known company, founded more than 30 years ago, is considered one of the world leaders in the field of heating equipment (burners, dehumidifiers, heat guns, generators).

Kroll models are affordable and small in size. Due to the minimum number of automation, their maintenance does not require sophisticated equipment and specialist assistance

The products of this brand, which have all the necessary Russian and European quality certificates, are distinguished by safety, efficiency, reliability, and also have an attractive design.

Master - a company with half a century of experience

A well-known American manufacturer, which is one of the leaders in the sale of thermal equipment, especially heat generators. The technical parameters of the proposed devices demonstrate record figures in the industry, while at the same time almost all options are compact and mobile.

The MASTER WA 33B stationary heater, which generates up to 30 kilowatts of heat, can work on any type of mining. The device is designed for manual ignition, wear-resistant and completely safe housing

The MASTER WA line combines a series of cost-effective devices that can work on almost any kind of spent fuel: motor and biological oils, hydraulic fluids. The power of the models included in the series varies from 19 to 59 kW, so that you can easily pick up a fixture for heating a space of a certain area.

EnergyLogic - waste oil heaters

An American company with 30 years of experience and dozens of patented innovations, pays particular attention to the production of boilers, burners, heaters and other equipment working on waste oil.

The EnergyLogic EL-200H has a fuel pump that enables precise metering of various types of fuel.It also has louvers for the exit of hot air, which can have a different arrangement

The products are mainly made of stainless steel, characterized by resistance to corrosion and excellent ability to withstand high temperatures. At the same time, standard parts are widely used on the market, which facilitates operation, simplifies installation and maintenance.

Hiton - low cost appliances

Polish company, the date of foundation of which is 2002.

The company specializes in the production of ecofuel heating appliances, including heat generators and heat guns that run on used engine oil.

Hiton heaters, the efficiency of which can reach 91%, are equipped with a fuel tank and a burner, are simple in design, do not require complicated installation, and function reliably for a long time

Heaters of this brand drip type HP-115, HP-125, HP-145, HP-145R can operate on used mineral oils, diesel fuel or a mixture of these two types of fuel, as well as vegetable oils.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

In the video below, you can get acquainted with detailed instructions on how to independently create a heat gun that works on mining.

A do-it-yourself heat gun manufactured in a store or purchased at a store will allow you to significantly save money on an energy source when using a substantially waste product - used motor oil.

When operating the unit, it should be remembered that it can become a source of fire, therefore it is advisable to comply with all fire safety rules and not leave the device unattended.

You can not decide on the choice of a heat gun or have questions about the construction of the device with your own hands? Please leave your comments, share experiences, ask questions in the block below.