BurnerMate Universal Control System

The BurnerMate Universal (BMU) is a total boiler control system designed for both firetube boilers and watertube boilers. Utilizing the latest technology in microprocessors to give you the highest quality in combustion control for your boiler room.  Separate processors are used for flame safeguard and combustion control for NFPA 85 compliance. Configuration is done in the field using the LCD touchpad, the optional touch screen, or our exclusive BMU_Edit software running on your PC. The BurnerMate Universal is available for immediate delivery, requires no programming, and is U.L. recognized.

Features

  • Advanced flame safeguard control including first out annunciation
  • Combustion control using up to ten servos and up to four Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
  • Feedwater and Draft Control
  • Large 10" color touch screen available

 

 

  • Overview
  • Application
  • Specifications
  • Documents
Overview

BMU Functions Include:

  • Advanced flame safeguard control including first out annunciation, nuisance trip protection, and lockout snapshot
  • Combustion control (jackshaft, parallel positioning, with optional oxygen trim) utilizing up to ten servos and up to four Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
  • Draft control
  • Feedwater control: single, two-element, or three-element
  • Large 10” color touch screen with pre-programmed graphic pages

Advanced Flame Safeguard Control

 The BMU accepts over forty boiler limits into separate digital inputs and supports first out annunciation easy, as well as advanced diagnostics to quickly pinpoint why a boiler tripped and what needs to be done to bring it on line again. One or two flame scanners can be used for added reliability and increased boiler safety.

Digital Communication

 The BurnerMate Universal communicates via a secure, safety rated digital protocol with the required LCD keypad and the servo network. The BMU chassis communicates via Modbus to the optional touchscreen OIT and optional CommStation OIT-Bridge. Both the touchscreen OIT or OIT-Bridge act as protocol converters and can speak Modbus, Modbus over Ethernet, or a number of other open digital protocols to a Building Automation System (BAS) or Energy Management System (EMS). Both the touchscreen OIT and the OIT-Bridge are supplied pre-loaded with over 75 standard graphic pages. Boiler overview screens can be field-selected to resemble the boiler being fired. Fuel Air Ratio Control: The BMU supports up to ten single point positioning (jackshaft) combustion control and parallel positioning combustion control. Oxygen trim can be added to either control strategy by adding a Preferred ZP probe. A link trim actuator (LTA) can be used to vary the air output in a single point positioning system. Fuel valves and air dampers are controlled by high precision (0.1° accuracy) digital electric servos. Each digital servo includes a microprocessor and all servos are networked to the BMU chassis.

Boiler Control Functions

Many of the most common boiler control functions are incorporated in the BMU. This simplifies the control system and often eliminates the need for additional relays, timers, or other control hardware mounted in the burner management system enclosure. Additionally, the BMU accepts hard-wired inputs for burner off/on and remote firing rate that makes it easy to integrate with the Preferred Chief Dispatcher lead/lag sequencer.

High Precision Digital Electric Servo Motors

 The servo motors provided as part of the BurnerMate Universal are unique to Preferred. The BMU communicates digitally with a microprocessor controller board in each servo. The controller board precisely positions the servo motor and performs continuous diagnostics for safety. A high precision, sealed feedback potentiometer continuously reports the servo position to the controller board and back to the BMU chassis. The controller board includes pushbuttons for ZERO, CW, and CCW “jogging” of the servo motor. In addition, LEDs provide important diagnostic information for each servo motor. Torque ratings for the servo motors start at 3 ft-lb for small control valves and go up to 720 ft-lb for large air dampers or stack dampers.

  • Optional 10" color touch screen contains over 75 pre-programmed graphics pages.
  • Flame scanners available in UV, IR, and UV self-check.
  • Servos available up to 720 ft-lb torque for large FD fan damprs and stack dampers.
  • Interfaces with optional zirconium oxide oxygen probe for oxygen trim control and increased fuel savings.
  • Drives up to four Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) for electricity savings.
  • Interfaces with the Preferred Chief Dispatcher plant master, lead/lag controller.

Digital Inputs & Outputs

All digital inputs to the BMU are 120 VAC from industry standard switches and contacts. Each of the most common boiler/burner limit switches is pre-assigned to a particular digital input. Spare limit inputs are provided.

Auxiliary Relays

Five relay outputs are available, each configurable for the following functions: common alarm, auxiliary fan starter, fuel 1,2,3 auxiliaries, common auxiliaries, limits made, outside air louvers, hot water pump/valve, LWCO auto-blowdown valve, flame on, fuel 1,2,3 open. Relay outputs are rated 120 VAC 5 amps and are configured by parameter selection.

Flame Scanners

The BurnerMate Universal system includes a line of Preferred Instruments flame scanners. Digital, microprocessor-based scanners are available in ultraviolet (UV) infrared (IR) and self-checking UV models. Flame detector and amplifier are integrated into the scanner head to eliminate the need for separate (panel-mounted) scanner amplifiers. Scanner housings are machined from anodized aluminum. Scanner mounts are 1/2” NPTF for the UV and IR versions, and 1” NPTF for the self-checking UV model. Each scanner includes a 1/8” NPTF cooling air port for hot or dirty applications. Scanners include two LEDs--one blinks intermittently depending on the intensity of the flame signal, the other LED illuminates when the scanner closes the “Flame Detected” relay output. Electrical connection is by a threaded military-style quick disconnect. The scanners output a 4-20 mA flame strength signal and a contact closure for flame proving. One or two scanners can be connected to a single BMU controller. All scanners include the same pinout and military-style quick disconnect for easy scanner change out. The BMU can be used with any flame scanner, or scanner/amplifier combination that produces a contact closure when flame is proven.

Windbox Oxygen FGR Control

The BMU uses this proven method as an effective means of ensuring repeatable FGR flow.

Atomizing Steam Pressure Control

 The BurnerMate Universal controller monitors atomizing steam pressure, and modulates an inexpensive quarter-turn flow control valve to deliver virtually any steam pressure required at any firing rate. Alternately, an atomizing steam/oil differential pressure transmitter can be used and the BurnerMate Industrial will hold the steam/oil differential pressure “on curve” at all firing rates.

Fuel Flow Meter Display and Totalizing

 To monitor and track fuel usage (and savings) the BMU displays and totalized fuel flows for up to three fuels. Fuel flows are also available on Modbus to communicate with a plant Energy Management System (EMS)

Analog Communication

The BurnerMate Universal accepts industry standard 4-20 mA, 0-5 VDC, 1-5 VDC, thermocouple, and thermistor inputs. Analog inputs are self-powered by the BMU. Engineering units, or scaled values are entered by parameter selection during the BMU setup. Analog outputs are 4-20 mA and are available only for the devices shown above. All other outputs are on the BMU servo network.

Application

The BurnerMate Universal (BMU) is designed to control single burner firetube boilers and watertube boilers. Large servos (up to 720 ft-lb) can drive the largest FD fan dampers and stack dampers.

The BMU is available as part of a U.L. listed package with most of the leading gas and oil fired burners. It is ideal for controls retrofits for existing burners. Fuel savings is accomplished with parallel positioning combustion control with optional oxygen trim. Electricity savings is provided by the ability to control up to four Variable Speed Drives (FD fan, ID fan, FGR blower, and feedwater pump motor.

In addition to flame safeguard and combustion control, the BMU includes optional draft control and feedwater control.

The BurnerMate Universal communicates to Building Automation Systems by Modbus or optional Ethernet.

Because it is microprocessor-based and pre-engineered, the BMU is an economical alternative to more expensive PLC-based boiler controllers. The parts are in stock for immediate delivery and require no programming.

Specifications
Documents

BurnerMate Universal Specification

BurnerMate Universal PowerPoint

Instuments and Controls Brochure

BurnerMate Universal Manual

BurnerMate Universal Cutsheet

BurnerMate Universal O&M

BMU-Edit Software

Cleaver-BrooksTM BMU Retrofit Manual

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