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Technology

Air Burner Comparison

Trench Burner vs. FireBox

To decide between a Trench Burner and a FireBox or BurnBoss, first consider your goal.

The primary purpose of an Air Curtain Burner is pollution control; in particular, the reduction of smoke from open burning. The high velocity air curtain traps the smoke particles momentarily causing them to re-burn and be further reduced. The air then continues into the firebox or trench to agitate and oxygenate the fire. The result is a burn that is cleaner and faster than open burning.

With a Trench Burner, the burning is done in-ground in an earthen pit that is dug on-site. This will work well, if the air curtain manifold is in the correct position (angle) and the walls of the trench are vertical. If either of these factors is compromised, the pollution control capabilities of the Trench Burner will be less effective.

With a Firebox and BurnBoss, the burning is done above-ground. The FireBox burn area is open to the ground on the bottom and lined on all four sides with castable thermo-ceramic walls. The FireBox comes completely assembled and requires no set-up. The burning operations are typically more efficient (faster and cleaner) in a FireBox compared with a Trench Burner, as the burn chamber does not rely on the accuracy of an earthen trench that is subject to deterioration.

Product Uses

Product Positive Negative
TRENCH BURNER
(i.e. Model T-300)
  • Highly mobile, can be towed with a Heavy Duty pickup truck, even at higher speeds on highway.
  • Lowest cost Air Curtain Burner.
  • Ash from burning is usually left in trench and buried.
  • Quick and easy set-up and tear down; one person can set up the unit in a few minutes without the use of machinery; no pipes or tubes to assemble.
  • A trench 10'-13' deep x 8' wide x 30' long must be dug for T300.
  • Rocks and roots can be a problem.
  • Trench walls must be "vertical" for pollution control benefits to be effective.
  • Trench must be dry; no water run-off or high water table.
  • The open trench can be very dangerous and must be fenced securely or guarded.

 
BURNBOSS
  • Highly mobile, can be towed with a Heavy Duty pickup truck.
  • Lowest cost Air Curtain FireBox Burner.
  • Ash from burning is easily discharged and buried.
  • Quick and easy set-up and tear down; one person can set up the unit in a few minutes without the use of machinery; no pipes or tubes to assemble.
  • Can be loaded by hand, if needed.
  • Designed for smaller operations in forestry, agriculture and disaster recovery, as throughput is limited.
FIREBOX
(i.e. Model S-327)
  • No assembly or set-up required, deliver the unit to the site and it is ready to be loaded and burn immediately.
  • Firebox is above-ground so ground water, rocks and roots are not a problem.
  • Machine can be "dragged" around the site for positioning or relocation.
  • Burn area is safer and more secure than a trench burner.
  • Vertical walls of firebox are castable thermo-ceramic.
  • Long useful life.
  • Heavy machines (i.e. Model S-327 = 54,600 lbs. & Model S-220 = 36,650 lbs.)
  • Large size; Model S-327, 9' 6" High x 11' 10" Wide x 37' 4" Long, oversize load on most roads. Model S-220, 8' 6" High x 8' 6" Wide x 30' 1" Long, a legal load on U.S. roads.