The flame-start system is a
cold start aid for starting
diesel engine
The diesel engine, named after the German engineer Rudolf Diesel, is an internal combustion engine in which Combustion, ignition of diesel fuel is caused by the elevated temperature of the air in the cylinder due to Mechanics, mechanical Compr ...
s at low ambient temperatures. It reduces the white smoke emission after the engine is started. In addition, it reduces the strain on the
starter motor
A starter (also self-starter, cranking motor, or starter motor) is a device used to rotate (crank) an internal-combustion engine so as to initiate the engine's operation under its own power. Starters can be electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic. T ...
and
batteries by shortening the start-up time.
Usually, the suction intake air is heated up in commercial vehicles to improve the starting capacity and emissions. The heating power requirement in large capacity diesel engines leads here to the use of flame starting systems, with a small diesel burner in the air intake acting as a heater.
References
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Starting systems
Diesel engine components