In industrial projects there is always a moment where you realize that a standard burner is simply not going to solve the problem. On paper it might look sufficient. The capacity fits, the fuel type is listed, the emission class is acceptable. But once you start looking at the actual process conditions, you see that the reality is different.
Industrial installations rarely operate under stable and predictable circumstances. Fuel quality fluctuates. Biogas can vary significantly in calorific value. Residual gases may need to be incorporated into the combustion process. Emission limits are not only defined by European standards but also by local authorities who can impose additional requirements. And above all, the installation cannot afford downtime.
When fuel composition changes, flame stability becomes critical. A burner that performs perfectly on natural gas does not automatically behave the same way when low calorific biogas is introduced. If the calorific values are far apart, you must design for stability from the start. That means considering combustion chamber dimensions, airflow control, ignition behaviour and recirculation strategies before anything is built.
A catalogue burner assumes predictability. Industrial processes are rarely predictable.
In many projects we first sit down with the boiler manufacturer and the installer to discuss what is technically required. What type of boiler is selected, what is the furnace geometry, how will the system be operated, what are the emission targets, and how will fuel quality vary over time. Only when those parameters are clear can a burner configuration be defined that will perform reliably.
If you treat the burner as a separate component, you introduce risk. The burner is part of a boiler, the boiler is part of a process, and the process defines the demands. Everything is connected. If one element is standardized while the rest is not, performance will suffer. As we always say: the combination makes the result.
At Vitotherm, it’s not just about technology. It’s about people, solutions, and trust. Vincent Stringa understands that better than anyone. As a representative, he is on the road daily, speaking with companies about burner installations, service inquiries, and practical solutions. His work sits at the intersection of technology, advisory, relationship management, and generating new business through cold acquisition.
His role is broad, but one goal remains central: growing the Vitotherm name. Not only within horticulture, but especially beyond it. “I essentially focus on making the Vitotherm name known in the Dutch market. Beyond horticulture, now also in utilities and industry,” Vincent explains. In doing so, he helps the company explore new markets.
In conversation with Geert Willem van Weert, Managing Director at Vitotherm
When you think of Vitotherm, you think of industrial burners. But behind that technical product is an organization where preparation, flexibility, and craftsmanship take center stage. Geert Willem van Weert, Managing Director at Vitotherm and responsible for the operational realization of all projects, explains how the company distinguishes itself in a constantly evolving market.
In recent weeks, we’ve experienced snow, persistent cold, and now the thaw. For many systems, this was the first real test of the winter.
