Which of the conditions listed can cause the flame of a mechanically atomized burner to be blown away from the burner tip when you are attempting to light off?

Correct Answer: Option A — The diffuser is burned out.

A burned-out or missing diffuser destroys the essential low-pressure eddy zone at the burner throat. Without this stabilizing recirculation zone, incoming combustion air easily blows the flame away from the tip during light-off.