Abstract: A burner for burning crude or contaminated oil comprises a body defining a bore open at both ends, at one of which the oil is burnt, air being drawn into the flame through the bore, and an annular oil inlet in the bore wall such that air flowing through the bore to the flame will draw oil from the inlet in atomised form, will mix with it and will carry it into the flame. The burner is surrounded by an annular water ring provided with nozzles for spraying water into the flame.